ROLAND/RICHARD BRACKETT 1610-1690

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of Hannah Polina Child (Elmer), daughter of Polly Barber (Child), daughter of Ichabod Barber, son of Mary Barney (Barber), daughter of Israel Barney, son of Elizabeth Brackett (Barney), daughter of Josiah Brackett, son of Roland Bracket.]

The inscription of Richard's stone reads: ""Here lyeth buried ye body of Captain Richard Brackett Deacon Aged 80 years Deceased March 5 16and90". This photo was found on Findagrave.com. Alice, Richard's wife, has no marker but it is believed she is buried near her husband.

Birth: September 16, 1610, Sudbury, Suffolk, England
Death: March 5, 1690, Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA

Captain Richard Brackett was one of the first of the name in America. With certainty it is known that he was in the colony of Massachusetts Bay as early as 1630. Richard Brackett died March 5, 1690 "after an eminently useful, active and pious life." He is buried in the north precinct of Braintree; now Quincy.

On the stone you can read: "Here lyeth buriedye body ofCap. Richard BrackettDeaconAged 80 yearsDecd March 516and90"

His wife, Alice (Blower) Brackett, was his lifelong companion from the time of their marriage. Her death occurred in 1690. No stone marks her place of burial but it is presumed that it is near Richard's grave. This appears to be part of the original stone but appears to have been set in cement or affixed to another stone. His son James is also set next to his.

In the year 1629, the year they probably came to America, Richard was only seventeen years old. There is his oath of affidavit on July 2, 1668 that he is 56 years old. If this is true he was born in 1612. His tombstone reads: "Died March 1690 80 Years Old"; if this is true he was born in 1610. This is important as it bears on the question of whether or not he was accompanied to America by a guardian. It is believed that Peter was his elder brother and his guardian.

Captain Richard enjoyed the confidences of the ruling, Puritan, power of the colony at an early age. He agreed with them on all matters pertaining to religion and politics. He took a decided stand with a large majority of the people of Braintree. His life can be described as typical in quite all particulars pertaining to his conduct as a man and a religionist. The mundane rewards, which were his to enjoy, seem to have been quite all the honors and favors that fall to one who followed rather than led. He followed closely on the heels of those who led. He seems to have gotten his fair share of those favors the colonists had to divide amongst themselves. He seems to have been very successful in his undertakings and to have possessed a good mind at the time of his death.

On August 27, 1630, he was among the colonists that were instrumental in and with whom Governor Winthrop organized the First Church of Boston, the instrument is dated at Charlestown. Mr. Jeffery Richardson, a descendant of Captain Richard, wrote in his Brackett Genealogy, in 1860, that the church structure "was at first a low thatched-roofed building which was soon removed and one was built where Brazier's building is". Captain Richard remained with this church for twelve years; he then removed to Braintree. Under the date of September 8, 1635 one can read in the church records that "Alice; wife, of our brother Richard Brackett, signed the Covenant.

He was but twenty-three years old in 1635 and had probably been with the Church for a short time when his wife joined the Church. They were married, in St. Katherine by the Tower, in London in 1633/34. His wife's maiden name was Alice Blower. He was admitted freeman in Boston May 25, 1636 and on November 23, 1636 he became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Prior to March 21, 1636 he was granted a lot upon which to build. His choice was limited to lots "not being built upon (and) is free to be otherwise disposed of". He made the selection of a lot now on Washington Street (1860), nearly midway between the present West and Boylston Streets. He erected a house about which was a garden and there resided until about November 20, 1637. He was then appointed by the General Court to be the keeper of the prison. His salary and prerequisites were thirteen pounds and six pence, increasing to twenty pounds June 6, 1639. He was also given the use of a dwelling house. The following year he sold his property on Washington Street. In volume one, page twenty-five, of the Boston Town Proceedings, it is recorded:

"Granted to our Brother Richard Brackett to sell his howes and yarding, June 11, 1638".

The property was sold to a Mr. Jacob Leger."

The town proceedings give some information as to Captain Richard's occupation. Prior to his removal to Braintree, under the date of February 12, 1639, it is recorded that leave was granted "to our Brother Richard Brackett to mowe the marsch lying in the newfield which he hath usually mowen, for the next summer time." It is clear that he had something to do in addition to his duties as jailer. He had an eye open for municipal windfalls and a yearning for agriculture.

He had a strong desire to lead the life of a husbandman, in preference to the other calling so many of his fellow compatriots followed; fishing. Many acquired a great deal of wealth as fishermen. Richard decided to turn his attention to farming. To accomplish this he would need to leave Boston.

In relating the period of his life when he is about to change his place of residence, to take leave of Boston, it is proper to mention the reference to Richard Brackett by S.G. Drake, in his History and Antiquities of Boston. It occurs in his picture of Spring Lane, at it's conclusion, as he recalls the first settlers visiting the spring, he wrote these words:

"And grim Richard Brackett, the jailer, may have laid down his halbred to quaff a morning draught."

The quote's briefness tells how pressed for data pertaining to those early days and the settler's activities the author was. It is known that he had only those few words to present relating to "Grim Richard". Mr. Jeffery Richardson had heard it stated that the jailer in Hawthorne's Scarlett Letter was grim Richard. It seems certain that the description is not of the individual (Richard) nor that the author had in mind any particular individual as he wrote.

Mr. Jeffery Richardson mentions that Captain Richard was jailer for many years. It is certain that he held the position to the time of his removal to Braintree. Whether he held it subsequently to this move, there is no evidence. The "marsch lying in the newfield which he hath usually mowen" and which Richard was granted to mow February 12, 1639 was at Mount Wollaston where Thomas Morton; some seventeen years earlier, had set up his business, much to the annoyance of the Plymouth Colony. Morton's Maypole exercises were of the merriest kind and these and other doings brought the merrymakers such ill repute that they were driven out of the county by enraged saints. Braintree was incorporated in 1640. Captain Richard was associated with it's incorporation. He moved to Braintree perhaps in 1641 or 1642. The time is fixed by the date of his dismissal by the church in Boston. There is some uncertainty about this date. In some publications it is December 5, 1641 and in others May 8, 1642. Under the latter date, the records of the First Church of Boston read:

"Our Brother Richard Brackett was granted by the church to be dismissed to ye church at Braintree at their desire with ye office of Deacon amongst you."

The saints of the First Church of Boston entertained a high opinion of the integrity of the young Deacon and this opinion was shared by the Boston town authorities. The church in Boston appears to have exercised a parental care over the new church in Braintree and insured it's well being by patronizing it with one of it's model members as a Deacon. He was ordained Deacon July 21, 1642. This office was held by Richard in the church at Braintree until he died.

There were tracts of land in Braintree that were owned or claimed by the town of Boston. Boston appointed Captain Richard to oversee these tracts of land as it's agent:

"Agreed with Captain Richard Brackett of Braintree that he should in the town's behalf, take care that noe wast or strip of wood or timber be in the land belong-inge to this town lyinge nere theier towne; but do his utmost to prevent it or give information to the Selectmen. In consideration whereof he hath libertie to cutt out of the wood already fallen to the value of 40 cord. 25 December 1676."

Another time Captain Richard was granted by the town of Boston:

"Libertie to cut soe much tymber upon the common land of Braintree as may serve for ye buildinge of 1/4 pte of a vessel of 25 tun. In consideration of his care of the tymberlands."

Volume 6 page 237 of the Suffolk County Deeds reads:

"Richard Brackett of Braintree, husbandman, sells 30 acres of woodland in the township of Braintree but belonging to Boston, and abt 25 years past by sd town of Boston gtd and laid out to other men as by record of said town appeareth, 25 October 1660".

There was another tract of considerable extent in Braintree, which Boston claimed. A large part of that tract was purchased from an Indian Chief. It was the desire of a great portion of the people of Braintree to commence action to recover that tract from Boston. This was opposed by a few in the town, notably Richard Brackett and Edmund Quincy. They and Samuel Thompson, in March 1682, were appointed to a committee to meet with the town of Boston. The contest was a prolonged one and as late as 1687 Richard was still opposing the proceedings against Boston. A committee secured for Braintree what is known as a six-hundred-acre log.

Richard Brackett was one of the town's early officials, was it's first town clerk and held that office for some years. In 1652, he was chosen selectman and again in 1670 and 1672. The highest office his townsmen should bestow upon him was that of Deputy to the General Court. He was first selected to that position in 1643, again in 1655 and 1665.

In 1665, the colony had need of the services of it's ablest men in it's contest over the Province of Maine with the heir of Georges'. It required the counsel of such men as Richard to successfully steer the ship of state during the stormy period of restoration.

Again in 1667, Captain Richard was Braintree's Deputy to the General Court and also in 1671. In the year 1675 King Philip's War commenced and continued into the following year. The war ended but there was no lasting peace with the Indians until 1679. Richard once again represented the General Court in 1680.

Richard served his people in a military as well as a civil and religious way. He was chosen Sergeant of the organization of the train-band in Braintree and held that rank for a few years. He was promoted to Lieutenant and was the second to hold that position in the company. About 1654 Richard was promoted to be the Captain of the company, the third person to be so honored. This is where the title Captain Richard Brackett is derived from. For promotion to this office it was necessary that the approval of the candidate should be made by the General Court; himself being a member of the court.

