Eli Bruce

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: John Eli BRUCE
• Residence: 1790, Templeton, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
• Residence: 1800, Worcester, Otsego, New York, USA
• Residence: 1810, Worcester, Otsego, New York, USA

Family/Spouse: Louise. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Roswell Bruce was born in 1788 in , , Massachusetts, USA; died on 28 Sep 1864 in Turtle, Rock, Wisconsin, USA; was buried in Shopiere, Rock, Wisconsin, USA.

Eli married Sarah Gibbs on 16 Jan 1773 in Sutton, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Sarah (daughter of Jacob Gibbs and Mary Lilley) was born on 18 Oct 1750 in Hopkinton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1788 in Summit, Schoharie, New York, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Charles Bruce was born on 2 Jan 1774 in Woodstock, Windham, Connecticut, USA; died in 1810 in Cobleskill, Schoharie, New York, USA.
2. Samuel Bruce was born on 24 Aug 1776 in Woodstock, Windham, Connecticut, USA; died on 28 Dec 1847 in Summit, Schoharie, New York, USA.
3. Eli Bruce was born on 22 Aug 1783 in Woodstock, Windham, Connecticut, USA; died on 6 May 1840 in Elyria, Lorain, Ohio, USA; was buried in Grafton, Lorain, Ohio, USA.
4. Zelotes Bruce was born on 6 Jan 1785 in Woodstock, Windham, Connecticut, USA; died in 1848 in Worcester, Otsego, New York, USA.
5. Benjamin Bruce was born in 1788; died in 1832.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1757, Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
• Probate: 24 Nov 1758, , Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Charles married Martha Coburn on 21 Jan 1743 in Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Martha (daughter of Benjamin Coburn and Elizabeth French) was born on 21 Oct 1717 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Martha Bruce

Notes:

In 1719 Lieutenant Abijah Bruce (1698-1774) arrived in Westborough and opened a tavern in the house he built at 210 East Main Street. A soldier in the French and Indian Wars, Bruce served as moderator of town meeting in 1735. As a member of the committee to build the second meeting house in 1749 the innkeeper provided the rum for that building's raising.

Abijah Bruce not only worked as a tavern keeper but raised cattle, horses and sheep on his land. He often sold his stock to drovers who stopped at the Bruce Tavern on the way to market. In 1750 the tavern was mortgaged to Captain Stephen Maynard and seems to have ceased business soon after.


Abijah Bruce served in the military. Rev Ebenezer Parkman's diary says that Abijah was a Sergeant in Sep 1740 but was an Ensign by Jul 1744. He made Lieutenant Aug 1748 and must have been in Captain Baker's Company as on 11 Oct 1748 Parkman "dined with the south Company Officers - Lt Bruce had the Command by Means of Captain bakers being engag'd as one of the Referrees upon the Case of messers [ William] Nurse and [Cornelius] Cook." Abijah doesn't appear in any Massachusetts Military records but might be found in the Westborough Militia records. To show what the soldiers and even the populace had to contend with during the French and Indian Wars, this July 1745 entry from Parkman's diary is included "Ensign Bruce (who went up to Fort Shirley to bring back his son Jonathan) return'd - and informs that last Friday about 10 a.m. Mr. William Phipps was kill'd by the Indians about 30 Rods from the Garrison at [Putney] (nigh which lives Mr Nehemiah How who went from Grafton) and his body was treated inhumanly, Scalp'd, his Heart taken out, etc."

Abijah Bruce was moderator of the town meetings in 1735. In January 1749 some land was bought for the purpose of building a new meeting house in the town of Westboorough. The house was to be fifty feet long by forty feet wide with posts 23 feet high. In April it was ready for raising and accordingly the precinct voted on the 17th "to provide Half a barrel Roum, by the cost and charge of the precinct, for the Raising of the frame of the meeting-house which the precinct voted to build..." Capt. John Maynard, Lieut. Simeon Tainter, and Lieut. Abijah Bruce were voted to be a committee to take care to provide the Roum for raising the frame of the meeting house.