Judging from the propriety he exercised in his own and the town's affairs and the regularity he observed in all his business transactions, it is believed that there was not a better drilled and more thoroughly capable Train-Band in the province. Though Braintree was near Boston, it did not escape the battles of King Philip's War. On February 25, 1675 the Indians raided Braintree and killed four persons. In March 1676 another person was killed. Richard's men responded to these and other alarms. They collected the women and children, scouts were dispatched to observe the enemy, messages were sent to neighboring towns to give them warning and summon aid and an energetic pursuit was organized. It is regretted that hardly a scrap has been preserved of the part taken in this war by Captain Richard and his men. The only record that has been handed down to us is:

The raids by the Indians caused the colony to establish a garrison on or near the line between the towns of Braintree and Bridgewater. The military committee of the General Court appointed Richard Thayer to take charge. This Thayer was ambitious to earn his wages and a name for vigilance. He raised an alarm on the most meager of rumors, stalked all phantoms of the wilderness and stampeded at the approach of a horse or a cow of any color. Night and day he had the people afraid of an immediate prospect of being swooped down upon by the braves. He had Richard Brackett stirred up and his anger thoroughly aroused and his men were worn out by keeping constant vigil and Watch. At last what Thayer had prayed for took place. One of King Philip's men, "John George, a poor half starved wretch, on his knees went through the snow to the garrison house and surrendered. He was too weak to walk. He was the only Indian that was seen by Thayer and his garrison". Thayer took advantage of the situation to proclaim his vigilance. He kept John George in the garrison house for five weeks at the expense of the town. Richard was sorely strained but he had to put up with it all as Thayer was also a General Court's man. The old jailer thought the jail was a good place to keep the Indian and took him from his keeper. Thayer protested and said he had a grievance and that all his bills had not been paid by the town. Richard had already prepared the evidence of his men in support of the course he had taken, which was approved by the men in authority.

The General Court took it upon themselves to banish the poor Indian (John George) from the county and it's records read that he was sold into slavery. It is to be regretted that Richard did not turn the poor Indian loose.

In Braintree Captain Richard Brackett was among the first in it's church, military and civil affairs. He was held in high esteem in Boston and other adjoining towns to Braintree. In all of these towns he had an extensive acquaintance of men of prominence, of residents and by some he was appointed to administer their wills and estates. He was nominated by the court to administer the estates of many people. Upon petition of members of their respective families his name is frequently mentioned. His selection for such trusts attests to his high standing in the community.

There is another position the Captain Richard filled, of which mention should be made, and that is of schoolmaster. Mr. Jeffery Richardson is authority that Richard was one who taught school in Braintree.

As he advanced in years he sought to disburden himself of the offices whose duties were too cumbersome and brought him little or no returns. He looked after positions where pay was attached for his services. He could disclaim all sinister motives for this action as he had frequently devoted the best years of his life to the common cause.

In the records of the General Court read:

"On request of Captain Richard Brackett being 73 years of age and the infirmities of age upon him; having formerly desired and now again today, to lay down his place of Chief Military Commander in Braintree, the Court granted the request and appointed Lieut. Edmund Quincy to succeed him."

At the time he had been connected with the company for upwards of forty-three years and was it's Captain. On the petition of the inhabitants of Braintree he was appointed in October 1679 to perform marriages and to take oaths in civil cases.

In Braintree his pursuit of farming is recorded as in deeds and other records he is described as a husbandman. He had his choice of the best land in the town and acquired a considerable estate for that time period. When the town of Billerica was incorporated he became a freeholder there and two of his sons and two of his daughters settled in Billerica. His years following his move to Braintree and until his mid-life were devoted to the breaking and clearing of his farm. Once this was done he had time for other pursuits such as teaching school, administering estates and performing other services of a semi-clerical and professional nature. At whatever age, he was busy and had his daily duties in one or another capacity. At all times he was a highly honored and respected person in Braintree. He attained such positions as he could along all lines; military, civil and religious.

About 1610 Richard Brackett was born to Peter and Rachel Brackett in Sudbury, Suffolk County, England. About 1630 Richard and his older brother, Peter, came to New England and settled in what was to become Boston. Richard returned to England briefly, as on 06 June 1633 in St. Katherine by the Tower, London, Richard married Alice Blower. They came back to live in New England in Boston and later Braintree. Alice died 03 November 1690 and Richard 05 March 1691 in Braintree.

Richard and Alice Brackett's Children were:

1. Hannah, baptized 4 June 1634 in Boston, married 1st Samuel Kingsley, who died 21 May 1662 in Billerica, Massachusetts, married 2nd Deacon John Blanchard who died in Duntable in 1693. She survived her husbands and was killed by Indians in Dunstable 3 July 1706.

2. John, baptized 7 May 1637 in Boston, married 1st 6 September 1661 Hannah French, who died 9 May 1674. Married 2nd 31 May 1675 Ruth Ellice. John Brackett in Billerica was allotted land, in 1660, which adjoined the land allotted to his brother Peter. After the death of his wife, he and his four children went to Dedham to live.

3. Peter, baptized 7 May 1637 in Boston, was a twin with John. Married 7 August 1661 Elizabeth Bosworth, who died 30 November 1686. Married 2nd 30 March 1687 Sarah Foster (nee) Parker, who died 8 April 1718. Peter lived in Billerica and was a farmer.

4. Rachael, baptized 3 November 1639; in Boston, married 15 July 1659 Simon Crosby of Billerica.

5. Mary born 12 May 1641; married 1 February 1662 Joseph Thompson.

6. James born about 1645 in Braintree, married Sarah Marsh in 1674.

7. Sarah married 1 June 1689 Joseph Crosby who died 26 November 1695.

8. Josiah baptized 8 May 1652 in Braintree, married 4 February 1673 Elizabeth Waldo. They had two daughters; Sarah and Elizabeth (mentioned in Richard's will). Richard was the son of Peter and Rachel Brackett of Sudbury, Suffolk County, England. After Peter died Rachel married 2nd to Martin Saunders and they immigrated to America. Some Saunders researchers give Rachel's maiden name as Wheatley.(--William Brackett)

Burial: Hancock Cemetery, Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 11534942

found on findagrave.com

CORNELIUS WALDO 1624-1700

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of Hannah Polina Child (Elmer), daughter of Polly Barber (Child), daughter of Ichabod Barber, son of Mary Barney (Barber), daughter of Israel Barney, son of Elizabeth Brackett (Barney), daughter of Elizabeth Waldo (Brackett), daughter of Cornelius Waldo.]

Here lyes ye body of Deacon Cornelius Waldo. Aged 75 years. Died Janr. ye 3d 1700.

The Memory of the just is blessed.

Forefather Burying Ground, Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Chelmsford Center Middlesex County Massachusetts, USA

Plot: FF/HIS-471-1 findagrave.com

Immigration to New England Colony
1645
Cornelius immigrated to the New England Colony in 1645 and settled in Ipswich County, Massachusetts. Once overheard saying that when he arrived there the city of Boston was seven huts. On January 2, 1652, his father-in-law John Cogswell, give him 49 acres at Chemsford Fall, Massachusetts. He became a large owner of real estate in both Chemsford and Dunstable, Massachusetts. He was chosen Deacon of Mr. Welds church. At that time he was called Cornelius Walso Sr. of Chelmsford. The burial took place in Forefathers Burial Ground, Chalmsford Center, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. On his tombstone is the following: HERE LYES YE BODY OF DEACON CORNELIUS WALDO AGED 75 YEARS DIED JAN. 3 1700 THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED.
found on ancestry.com

Slave Merchant
As in other maritime colonies of New England, the chief families were among the chief slavers. Cornelius Waldo, maternal great-grandfather of Ralph Waldo Emerson, was a slave merchant on a large scale, a proud importer of "Choice Irish Duck, fine Florence wine, negro slaves and Irish butter." His ship, Africa, plied the Middle Passage packed with 200 black people at a time crammed below-decks, though lethal epidemics of "flux" sometimes tore through the captives and cut into Waldo's profits.
found on ancestry.com

Cornelius Waldo
1624-1700 , Massachusetts
DEACON CORNELIUS WALDO
Cornelius Waldo, the first by that name permanently located in this country, came from England and settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts according to "Savage's Genealogy of Early Settlers", in 1654. Married Hannah, daughter of John and Eliza Coggswell. Children" John, Cornelius, Daniel, Rebecca, Jonathan.

Deacon Waldo removed, in 1655, or 1657, to Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The records refer to him constantly as deacon. He was deacon of a church there during his life, of which Rev. Mr. Fiske was pastor. He owned considerable real estate in Chelmsford, and was at one time an inn-keeper there; and the spacious, comfortable old tavern, with its hospitable landlard, was a favorite among the traveling public of that remote day, when, instead of the steam coach, the "four-in-hand" came rolling up to the door at regular intervals, when the general overturning of baggage and turning out of passengers indicated a short respite and a few hours or night's rest for the weary traveler. Many prominent personages stopped at the inn. It is quite probable the Rev. Edward Bulkley died there. He also owned a farm in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, where he settled his son Daniel, who built a grist mill on it in 1695, at the mouth of Stony Brook, below the way that leads to Dunstable, Massachusetts. A grist mill and saw mill were standing upon this spot as late as 1820. The deacon was a leading man in Chelmsford. He died in 1701, June or January 3. His property was divided among his children.
Source:
page 9.
The Genealogy and Biography of the Waldos of America from 1650 to 1883. Compiled by Joseph D. Hall, Jr., From town and private records, and from papers carefully collected by Judge Loren P. Waldo, (deceased) of Hartford, Ct., Charles E. Waldo, of Canon City, Col., Mrs. S. G. Waters, of E. Randolph, Vt. Danielsonville, Conn.: Press of Scofield & Hamilton. 1883.
~~~~~~~~~~~
page; x
"Deacon Cornelius Waldo, a native of Peidmont, France, removed to Ipswich, England and from Ipswich, England to Ipswich, Massachusetts in A.D. 1650 and removed with the most of the church to Chelmsford, Mass. in 1654 or 1655 and was descended from the founder or disciples of the Waldenses (Peter Waldo) Piedmont, France and died in 1701. Motto on Coat fo Arms "Nil Sine Deo" (Nothing without God)."

FIRST GENERATION
[Page 12] (actually page 2 & 3)
CORNELIUS WALDO, the founder of the American branch of the family, was born about 1624, probably in England, and died January 2, 1700-1 at Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Of his parentage nothing has been learned. A letter from his brother-in-law, John Cogswell, written from London to his parents in 1653 says: "I have been with my brother Waldo's friends; his mother lives in Berwick; his uncle John is dead; his brother Thomas is in Ireland and his uncle Barrow is dead; the rest are in health." It is probable therefore that Waldo's family was living in or near London. It has been supposed by some that the Berwick where Mrs. Waldo was then living was Berwick on Tweed; but as there are two or three parishes called Berwick within twenty-five miles of Westbury Leigh, County Wilts, from which place the Cogswells came and which were probably known to them, it is not at all unlikely that one of these parishes is meant and that the family of Cornelius Waldo lived near the Cogswells in England and were old acquaintances and friends. Cornelius Waldo married Hannah, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Thompson) Cogswell of Ipswich, who was born in 1624, at Westbury Leigh, County Wilts, England and came to New England with her parents in the "Angel Gabriel" which sailed from Bristol, May 23, 1635. Elizabeth (Thompson) Cogswell was a daughter of Rev. William Thompson, Vicar of Westbury Parish, by his first wife Phillis. (Cogswells in America, pp. xvi-xx). Cornelius Waldo came to America before 1647 as in Essex County Court Records, Vol. II, p. 213, he is mentioned as having left a fowling piece as security for his brother Thomas for a fine. This is the Thomas who returned to England and was mentioned above as being in Ireland in 1653.

Cornelius probably settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts, soon after his arrival from England and is shown by the Essex County records to have been living in the vicinty in 1647. His name appears twice in the town records of Ipswich (see p. 13, Waldo Gen.), and he seems to have been living there as late as 1664. He pruchased a house or a building lot from Richard Betts and wife of Ipswich in 1652. This house, still standing in 1943 on High Street and known according to Ipswich Antiquarian Papers for March 1880 as "The Old Waldo House," was sold by Cornelius Waldo and wife August 31, 1654 to John Caldwell for twenty-six pounds. Miss Blanche Wildes of 112 Nonantum Street, Newton, Massachusetts, "a direct descendant of John Caldwell" and the present occupant of the house, in a letter of November 14, 1943 says of the Waldo House on High Street, that it was said to have been built by Cornelius Waldo prior to 1654, and was bought by John Caldwell from Cronelius Waldo and was thereafter for many generations owned and occupied by the Caldwell family and is now known as the Caldwell House.

Cornelius Waldo evidently moved to his farm in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, about 1665, where he died and where stands his tombstone in the burying ground. This farm perhaps lay on both sides of the Chelmsford line and "was next to the Tyng farm and extended from that farm to Howard's brook (its Indian name "Little Nacock"), and extended back to Brattle's farm." Nason's History of Dunstable, p. 92).
Source:
Continuation of Waldo Genealogy 1900-1943 by Charles S. Waldo, A.B. Attorney at Law. Press of Chas. E. Fitchett, New York City, N. Y.

tanyahydeadded this on 7 Dec 2008
Complied information on Cornelius Waldo, (the first of the Waldo generations in America) from sources. Sources named in the context.
found on ancestry.com

Cornelius Waldo - Life in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
From Touring the Forefathers Burial Grounds by Marti Spalding
Cornelious Waldo was born in England about 1624 and moved from Ipswich to Chelmsford about the year 1665. He was a deacon of the church, both in Chelmsford and later in Dunstable. Waldo was associated with the Wamesit purchase along with Jonathan Tyng. In 1690, Waldo ran a "common publick" house in the town and was licensed to sell liquor. This license prohibited him from serving children, servants, Negroes and Indians after nine o'clock, and from "playing Cards Dice Tables bowls Ninepins Billiards...upon Saturday nights after it is Dark, or on ye Sabbath dais." He was further prohibited from "harbouring...rogues, vagabonds, thieves, sturdy beggars masterless men or women or other notorious offenders."

In 1692, Thomas Henchman deeded property on Stony Brook to Waldo for one of the earliest grist mills. Of this mill, Allen says: "The run of stones designed prinicipally for corn has a small fanning wheel, fixed near the mouth of the shoe, to which motion is communicated by a band from the stone, and which impels a current of air against the grain, as it falls into the eye of the stone, and blows off chaff and other light substances. The bottom of each of the shoes of the other runs of stones is a tin sieve, through which fall sand, sorrel seed and other imputities in the grain which is to be ground. The attentions deserve the attention of all millers."

He had a son of the same name who married Rebecca, the daughter of Samuel Adams. In 1698, his daughter Rebecca married Edward Emerson the schoolmaster. Thus Ralph Waldo Emerson inherited his name. It was said, "Deacon Waldo was a man of distinguished usefulness."
His tombstone reads: "Here Lyes Ye Body of Deacon Cornelius Waldo, Aged 75 Years, Died Jan. 3, 1700, The Memory of the just is blefsed.
found on ancestry.com

Founders of Old Dunstable
Early Generations of the Founders of Old Dunstable
By Ezra S. Stearns Deacon

Cornelius Waldo was born in England about 1624. He settled in Ipswich and there married Hannah Cogswell, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Thompson) Cogswell. He sold his house and lot in Ipswich in 1654 and soon removed to Chelmsford. He was active and prosperous, owning large parcels of land. The story of the Waldo farm in Dunstable is well known. This lead to a residence here of his sons John, Cornelius and Daniel, but none of these remained many years. While they were in Dunstable, they were prominent in the affairs of the settlement. Deacon Waldo died in Chelmsford, January 3, 1700. Three of his ten children were residents of a few years in Dunstable.

John, born in Ipswich; married Rebecca Adams, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Graves) Adams of Chelmsford. He lived in Dunstable from about 1678 to 1688. He was a soldier in King Philip’s War. He was in Captain Wheeler’s Company which met the Indians at a disadvantage near Brookfield in August, 1675. In the encounter, eight of Captain Wheeler’s company were killed and five were wounded. “The fifth was John Waldo of Chelmsford, who was not so dangerously wounded as the rest.” He was a representative, 1689. He removed to Windham, Connecticut. He died before 1702. His children were; John, born May 19, 1678; Catherine, born 1680; Edward, born April 23, 1684; Rebecca, born April 26, 1686; Ruth; Sarah, baptized, Boston, December 6, 1691; married July 4, 1715 Jehosephat Holmes; Abigail.

Cornelius, born about 1655. He served in king Philip’s War, and subsequently lived a few years in Dunstable, but soon removed to Boston. He married Faith Peck, born in Boston December 8, 1658, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Peck. He probably died before 1700. Four children: Cornelius, born November 17, 1684; Elizabeth, born January 7, 1686-7; Rachel, born April 20, 1690; Judith, born January 25, 1691-2.

Daniel, born August 16, 1657; married Susannah Adams, a sister of the wife of his brother, John. After a residence in Dunstable of a few years, he removed with his brother John, to Connecticut. His children were; Susannah, born 1684; Hannah, born July 17, 1687; Bethia, born August 20, 1688; Daniel, born March 25, 1692; Rebecca, born February 5, 1693-4; Marah, born February 10, 1695-6; Esther, born January 3, 1698; Zachariah, born November 25,1701.
found on ancestry.com

JOHN BENEDICT 1649-1729

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of Hannah Polina Child (Elmer), daughter of Alfred Bosworth Child, son of Hannah Benedict (Child), daughter of John Benedict, son of Daniel Benedict, son of John Benedict, son of John Benedict, son of John Benedict.]

Birth: February 6, 1649, Southold, Suffolk County, New York, USA
Death: November 11, 1729, Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
Deacon John Benedict was the son of Thomas and Mary (Brigham) Benedict. He married Phebe "Greggorie"/Gregory daughter of John and Sarah (St. John) Gregory on November 11, 1670 in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Along with his parents and all of his siblings and their families, John removed from Long Island, New York to Norwalk in the Colony of Connecticut. He was freeman of Norwalk in 1680, and like his father, was selectman in 1692-94 and 99. He was appointed part of committees to recruit a minister and a schoolmaster.