Abijah at one time kept a tavern (during the 1750's at least). It was located on the road between Westborough and Marlborough about two miles from the center of Westborough.

A letter written by Abijah Bruce, dated at Westborough June 5th, 1772, reads "Whereas my brother David Bruce of Soutb'r is a person Naturally wanting Understanding and not capable of taking care of himself and there being some Estate left by our hon'd Father Roger Bruce late of Said Southb'r Deed for the Support of said David who is not Capable to manage the Same for that purpose, These are to desire your Hon'r to enquire into the truth of the above & appoint Him the said David a Guardian". Signed Abijah Bruce by mark, witnessed by Artemas Bruce and Isaac Johnson.

Abijah apparently had a violent temper. in several places in Parkman's diary Abijah is mentioned as having "warm Speech" or answering "Sharply, and coarsely, and asking....with great Anger". An example of his temper is found in the diary from June 1755 when Rev Parkman forgot to mention to the congregation Abijah's desire for prayers for his sick wife. "Lieutenant Bruce came into my House, and the Storm was great, Thunder, Lightening, and Rain. Yet the Storm of Brother Bruce's Passions was more grievous; uttering many bitter grievous Things; neither could I at all lay his Passionate Heat by anything I could Say. he went away talking and in a Rage, notwithstanding it was the Sabbath, and the Storm which Should have Struck Terror, into each of our Hearts. I could not Suffer him to go away in Such a Frame. I put on my Great Coat, and went to the Meeting House, ready to declare it was not with Design that I omitted the Note, but through forgetfullness - as I went I Spake to him at the Stables to Mollifie him - and entreated him and all others that were there to go into the Meeting House; but neither of them did. When I got into the meeting House I was Somewhat out of Breath by my running through the Rain. There were many more in the Meeting House (probably) than I expected; Yet I then conceiv'd it best for the prevention of further Mischief to declare that it was thro my Infirmity and no otherwise that his Case was Neglected; I also mention'd to them the Reason of my coming to Speak of it to them, viz. the violent Anger which he was in, and continued in, though I did all in my Power to Compose and Satisfie him; and that he assur'd me he would never bring me any Papers (to desire Prayers) any more. When I return'd from the Meeting House, he being Still at the Stables, I Stop'd there again and there labour'd to pacifie him; but all was in Vain. So that I left him with telling him that I had done and Said enough (and indeed it was too much) I would not trouble my Self any more. This was a just Chastizement from God upon me, for my own Sloth and Negligence! the Lord be mercifull to me a Sinner! The next day I made it my Business to Visit Mrs. Bruce...As to Lieutenant Bruce, he now receiv'd me civily - no word of yesterday; only when I parted while I had him by the Hand I told him I would not have any Difficulty between him and me, and he answer'd Smiling, ' with all my Heart' ." Abijah apologized a month later to Rev Parkman for his outbursts, " Lieutenant Bruce here and acknowledg'd he did amiss on june 22 and what he said was writ and sign'd".

Perhaps Abijah had cause to be angry. His wife Mary remained ill the rest of the year and was very close to death.

According to Parkman's diary Abijah died 2 Dec 1774, "Lieut. Bruce dies about 2 o'clock p.m. He was nigh 81, was born Nov.27.O.S. 1693".

A later entry for 27 Mar 1775, "Calld at Mr Stone's & desired him, if he should be sent for by those concerned, to attend the Funeral of old Mrs, Bruce, who dyd on ye 26th, aged 88 & one Day".