In 1686, he drew lot #27 in Norwalk, and in 1678, he bought a 4 acre home lot on Dry Hill.

The church honored him by voting to allow him to sit "in ye seat before ye pulpit" in 1705.

He conveyed property to his sons, James and Joseph of Ridgefield in 1722 and 1723.

In his father's will, he was bequeathed his father's "calve pasture Lot", one-third of his "Sticky plaine Lott", " yt part of salt meadow lying by ye bridge at ye Indian Field", and "eight acres of upland laid out above ye Long Swamp beyond ye New field". He was named one of the overseers of his father's estate.

The known children of Deacon John and Phebe (Gregson) Benedict: Sarah Benedict, John Benedict, Jr., Benjamin Benedict, Thomas Benedict, Mary or Mercy Benedict, James Benedict, and Joseph Benedict.

Burial: East Norwalk Historical Cemetery, Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 33502497
found on findagrave.com

Biographical Notes
John and Phoebe Gregory
Phoebe was born in 1649, the daughter of John Gregory and Sarah Saint John of Southhold, where John was also born. She passed away in 1749 at the elderly age of one hundred (A). The two families were likely close in friendship as well as proximity in the town. John's father Thomas Benedict was a witness to the will of Phoebe's father, made August 15, 1689. John had bequeathed his estate to his wife Sarah. Both John and his brother, James Benedict, were mentioned as sons-in-law. Sarah also, in an instrument, dated October 9, 1689, so names them. John was a freeman of Norwalk in 1680, and succeeded his father as selectman in 1689. He was a selectman in 1692-94 and 1699; and also held some minor civil appointments the town. He was occupied, however, mainly, with church affairs, having become Deacon, probably, upon the death of his father. Thence forth the records show him to have been constantly on committees having charge of the religious and educational interests of the community, now "obtaining a minister," then, "hyering a schoolmaster." In 1705 the church honoured him by voting him a sitting "in ye seat before ye pulpit." He served as a representative in the General Assembly in the sessions of 1722 and 1725.

The Final Years for John
The date of his death is not to be ascertained, nor is that of his wife. The volume of probate records, which probably covered the time within which they died, unfortunately, is missing. He conveyed property to his sons James and Joseph of Ridgefield, in 1722 and 1723; and that he was living in 1727, is thought to be certain, because his son is then referred to as Deacon John Benedict Junior.

Footnotes
Note A: Sarah's birth and death information is similar to information in David Kipp Conover's website.
Sources " Genealogy of the Benedicts in America", by Henry M. Benedict; 1st pub. 1870; orig. avail. at Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC.
found on ancestry.com

EDWARD MORRIS 1630-1689

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of Hannah Polina Child (Elmer), daughter of Alfred Bosworth Child, son of Mark Anthony Child, son of Increase Child, son of Ephraim Child, son of Ephraim Child, son of Grace Morris (Child), daughter of Edward Morris.]

Edward Morris and Grace Bett stone Photo by DSJ, Woodstock, Windham, Connecticut, USA

The Deacon
"Deacon Morris was one of the projectors and early settlers of the town of Woodstock, Connecticut. From 1677 to 1684, he was one of the selectmen of Roxbury, and during the same period was also a deputy from that town to the General Court of Massachusetts, and during part of the time Colonial auditor. Grace Morris was admitted to the church June 21, 1681".
found on ancestry.com

JOHN PARMINTER 1588-1671

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of William Elmer, son of Sarah Peak (Elmer), daughter of Lemuel Peake, son of Jonathan Peake, son of Hannah Leavens (Peake), daughter of Hannah Wood (Leavens), daughter of Mary Parmenter (Wood), daughter of John Parminter.]

Information about Deacon John Parmenter
John PARMENTER Deacon (William-2, George-1) was born about 1588 in England. In a publication (ParmenterStory) by Roland A Dahir, at the 400th birthday of Deacon John Parmenter he writes that, according to a Parmenter descendant, Marjorie J Parmenter and George M Parmenter, Deacon John was born in Sible Hedingham County Essex, England on 12 January 1588; he married Bridget in Little Yeldham on 12 June 1609; she was born at Bures St. Mary, Country Essex on 12 February 1589. He was buried on 1 May 1671 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. John and both children are mentioned in his father (William) Will in 1613, but he inherited no lands or tenements from his father.

Following his father's death in 1617, John moved to about eight miles from Little Yeldham into Bures St. Mary. John's connection to Bures St. Mary can be seen in his association with Philemon Whale and Herbert Pelham, residents of Bures St. Mary who emigrated to Sudbury [The Puritan village, Sumner Chilton Powell, Appendix I, Wesleyan Univ. Press, 1963] A comparison of the signature of John Parminter as a witness in the original will of Henry Loker of Bures St. Mary with an autograph signature of Deacon John Parmenter as a commissioner of Sudbury, Massachusetts, 6 January 1639/40 shows that the two signatures were made by the same hand. [Suffolk County Court files, Boston, NO.162004]

In 1639 John Parmenter emigrated to New England with his wife Bridget and children Mary and John Jr; in his party were the widow Elizabeth Loker and her children. The name of the ship or port of departure is not known. John Parmenter was one of the original proprietors of Sudbury, and was assigned lands May 1640 by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay colony [Suffolk court files, vol. I, No. 304, microfilm #A360, Univ Massachusetts, Amherst]. John was chosen early as a Selectman; then Deacon, and Commissioner; he desired to be made Freeman 13 May 1640 [NEHGS Reg. Vol 13, 261], and made freeman 10 May 1643.

Following the death of his first wife, he married Annis (Bayford)(Chandler) Dane and relocated to Roxbury where he died on 1 May 1671; his will was dated 25 March 1671, and proved 25 July 1671.

John PARMENTER Deacon and Bridget were married about 1609 in England. Bridget was born before 1599 in England.
Found on http://www.parmenter-fam-assn.org/PPA2%20Cln%20090105.PDF
found on ancestry.com

biography
Immigration: 1639, sailed from Great Yarmouth with wife, Bridget (__), Elizabeth (__) Loker, widow of Henry Loker and presumed sister of Bridget (___) Parmenter, and two of her sons, John and Henry, as well as son John Parmenter. (TAG 147:377-382, 1993; 68:272, 1914) There is conflicting information about Mary. She was married to John Woods, October 10, 1633 in Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England and may have come earlier with her husband. Or the Woods couple may have come with the Parmenters. Or John Woods may have preceded the family and Mary separately made the 1639 trip with her folks, with three small children.

Spouses:
1) Bridget, either Simpson or Perry. (There were two sister combinations in John's English parish with names Bridget and Elizabeth, born in the right time period to have been sisters, and also wives of John Parmenter and Henry Loker. One set of Bridget/Elizabeth's came from William Perry; and another from John Simpson.). Bridget died April 6, 1660, in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. She would have been approximately 70 years old.

2) Annis (Bayford) (Chandler) (Dane), August 9, 1660, in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. She was baptized at Farnham, Essex, England, 12 June 1603. He would have been about 72, she 57. She was the widow of William Chandler, with whom she came to Massachusetts in 1637, and of John Dane, who was buried at Roxbury, 14 September 1658. She is an ancestor to President Ruthorford B. Hayes through a child with her first husband. He died ten years later, and she survived him by ten more years, dying on March 15, 1683, in Roxbury.
Residences: Sudbury (that part now called Wayland) by 1639 > Roxbury 1660. (The NEHGR article says that John Parmenter's Sudbury property was "adjacent to the corner of Bow and Concord roads in what is now Wayland.)

Occupation: Tailor (per items in estate inventory), operated a tavern (per permissions in Sudbury records)

Known as Deacon: He was known as Deacon Parmenter, a position of respect.

Life Events:
September 4 1639 - appointed one of the commission to lay out the land, May 13, 1640 - Granted freeman status, 1658 - Elected Deacon
found on ancestry.com

John and Bridget Parmenter
John - born about 1588, probably at Little Yeldham, Essex, England; died June 1, 1671, Roxbury, Massachusetts. Son of William PARMENTER and Margery. John, a tailor by trade, arrived with his family in New England from Great Yarmouth in 1639. He became freeman May 13, 1640 and served as a deacon and selectman of Sudbury, Massachusetts. By 1654, John PARMENTER was authorized by the town of Sudbury "to keep a house of common entertainment and that the court shall be moved on his behalf to grant a license to him" (Colonial Tavernrkeepers, Vol. 5, edited by Harriet Stryker-Rodda, 1982, page 19). His will, dated March 25, 1671 and proved July 25, 1671, names his second wife, son-in-law John WOOD, grandson John PARMENTER, and cousins CHEEVERS and John STIBBINS. John married second August 9, 1660 at Roxbury, Massachusetts, Annis BAYFORD (died March 15, 1682/3, Roxbury, Massachusetts; buried. there March 17, 1682/3), widow of William CHANDLER and John DANE. John and Bridget were married about 1609, probably at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England.

Bridget - born probably at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England; died August 6, 1660, Sudbury, Massachusetts. She was probably the sister of Elizabeth, wife of Henry LOKER. Bridget and Elizabeth may have been daughters of William PERRY or of John SIMPSON, who both had daughters with their names baptized at Bures St. Mary between 1585 and 1593.

Children of John and Bridget Parmenter
Mary - born about 1610, probably at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England; died August 17, 1690, Marlborough, Massachusetts. Married John WOODS.

John - born about 1611, probably at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England; died April 12, 1666, Sudbury, Massachusetts. Married about 1638 in England to Amy. Son: John married Anna CUTLER.
found on ancestry.com

John Parmenter
John - born about 1588, probably at Little Yeldham, Essex, England; died June 1, 1671, Roxbury, Massachusetts. Son of William PARMENTER and Margery. John, a tailor by trade, arrived with his family in New England from Great Yarmouth in 1639. He became freeman May 13, 1640 and served as a deacon and selectman of Sudbury, Massachusetts. By 1654, John PARMENTER was authorized by the town of Sudbury "to keep a house of common entertainment and that the court shall be moved on his behalf to grant a license to him" (Colonial Tavernrkeepers, Vol. 5, edited by Harriet Stryker-Rodda, 1982, page 19). His will, dated March 25, 1671 and proved July 25, 1671, names his second wife, son-in-law John WOOD, grandson John PARMENTER, and cousins CHEEVERS and John STIBBINS. John married second August 9, 1660 at Roxbury, Massachusetts. Annis BAYFORD (died March 15, 1682/3, Roxbury, Massachusetts; buried there March 17, 1682/3), widow of William CHANDLER and John DANE. John and Bridget were married about 1609, probably at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England.
found on ancestry.com

History of the town of Marlborough: Cheshire County, New Hampshire By Charles Austin Bemis

PARMENTER*
John Parmenter, probably the common ancestor of all bearing the name in New England, with his son John, was among the first settlers and proprietors of Sudbury, Massachusetts, and took the freeman's oath May 13, 1640. he was selectman in 1641; and he (or his son John) was on a committee of inspection into the moral condition of families, etc., February 28, 1655. His wife, Bridget, died April 6, 1660. No record of his death is found, but his will was provod 1671. His son John married, and settled in Sudbury; and in 1665 he was allowed to keep a house of entertainment in that town, he died April 12, 1666. His widow was Amee, who died in Sudbury, 1681.

He was the father of five children, among whom was George, who married, 1679, Hannah Johnson, and settled in Sndlmry.

Their oldest son, George, born May 5, 1679, married, 1701, Mary Bent. Deliverance, son of George and Mary (Bent) Parmenter, born December 10, 1709, ni., 1731, Ruth Hayden.
The: name of Parmenter is said to be of French origin, and denotes a mountaineer.
found on ancestry.com

More Details about John Permenter of England http://members.tripod.com/ntgen/bw/parmenter_index.html

Origins
See the Essex County, England Heritage Page
See this account of the Parmenter's in England
See his English family at The Stephen Lawson Page

John Parmenter was from Ovington and Little Yeldham, Essex County, England Top of Page
The Immigrant

1) Bridget, either Simpson or Perry. (There were two sister combinations in John's English parish with names Bridget and Elizabeth, born in the right time period to have been sisters, and also wives of John Parmenter and Henry Loker. One set of Bridget/Elizabeth's came from William Perry; and another from John Simpson.). Bridget died April 6, 1660, in Sudbury, Middlesex County Massachusetts. She would have been approximately 70 years old.

2) Annis (Bayford) (Chandler) (Dane), August 9, 1660, in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachestts. She was baptized at Farnham, Essex, England, 12 June 1603. He would have been about 72, she 57. She was the widow of William Chandler, with whom she came to Massachusetts in 1637, and of John Dane, who was buried at Roxbury, 14 September 1658. She is an ancestor to President Ruthorford B. Hayes through a child with her first husband. He died ten years later, and she survived him by ten more years, dying on March 15, 1683, in Roxbury.

September 4 1639 - appointed one of the commission to lay out the land May 13, 1640 - Granted freeman status 1658 - Elected Deacon
Michael Roman Biography of John Parmenter
The Stephen Lawson Page
Born: About 1588, in Little Yeldham, Essex Co, England. (TAG 147:377-382, 1993)

Immigration: 1639, sailed from Great Yarmouth with wife, Bridget (__), Elizabeth (__) Loker, widow of Henry Loker and presumed sister of Bridget (___) Parmenter, and two of her sons, John and Henry, as well as son John Parmenter. (TAG 147:377-382, 1993; 68:272, 1914) There is conflicting information about Mary. She was married to John Woods, October 10, 1633 in Bures St. Mary, Suffolk, England and may have come earlier with her husband. Or the Woods couple may have come with the Parmenters. Or John Woods may have preceded the family and Mary separately made the 1639 trip with her folks, with three small children.

Spouses:

Residences: Sudbury (that part now called Wayland) by 1639 > Roxbury 1660. (The NEHGR article says that John Parmenter's Sudbury property was "adjacent to the corner of Bow and Concord roads in what is now Wayland.)

Occupation: Tailor (per items in estate inventory), operated a tavern (per permissions in Sudbury records)

Known as Deacon: He was known as Deacon Parmenter, a position of respect.

Life Events:
Death: May 1, 1671; Roxbury, Suffolk County Massachusetts, aged 83 years old.

Estate/Will: His will, dated March 25, 1671, proved July 25, 1671, names wife Annis, daughter Mary Woods wife of John Woods, grandson John Parmenter, cousin Bartholomew Cheevers shoemaker of Boston, and cousin John Stibbins

Notable Kin

Samuel Morse - inventor of the telegraph

Sources and Resources
NEHGR 147:377-382, 1993 - English Origins of John Parmenter NEHGR 68:262-273, 1914 - John Parmenter NEHGR 3:187, 1849 - Freemen List NEHGR 143:325-331, 1989 - The Riddlesworth alias Loker Family NEHGR 85:142-45, 1931 - The Ancestry of William Chandler of Roxbury, Massachusetts, Roxbury, Massachusetts Vital Records
Notes, Questions, Errata

That part of (then) Sudbury, that is now Wayland has neighboring towns of Marlborough on the west, Lexington and Woburn on the northeast, and Watertown and Newton on the east. Sudbury/Wayland is 20 miles due west of Boston. Marlborough is another 10 miles east of Sudbury. Roxbury is now part of Boston, about 16 miles east of Sudbury/Wayland.

Children and Grandchildren
Kansas Pioneers Lineage
1 John Parmenter 1588 - 1671 born: About 1588 in Little Yeldham, Essex County, England .... +Bridget [Perry or Simpson] 1590 - 1660 born: About 1590 in England .

2 Mary Parmenter 1610 - 1690 born: About 1610 in England, Probably Little Yeldham, Essex ....... +John Woods 1610 - 1678 born: About 1610 in England, probably Essex ....

3 Isaac Woods 1655 - 1720 born: July 15, 1655 in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts .......... +Mary Maynard 1659 - 1689 born: About 1659 in Sudbury or Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts ........

4 Mary Woods 1687 - 1775 born: March 13, 1687 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts .............. +Abijah Bruce 1693 - 1774 born: November 27, 1693 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts ...........

5 Artemus Bruce 1728 - 1811 born: December 20, 1728 in Westborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts ................. +Mary Latiny 1732 - 1811 born: About 1732 in Probably Westborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts ..............

6 Elijah Bruce 1760 - 1835 born: January 20, 1760 in Westborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts .................... +Abigail Whitney 1763 - 1847 born: April 11, 1763 in Grafton, Worcester County, Massachusetts ..................

7 Abigail Whitney Bruce 1806 - 1884 born: April 2, 1806 in Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont ........................ +Nehemiah Willis Fisher 1805 - 1859 born: June 23, 1805 in Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont .....................

8 Eleanor Serepta Fisher 1843 - 1924 born: October 30, 1843 in Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont ........................... +Henry Gilbert Baldwin 1836 - 1894 born: June 14, 1836 in Dover, Vermont, USA ........................

9 Arthur Willis Baldwin 1876 - 1961 born: July 6, 1876 in Near Ada, Fountain Twp, Ottawa County, Kans .............................. +Inez Evangeline Hallock 1886 - 1976 born: October 14, 1886 in Near Milo, Lincoln County, Kansas

Related Links:
Ginny B's G Page has interesting information on the Parmenters, including John Parmenter's English lineage. (See Ginny's Home Page for allied lines, Pratt, etal.)

See the Parmenter Page for an interesting account of John Parmenter (and his son-in-law John Woods) in England and early years in America
The Pioneering Parmenters of America Page.
Sudbury History Page at the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce site.
found on ancestry.com

The New England historical and genealogical register, Volume 68 By Henry Fitz-Gilbert Waters, New England Historic Genealogical
GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH IN ENGLAND
Contributed by Miss Elizabeth French, and communicated by the Committee on English Research
[Continued from page 190] Parmenter

The Will of Gkorge P'menter thelder of Over [or Little] Yeldham. co. Essex, yeoman, 8 May 1591. To be buried in the churchyard of Over Yeldham. To the poor people of Over Yeldham 3s. 4d. To the poor people of Tylberye 2s. To Alyce my wife and Robert my son the lease of my farm where I now dwell. To Alyce my wife for life my freehold and land in Over Yeldham called Madges, with reversion at her decease to my son Edward and his heirs. Also to my said wife for life my copyhold lands and tenements lying in Tylbery, with reversion at her decease to my son Robert and his heirs, he paying to Chrystyan my daughter or her children £6, to Katherine my daughter or her children £6, to Jone my daughter or her children £6, to Alyce my daughter or her children 40s., to George Parmenter my son or his heirs £4, to Elizabeth daughter of Richard P'menter 20s., to Robert Page 6s. 8d., and to Jone Staniar dwelling with me 6s. 8d. I give to Edward Parmenter and Susan Parmenter, son and daughter of my son Edward. 40s., to be paid by my son William a year after he shall enter into my land called Bushaleyes in Yeldham Pva. To wife Alice for life said three and a half acres of land called Pushelyes [sic], which I bought last of John Browne of Yeldham Magna, with reversion at her decease to my son William. To my daughter Christyon a bullock. To wife Alice all household stuff, money, and implements of household in my dwelling house. Residuary legatees and executors: wife Alice and son Robert. Supervisor: son George Parmenter, to whom I give 3s. 4d. To wife Alice for life two acres of land lying in Dowries that I bought of George my son, with reversion at her decease to Richard my son. I have surrendered my copyhold lands in Tylberye into the hands of the Lord of the Manor by the hands of William Parmenter, in the presence of Mathewe Coldham [John P'ment his brother],* to the use of this my will. To ray grandson William Parminter of Cavendysb eight bushels of barley. [Signed] George Pmenters marke. Witnesses: Edward Raynsford, Roger Barrow Jun., and John Hardyng. Proved 12 February 1591 [1591/2] by Alice Parmenter and Robert Parmenter. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts [Somerset House], 1591, original will.)

The Will of Robert Permenteh of Lytle Yeldham in the diocese of London, 22 April, 36 Elizabeth [1594]. To be buried in the churchyard of Lytle Yeldham. To Robert Permenter my son a cubbard, a table, a form, and 20s. To my daughter Joane 20s. To my daughter Amye 20s. To my daughter Jane 20s. To my wife Amye all residue of my goods and chattels unbequeathed, such as remain at her decease to be equally divided among my then living children. Executrix: wife Amye. Witnesses: John Storye, Edward Permenter, and Peter Cramfyelde. [Signed] The marke of the said Robert Permenter. Proved at Brancktrie 26 May 1594 by the executor. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts [Somerset House], 1594, filed will.)
The Will of George Parmenter of litle Yeldham, co. Essex, yeoman, 12 November 1612. To be buried in the churchyard of Little Yeldham. To my wife Elizabeth my messuage and tenement in Little Yeldham wherein I now dwell and my free land in Little Yeldham for five years after my decease, and also my goods moveable and unmoveable, implements and household stuff, and cattle and chattels in Little Yeldham, she resigning all her rights of dower in my lands. To Margaret Taine my grandchild, daughter of Rose Taine, my house and grounds in Gestingthorpe, now in the occupation of Henry Fisher. To my grandchild Anne Taine, daughter of Rose Taine, 20 nobles, to be paid by my wife Elizabeth into the hands of Francis Purkas the elder of Nether Yeldham, for the use of the said Ann at twenty-one years of age. To Richard Parmenter my brother £10, and to his daughter Elizabeth 20s. To my brother William Parmenter my copyhold lands in Litle Yeldham called C[owell] alias Gouldwell, and to so many of his children as shall be living three years after my decease 20s. each. To my sister Christian Page 20s. a year for life, and to every one of her children 20s. each. To my sister Joane Stainer £6, and to every one of her children 20s. To Rose Tanne, my wife's daughter, 40s. To Francis Purkas, my wife's son, £5. To my sister Katheren Alyson 20s. To my godson Thomas May 20s. To Thomas Purkas, my wife's son-in-law, 20s. To the poor of Litle Yeldham 20s. To the minister that preaches at my funeral 10s. To my brother Edward Parmenter my messuage and lands at Hiningham at the Castle and my copyhold lands and the tenement thereto belonging, now in the occupation of Thomas May, and my messuage and tenement in Litle Yeldham wherein I now dwell with the free land thereto belonging, at the end of my wife's term of five years therein or at her death, if she die before. All other my lands unbequeathed, in Litle Yeldham, Hiningham at the Castle, and elsewhere, to my brother Edward Parmenter, except a parcel of meadow and hop ground containing one rod, lying in Litle Yeldham, now in the occupation of John Panell of Redgwell, which I will to my wife Elizabeth, she paying my funeral charges. Executor: my brother Edward Parmenter. [Signed] George Parmenter his marke. [Seal, a bird of some kind, not clearly distinguishable.] Witnesses: John Harrison, Edmund Browne, George Bucher. Proved 8 July 1613. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts [Somerset House], 1613, original will.)

* The words in brackets are crossed out in the original will.

The Will of Willm Parmeter of Over [or Little] Yealdham, co. Essex, husbandman, 12 October 1613. To Margery my wife for life all my messuage and tenement where I now dwell called Tankerton, and after her decease reversion to Robert Parmiter my son, he paying to John Parmeter my son £5 one year after the decease of my wife; and if the said John die before the sum be due, reversion to his children, equally divided. To Margery my wife for life all my copyhold land called Cowell alias Gowldwells, and after her decease it shall be sold by Robert Parmeter my brother, if he shall be living, and the money arising therefrom is to be equally divided among George Parmeter, Ursely Parmeter, Sara Parmeter, and Margaret Parmeter, my children; and if my said brother be dead, then the land shall be equally divided among them. If my son George or my daughters Sara or Margaret shall die before said money be paid or land be possessed, reversion to my surviving children. My son Robert shall pay to John Parmeter, the son of John Parmeter my son, 6s. 8d. at the age of one and twenty years, and to Mary Parmeter, my son John's daughter, 6s. 8d. at the age of one and twenty years. To my son George and my daughters Sara, Margarett, and Ursely certain articles of furniture [specified] after the decease of my wife Margery, whom I make executrix. [Signed] Sign' Gulielmi Parmeter. Witnesses: Richard Hamon and George Bucher. Proved 19 January 1617 [1617/18]. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts [Somerset House], 1617, original will.)

The Will of William Parmyter of Upper [or Little] Yeldham, co. Essex, yeoman, 20 May 1615. Edward Parmyter my son having paid many debts for me and having been unto me a good and dutiful child, I give him all my goods and chattels. [Signed] The marke of William Parmyter. Witnesses: Richard Browne and John Parmyter. No record of probate. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts [Somerset House], 1615, filed will.)

The Will of Henry Parmyter of Little Yealdham, co. Essex, glover, 16 June, 17 James I [1619]. To Audry my wife for life that tenement where I now dwell and the freehold land to it belonging in Yealdham, containing three acres, and at her decease reversion to my son William, he paying after his entry into the land to my children, Elizabeth, Henry, Audrye, and Thomas, 40s. each. To my wife Audry all my goods and chattels, she paying to my children, Elizabeth, Henry, Audry, and Thomas, 40s. each at the age of twenty-one years or day of marriage. To William Boorham of Yealdham Pva, blacksmith, my copyhold tenement where Robert Okeley dwelleth, with the yard, garden, orchard, and croft of land in Yealdham pva. Executrix: wife Audry. Supervisor: brother Edward Parmyter. [Signed] Henry Permerter. Witnesses: Robert Onyon and Robert Poole. Proved at Brainktree 8 July 1619 by the executrix. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts [Somerset House], 1619, no. 190, original will.)

The Will of John Cressall of Bures Hamlet* in the County of Essex, yeoman, 9 July 1625. To my brothers Henrie Cressall and Thomas Cressall 12d. each. "I gyve to my brother-in-lawe John Pannenter my best Cowe." All my other goods I give to Annet my wife, whom I make sole executrix. [Signed] the marke of John Cressall. Witnesses: Samuell Lyon and John Maynard. Proved 28 July 1625 by Sara, relict and executrix. (Archdeaconry of Sudbury [Bury St. Edmunds), Register Pearle, fo. 231.)

* The parish of Bures is on both sides of the River Stour, which separates the counties of Essex and Suffolk.

t This is evidently a clerical error, as John Cressall married 4 October 1616 Sarah Paxmenter, and she is named as Sara in the record of probate.

The Will of John Permiteb of Hedingham at Castle, county Essex, yeoman, 13 August 1644. To Ann my wife £50, the parlor chamber for her habitation, and all the goods therein and half the brass, pewter, and linen. To Thomas Permiter my eldest son £25 and my wearing clothes. To Nathaniell Permiter my second son 20s. To my grandchildren John Permiter and George Permiter, children of my son John Permiter, £4 each at twenty-one. To my kinswoman Ann Permiter, daughter of my brother Richard Permiter, 20s. at twenty-one. To my sons George Permiter and Joseph Permiter the residue of all my goods and chattels unbequeathed, and I make them executors. Supervisors: Thomas Purcas and George Taylor. [Signed] Signu' John Permitor. Witnesses: Edw: Button, Robert Permiter, George Taylor, and Nathaniell Mane. Proved 24 February 1647 [1647/8] by Joseph Permiter, one of the executors, the right being reserved to grant a like power of executor to George Permiter when he should come to claim it, as he did 3 March 1647 [1647/8]. (Commissary Court of London for Essex and Herts [Somerset House], 1647, no. 206, filed will.)

Parmenter Entries In The Parish Registers Of Bures St. Mart, county Suffolk, 1538-1630
1569 Robert Permenter baptized 23 October.
1586 John Parmynter and Katherine Cogshall married 4 October.
1593 Margaret Parmiter buried 27 November.
1616 John Chrisall and Sarah Parmenter married 4 October.
Parmenter Entries In The Parish Registers Of Little Ykldham,
county Essex

Baptisms, 156Jt-16$9* 1564
Henery son of William Parmenter 9 July 1564
Amy daughter of Robert Parmenter 17 September 1567
Thomas son of William Parmenter 18 January [1.567/8], 1567
Robert son of Robert Parmenter 8 February [1567/8]. 1570
William son of William Parmenter 24 February [1570/1]. 1571
Jane daughter of Robert Parmenter 5 June 1572
Edye daughter of William Parmenter 9 November 1572
Elizabeth daughter of Richard Parmenter 16 November 1574
Condense daughter of George Parmenter 25 May 1576
John son of William Parmenter 24 September 1581
Robert son of William Parmenter 30 March 1583
Jhon son of William Parmenter 19 January [1583/4]. 1585
Susan daughter of Edward Parmenter 18 April 1586
Robert Permenter son of William Junior 23 October 1588
Edward son of Edward Parmenter 21 November 1590
Samuel son of Robert Permenter 13 October 1592
Robert son of Robert Permenter 24 December 1594
Margarett daughter of William Parmenter June 25 February \V/t4/V 1595
John son of Robert Parmenter 16 November 1599
Alyce daughter of Robert Permenter 25 March 1599
Elizabeth daughter of Robert Permenter 14 October-1599
Elizabeth daughter of Henry Permenter 25 October 1600
William son of Henry Permenter 16 August 1600
Elizabeth daughter of Henry Permenter 4 March 1000/1), 1607
Robert son of William Permyter 16 April 1607
Thomas son of John Permyter 12 May 1609
Sara daughter of Henry Permyter 24 August 1610
Nathaniel son of John Permyter 13 March [1610/11], •Tin.- baptismal entries for 1593, 1597, and 1598 are almost tutii'ty iuii 1611
William son of William Parmenter 17 June 1611
Henry son of Henry Parmenter 30 January [1611/12] 1611
Anne daughter of John Parmenter 13 February [1611/12] 1613
Edee daughter of Edward Parmenter 9 November 1613
George son of John Parmenter 10 March [1613/14] 1614
Adria daughter of Henry Parmenter and Adria his wife 20 November 1616
James son of Edward Parmenter and Joan his wife 2 June 1616
Joseph son of John Parmenter and Anne his wife 19 September 1616
Thomas son of Henry Parmenter and Adry his wife 13 March [1616/17] 1617
Marie daughter of John Parmenter and Anne his wife 17 December 1617
Joane daughter of Edward Parmenter and Joan his wife 20 January [1617/18] 1619
Elizabeth daughter of Robert Pannenter and Elizabeth his wife 25 March 1621
Martha daughter of John Pannenter and Anne his wife 23 July 1625
John son of Robert Parmenter and Elizabeth his wife 25 April 1626
Anne daughter of Robert Parmenter and Anne his wife 14 January [1626/7] 1628
Robert son of Robert Parmenter and Agnes his wife 7 September 1629
Robert son of Robert Pannenter and Anne Fenner 24 May 1630
John son of Robert Parmenter and Anne his wife 18 April 1630
Samuel son of Samuel Parmenter and Elizabeth his wife 19 September 1631
Marie daughter of Robert Parmenter and Anne his wife 30 October 1632
Thomas son of Samuel Parmenter and Elizabeth his wife 19 August 1634
Robert son of Samuel Parmenter and Elizabeth his wife 22 March [1634/5] 1635
William son of Robert Pannenter and Anne his wife 14 March [1635/6] 1636
Elizabeth daughter of Samuel Parmenter and Elizabeth his wife 10 April 1639
Sarah daughter of Samuel Parmenter and Elizabeth his wife 21 January [1639/40]

Marriages, 1587-1639*
1597 Robert Pannenter, son of George Pannenter, and Alice Edwards, daughter of William Edwards, 22 January [1597/8].
1598 Henry Permenter and Awdrye Sparrowe 29 October.
1617 George Pannenter and Marie Usher als Clarke 12 March [1617/18J.
1621 Francis Whitinge and Adria Parmenter 10 April.
1626 Robert Parmenter and Agnes Ingam 24 June.
1626 Thomas Fenner and Dorothy Pannenter 4 July.
1636 Otwell Webbe singleman and Jone Parmenter single 1 November.

Burials, 1586-1639^
1589 Robert son of William Permenter 11 January [1589/90].
1591 George Permenter 7 February [1591/2].
1594 Robert Permenter 1 May. 1594
Amy wife of George Permenter 13 October. 1600
Agnys wife of William Permenter 6 March [1600/1].
1609 Henry son of Henry Permenter 15 July.
1610 William Permenter 4 April.
1611 Sarah daughter of Henery Parmenter 13 March [1611/12].
1613 George Parmenter 27 June.
1615 William Parmenter Sen. 3 June.
1616 James son of Edward Parmenter and Joane his wife 9 December.
1617 William Parmenter 4 December.
1620 Thomas son of Henry Parmenter and Adria hia wife 16 February [1620/1].
• The marriage entries previous to 1587 and for 1594-1596 are missing, t The burial entries previous to 1586 and {or 1688 and 1607 are
1624 William Parmenter 30 January [1624/5).
1629 Elizabeth wife of George Parmenter 24 June.
1630 Robert son of Robert Parmenter and Agnes his wife 26 June.
1636 Katherine Parmenter widow 24 December.

From Lay Subsidies* Fob Hinckford Hundred, county Essex
Little Yeldham
Little Yeldham
Sible Hedingham
Little Yeldham
Ovington
Bible Hedingham
Tilbury-by-Clare
Little Yeldham Sible Hedingham Tilbury-by-Clare
Belchamp St. Paul Castle Hedingham Little Yeldham
Sible Hedingham
Little Yeldham Sible Hedingham
Sible Hedingham
15 Henry VIII [1523-4]
Christyne Pmenter widowe 2s.
William Parmentur 2s.
William Parmentur junr. 4d.
(Lay Subsidies, 108/163.) 34-35 Henry VIII [1542-1544]f Margaret Parmator Richard Parmator John Parmator senr. George Parmator Thomas Parmator Nycolas Parmator John Parmator junr. George Parmator junr. John Parmentor
(76., 109/271) 8 Elizabeth [1565-6]
Robert Parmyter for lands [worth] 20s. tax 16d.
Richard Parmyter for lands [worth] 100s. tax 5s. George Permyter for goods [worth] £6 tax 6s.
William Permeter for lands [worth] 20s. tax 16d.
Kateren Permeter for lands [worth] 20s. tax 16d.
John Permyter for goods [worth] 100sv tax 5s.
(76., 110/425.) 14 Elizabeth [1571-2]
Robert Parmeter for lands [worth] 20s. tax] 16d.
George Parmeter for goods [worth] £7 tax 7s.
William Parmenter for goods [worth] £3 tax 3s. Widow Parmenter for lands [worth] 20s. tax 16d. John Parmenter for goods [worth] £6 tax 6s.
(76., 111/440.) 39 Elizabeth [1596-7] Nicholas Parmeter for goods [worth] 40s. John Parmeter for lands [worth] 20s. George Parmeter for lands [worth] 40s. Robert Parmeter junior for lands [worth] 20s. Edward Parmeter for goods [worth] 40s. William Parmeter for lands [worth] 20s.
(76., 111/518.)" 21 James I [1623-4] [The list is missing.] Robert Parmeter for lands [worth] 20s. [tax] 4d.
(76., 112/609.) 3-4 Charles I [1627-1629]
Robert Permynter for lands [worth] 20a. [tax] 4s. on the first assessment, 4s. on the second assessment. (76., 112/619, 112/627, 112/326.)
• Preserved in the Public Record Office, London.
t TUia manuscript is mutilated and the assessments are missing.
16 Charles I [1640-1]
Little Yeldham Robert Parmenter for lands [worth] 20s. [tax] 8d.
(76., 112/646.)

From Chancery Proceedings
On 21 June 1607 Roger Golding complains that about ten years since John Parmentcr, late of Sudbury, deceased, made a will by which he appointed the complainant and one John Parmenter executors of his estate of some £800, with lands in Sudbury, Tilbury, Little Yeldham, etc., and died about two years since. By said will testator left his estate to the wife of the complainant and her children and to others of his kindred and friends. But one William Parminter has secured for himself administration on the said estate, and in confederacy with John Parminter has seized and embezzled the estate of the deceased, and has not distributed it according to the latter's will.

William Parmenter, one of the defendants, brother and administrator of the late John Parmenter of Sudbury, maltster, replies that as complainant sues as one of the executors of a pretended will of deceased, said complainant should be joined as complainant with John Parminter, the other executor of the pretended will, and should not make the latter a defendant. This defendant knows nothing of any will made ten years ago, but has heard the other defendant, John Parminter, say that about 28 Elizabeth [1585-6] deceased did make a will appointing complainant and said defendant, John Parminter, as executors, and the said complainant did show this defendant a copy of the same and said that he intended to sue this defendant in the ecclesiastical courts, but he has not done so, and defendant doubts if such a will existed, as two years after the time of said pretended will said deceased loaned complainant over £40, which he would not have done had he made him executor of his estate. And moreover this defendant can prove by witnesses that on 24 September 1603 the deceased stated that one William Parmiter, son of this defendant, should have all the estate of deceased. On the death of said deceased this defendant, believing that deceased died intestate, did sue forth administration on his estate in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (deceased having estate in divers dioceses), which was granted to this defendant 19 September 1605. Deceased died 24 August 1605, possessed of an estate much smaller than is claimed by the complainant; and with the consent of John Parmiter and of Thomas Smith and of Edith his wife, sister of the deceased, this defendant had the estate appraised, which amounted to £200. 12s. The debts of the deceased were £47. 7s. 4d. The defendant, John Parmiter, received as his share of the estate £43. Is. 6d., and said Smith and Edith his wife about £40. The costs of administration were £23. 16s. 8d. The house in Sudbury called "The Gallerye" was the freehold of the said John Parminter, deceased, who with one Peregrine Parker, gent., did purchase the same in fee simple of one Peter Whyte on 6 June, 35 Elizabeth [1593], and on the death of the said Parker said John Parminter had the whole as survivor in fee simple, and, he dying without issue, it came to this defendant as his brother and next heir. Defendant denies any conspiracy with the other defendant, John Panninter.
The other defendant, John Parminter, replies that he thinks that John Parminter, deceased, made a will about 28 Elizabeth [1585-6], but knows not if it remained in existence until his death. Lately complainant sent his son to this defendant to show to this defendant a copy of said will, by which deceased left to his brother William Parminter, the other defendant, for life, lands, etc., in Little Yeldham, with reversion to Henry Parminter, said William's son, and left to this defendant, another brother, for life, lands in Little Yeldham, Tilbury, etc., with reversion to John Parminter, this defendant's son. Also he left to the said William £20 and to his children 6s. 8d. apiece, to this defendant £20 and to his children 6s. 8d. apiece, to the three children of Thomas Smith of Little Maplestead 40s. apiece, to Jone, wife of this defendant, cloth for a gown, to the complainant £5 and three guns, to the wife of the complainant (who died long before the testator) 20s., and to Thomas Golding 20s. This defendant prays that the complainant be required to bring the original will into court, as according to said will the testator left certain lands to this defendant and his children, which have been taken by the other defendant as eldest brother and heir. Deceased died about two years ago and about nineteen years after making said will. Complainant has long concealed the will for some sinister purpose, and as this defendant was unable to find any will of deceased, the other defendant obtained administration on the estate, and this defendant has received one third of the goods, according to the inventory in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. This defendant denies any conspiracy with the other defendant, William Parminter. (Chancery Proceedings, James I, Bundle G-8, No. 43.)

[From the foregoing records and from some other sources the following information about the Parmenter families of Little Yeldham, county Essex, and about the ancestry of Deacon John Parmenter of Sudbury and Roxbury, Massachusetts, has been derived:

William Parmenter, Sr., born probably about 1465, appears, with other Parmenters, at Little Yeldham, county Essex, in the subsidy of 1523-4.

John Parmenter, Sr., George Parmenter, Sr., Richard Parmenteh, Thomas Parmenter, and Nicholas Parmenter appear at Little Yeldham in the subsidy of 1542-1544. They belong apparently to the generation immediately following that to which William Parmenter, Sr., belongs. No wills have been found which throw light on the exact relationship of these men to one another or on their respective families; but doubtless the fathers of some of the Parmenters of the next generation are included in this list of names.

These men of the next generation are John Parmenter, born probably about 1515, and probably the progenitor of Family A, given below; George Parmenter, born probably about 1520, progenitor of Family B, given below; Richard Parmenter of Little Yeldham, who appears in the subsidy of 1565-6; and Robert Parmenter, born probably about 1530, progenitor of Family C, given below.

Family A
1. John Parmenter, of Little Yeldham, county Essex, born probably about 1515, appears as John Parmenter, Jr., at Little Yeldham in the subsidy of 1542-1544, and is found later in the adjoining parish of Tilbury-by-Clare, co. Essex, in the subsidies of 1565-6 and 1571-2.

The following were probably his children:
i. John, settled in Sudbury, county Suffolk, where he was a brewer or maltster, and died 24 August 1605, leaving no issue. He appears in several entries in the Sudbury borough records from 1597 to 1604 (register, vol. 66, pp. 170^171). His estate was contested in Chancery by Roger Golding in 1607.

ii. William, born about 1540. He was one of the defendants in the Chancery suit brought by Roger Golding in 1607.

iii. John, married Jone . He was the other defendant in the abovementioned suit. Children: John (eldest son), and others.

iv. Edith, married Thomas Smith of Little Maplestead, county Essex; had issue.

v. A Daughter, probably married Roger Goldino.

2. William Parmenter (John), of Little Yeldham, county Essex, the testator of 1615, born probably about 1540, was buried at Little Yeldham 3 June 1615. He married, about 1563, Agnes , who was buried at Little Yeldham 6 March 1600/1. He was one of the defendants in the Chancery suit brought by Roger Golding.

Children: i. Henry, of Little Yeldham, glover, the testator of 1619, baptized at Little
Yeldham 9 July 1564; married. there, 29 October 1598, Audrey Sparrow, who married (2) at Little Yeldham, 10 April 1621, Francis Whiting.

Children, recorded at Little Yeldham:
1. Elizabeth, baptized 25 October 1599; probably died young.
2. William, baptized 16 August 1600.
3. Elizabeth, baptized 4 March 1600/1 [sic, ? 1601/2].
4. Henry, buried 15 July l609.
5. Sarah, baptized 24 August 1609; buried 13 March 1611/12.
6. Henry, baptized 30 January 1611/12.
7. Audrey, baptized 20 November 1614.
8. Thomas, baptized 13 March 1616/17; buried 16 February 1620/1.

ii. Thomas, baptized at Little Yeldham 18 January 1567/8.

iii. William, baptized at Little Yeldham 24 February 1570/1; buried there 4 April 1610.

iv. Edith, baptized at Little Yeldham 9 November 1572.

v. Edward, named in the wills of his father and brother Henry; married Joane. Children, baptized. at Little Yeldham:
1. Edith, baptized 9 November 1613.
2. James, baptized 2 June 1616.
3. Joane, baptized 20 January 1617/18.

vi. John, baptized at Little Yeldham 24 September 1576; probably died young,

vii. Richard. Child: 1. Ann, under 21 in 1644.

viii. Robert, baptized at Little Yeldham 30 March 1581; buried there 11 Jananuary 1589/90.

ix. John, of Yeldham and later of Castle Hedingham, county Essex, the testator of 1644, baptized at Little Yeldham 19 January 1583/4; married about 1606 Anne. Children, recorded at Little Yeldham:
1. Thomas, baptized 12 May 1607.
2. Nathaniel, baptized 13 March 1610/11.
3. Anne, baptized 13 February 1611/12.
4. George, baptized 10 March 1613/14.
5. Joseph, baptized 19 September 1616.
6. Mary, baptized 17 December 1617.
7. John, born probably about 1619.
8. Martha, baptized 23 July 1621.

Family B
1. George Parmenter, of Little Yeldham (also called Over Yeldham and Upper Yeldham), county Essex, the testator of 1591, born probably about 1520, was buried at Little Yeldham 7 February 1591/2. He married Alice — . He appears at Little Yeldham as George Parmenter, Jr., in the subsidy of 1542-1544, is next found in the adjoining parish of Ovington in the subsidy of 1565-6, and appears again at Little Yeldham in the subsidy of 1571-2.

Children:
i. Robert, born probably about 1545; living in 1613, when he is mentioned in the will of his brother William. Child (probably): 1. William, called of Cavendish, county Suffolk, in the will of his grandfather, George Parmenter, in 1591.

ii. Christian, m. Page; had issue.

iii. Richard, of Little Yeldham, living in 1612. He was a legatee in the will of his brother George. Child:
1. Elizabeth, baptized at Little Yeldham 16 November 1572; mentioned in the wills of her grandfather and her uncle George.

iv. George, born probably about 1550.

v. Katherine, married Allison; had issue.

vi. Jone, mied Stainer; had issue.

vii. Edward, appears at Little Yeldham in a subsidy in 1596-7; living in 1612, being named in the will of his brother George. Children, named in the will of their grandfather:
1. Susan, baptized at Little Yeldham 18 April 1585.
2. Edward, baptized at Little Yeldham 2t November 1588.

3. viii. William, born probably about 1560.

ix. Alice.

2. George Parmenter (George), of Little Yeldham, county. Essex, yeoman, the testator of 1612, born probably about 1550, was buried at Little Yeldham 27 June 1613. He married first Amy , who was buried at Little Yeldham 13 October 1594; and secondly Mrs. ElizaBeth Puhkas, widow, who by her former husband had children Rose Purkas, wife of Taine, and Francis Purkas. George Parmenter is found in the subsidy of 1596-7.
Children by first wife:
i. Conscience, baptized at Little Yeldham 25 May 1574; died young,
ii. Robert (perhaps). A Robert Parmenter, son of George, married at Little Yeldham, 22 January 1597/8, Alice Edwards, daughter of William. If this man belongs in this family, he must have died s.p. before the date of his father's will.

3. William Parmenter (George), of Little Yeldham, county. Essex, husband man, the testator of 1613, born probably about 1560, was buried at Little Yeldham 4 December 1617. He married, about 1585, Margery. He inherited various lands in Little Yeldham from his father and copyhold lands called Cowell or Gouldwell by the will of his brother George, which he mentioned in his own will, dated 12 October 1613 and proved 19 January 1617/18. As only two of his children were baptized at Little Yeldham, it is likely that at some period he resided elsewhere; and therefore he was probably the William Parmenter who was assessed in the subsidy of 1596-7 in the adjacent parish of Sible Hedingham, the registers of which prior to 1680 are lost.
Children:
i. Robert, baptized at Little Yeldham 23 October 1586. He succeeded to the lands of his father by the latter's will, and was perhaps the Robert Parmenter who was assessed at Sible Hedingham in th« subsidies of 1623-4 and 1627-1629 and at Little Yeldham in the subsidy of 1640-1. 4.
ii. John, born about 1588. In, Ursula, living in 1613.
iv. George, married at Little Yeldham, 12 March 1617/18, Mabt Ubhbb alias Clarke.
v. Sarah, born about 1593; married at Bures St. Mary, county Suffolk, 4 October 1616, John Cressall, the testator of 1625. After the death of her father she had evidently removed with her brother, John Pannenter, to Bures St. Mary.
vi. Margaret, baptized at Little Yeldham 25 February 1594/5; living in 1613.

4. Dba. John Parmenter (William, George), of Little Yeldham, county Essex, and Bures St. Mary, countys. Essex and Suffolk, England, and of Sudbury and Roxbury, Massachusetts, was born evidently about 1588, as the baptism of his elder brother Robert is recorded at Little Yeldham 23 October 1586, and yet by 12 October 1613 John Parmenter was old enough to be married and to be the father of two children, Mary and John, according to the will of that date of his father, William Parmenter. He may have been born at Sible Hedingham, county Essex, but the early registers of this parish are lost. He inherited no lands from his father, and after the latter's death he evidently removed about eight miles from Little Yeldham into Bures St. Mary. Here his sister Sarah was married, 4 October 1616, to John Cressall, who in his will of 9 July 1625 bequeathed a cow to his brother-in-law John Parmenter. Here also, as John Parminter,* he was a witness, 22 February 1630/1, to the will of Henrie Loker of Bures St. Mary, county Essex, glover (register, vol. 63, pp. 280-281). In 1639 John Parmenter, with his family, and also the
* Thus the name is spelled in the original will of Henrie Loker, although in the registered copy of the will the name U Parmiter widow and children of Henrie Loker emigrated to New England, settling in Sudbury, Massachusetts, where John Parmenter was early chosen selectman, deacon, and commissioner. A comparison of the signature of John Parminter as a witness in the original will of Henrie Loker of Bures St. Mary with an autograph signature of Deacon John Parmenter as a commissioner of Sudbury, Massachusetts, 6 January 1639/40,* shows that the two signatures were made by the same hand. In the summer of 1660 he removed from Sudbury to Roxbury, Massachusetts, where he died 1 May 1671, aged 83 years, according to the church records of Roxbury, which thus furnish additional evidence that he was born about 1588. His will, dated 25 March 1671 and proved 25 July 1671, names wife Annis, daughter Woods, son-in-law John Woods, grandson • John Parmenter, cousin [Bartholomew] Cheevers, shoemaker, of Boston, and cousin John Stibbins.

He married first, in England, probably about 1609, Bridget, who died at Sudbury, Massachusetts, 6 April 1660. He married secondly, at Roxbury, Massachusetts, 9 August 1660, Mrs. Annis ( ) (chandler) Dane, widow successively of William Chandler and John Dane. She died at Roxbury 17 March 1682/3.

Children by first wife, born in England:
i. Mary, born about 1610; named in the will of her grandfather 12 October 1613; died at Marlborough, Massachusetts, 17 August 1690, aged 80; married John Woods of Sudbury and Marlborough, born. in England about 1610, died at Marlborough 10 July 1678. He deposed in 1664, aged abt. 54 years.
Children: 1. Hannah.
2. John, born 8 May 1641.
3. Francis (daughter), born 10 May 1645.
4. James, born 18 July 1647.
5. Catharine.
6. Isaac, born 14 July 1655.

ii. John, born about 1612; named in the will of his grandfather 12 October 1613; came to New England with his father in 1639; resided at Sudbury, Massachusetts, where he died 12 April 1666; married about 1639 Amy, who died 21 November 1681.
Children: 1. John, born about 1640.
2. Joseph, born 12 March 1642/3.
3. Mary, born 10 June 1644.
4. George, born about 1647.
5. Benjamin, born about 1650.
6. Lydia, born 16 October 1655.

Family C
1. Robert Parmenter, of Little Yeldham, county Essex, the testator of 1594, born probably about 1530, was buried at Little Yeldham 1 May 1594. He married, about 1561, Amte. He was assessed at Little Yeldham in the subsidies of 1565-6 and 1571-2.
Children:
Joane, born probably about 1562.
Amy, baptized at Little Yeldham 17 September 1564.

2. iii. Robert, baptized at Little Yeldham 8 February 1567/8.

iv. Jane, baptized at Little Yeldham 5 June 1571.

2. Robert Parmenter (Robert), of Little Yeldham, county Essex, baptized there 8 February 1567/8, appears there in the subsidy of 1596-7. Neither his will nor any administration on his estate has been found.
Children, baptized at Little Yeldham:
i. Samuel, baptized 13 October 1590; married Elizabeth.
Children, baptized at Little Yeldham:
1. Samuel, baptized 19 September 1630.
2. Thomas, baptized 19 August 1632.
3. Robert, baptized 22 March 1634/5.
4. Elizabeth, baptized 10 April 1636.
5. Sarah, baptized 21 January 1639/40.

ii. Robert, baptized 24 December 1592; married (1) Elizabeth ; married (2) at Little Yeldham, 24 June 1626, Agnes (Anne) Inoam.
Children by first wife, recorded at Little Yeldham:
1. Elizabeth, baptized 25 • Suffolk Co. Court Files, Boston, no. 162004. March 1619.
2. John, baptized 25 April 1625.
Children by second wife, recorded at Little Yeldham:
3. Anne, baptized 14 January 1626/7.
4. Robert, baptized 7 September 1628; buried 26 June 1630.
5. John, baptized 18 April 1630.
6. Mary, baptized 30 October 1631.
7. William, baptized 14 March 1635/6.

iii. John, baptized 16 November 1595.

iv. Alice, baptized 25 March 1599.

found on ancestry.com