REF:
[1] The First Parish Church of Westborough Records
[2] The Diary of Rev. Ebenezer Parkman - Francis G. Walett, 1974
[3] Worcester County, MA Probate
[4] Westborough Vital records (Bruce births on pg.29)
[5] Diary of Reverend Ebenezer Parkman (copied by S.I. Briant
in 1906 - in Westborough Public Library)
[6] The History of Westborough - Town of Westborough, 1891

Children:
1. Mary, b. Marlborough 4 Oct 1719, bap. 19 Jun 1720, m. Westborough 20 Nov 1740 Simon Tainter
2. Elizabeth, b. Marlborough 4 Nov 1720, bap. 18 Jun 1721, m. Westborough 10 May 1739 Richard Barnes, Jr., b. Marlborough 12 Feb 1716-7
3. Charles, b.[4] Westborough 13 May 1722, m. Westborough 21 Jan 1742-3 Martha Coburn
4. Ephraim, b.[4] Westborough 15 Nov 1724, m. Westborough 5 Oct 1744 Mary Maynard, d. Westborough 13 Jan 1801 Chil.: 1) Zipporah, b. Westborough 7 Feb 1753
5. Jonathan, b.[4] Westborough 4 Sep 1726, m. Westborough 24 May 1749 Hannah Beeman, b. Westborough 23 Apr 1730
6. Artemas, b.[4] Westborough 20 Dec 1728, d. Newfane, VT 31 Jul 1811, m. Westborough 20 May 1756 Mary Latiny, b. abt. 1732, d. Newfane, VT 29 Sep 1811
7. Abigail, b.[4] Westborough 2 Jul 1730, m. Westborough 7 Apr 1752 Merodach Baladan Smith

Abijah married Mary Woods on 14 Jan 1719 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of Isaac Woods and Mary Maynard) was born on 13 Mar 1686 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 26 Mar 1775 in Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Probate: 1746, , Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

Benjamin married Elizabeth French on 6 Jun 1704 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph French and Elizabeth Knight) was born on 5 Jan 1681 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1732 in Bedford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1733, Southborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

Roger BRUCE was born about 1670 in Marlborough, MA. He was noted as a miller with grants, etc. He died about 16 Dec 1733 in Southborough, MA. Land Records are given for this person in the Roman Genealogy. Other sources include by Roman: History of Marlborough, Mass. Charles
Hudson, 1862. Middlesex County Deeds. NEHGR, 1982, Fahey et all, Thomas Bruce of Sudbury and Marlborough," Thomas disposed of his forty-acres house lot and ten acres of meadow by deed of gift to his sons Roger and David. To David he gave the Northern half (Middlesex Deeds 13: 5,6,) and on April 13, 1706, the southern portion went to Roger. (Middlesex Deeds 15: 149, 150).

Roger Bruce was born possibly about 1670 and is stated to have died 16, December, 1733, (Vital Records, Southborough, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849, [Worcester, Mass, 1903], but his will was signed 8 Dec. 1733 and proved 7 Feb. 1733/4 [Worcester County, Massachusetts, Probate, Series A, file 8553]. He does not appear with John Bruce on the 1688 Andros Tax List. About 1690 he married Elizabeth Forbush. The author above suggests that he may have been living in the household of his father at the time.

He came with his parents from Sudbury to Marlborough and was living there in 1691 when his first child was born. In 1695 he removes to Framingham, returning to Marlborough by 1701. During the next fifteen years, there is no clear record of him, but it is assumed he, for the major part, operated the mills at the original site. In 1711 he has a child born in Southborough. Roger's will disposed of his possessions to living children, not mentioning Rebecca and Deliverance, thus they were probably deceased. Samuel was not mentioned, however he had received land earlier.

He was married to Elizabeth FORBUSH in 1690 in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA.(442) Roman only names her as Elizabeth. Adams names her as Elizabeth Gould Children were: Samuel BRUCE, Abijah BRUCE, Elisha BRUCE, Rebecca BRUCE, Sarah BRUCE, Daniel BRUCE, Thomas BRUCE, Hannah BRUCE, Deliverance BRUCE, David BRUCE.

Like his father, Thomas, Roger Bruce wa a miller, and he inherited some of his father's mills. He later bought another corn mill from James Taylor situated on Stony Brook. The records sometimes called Roger "husbandman", which indicates he must have had a farm to supplement his livelihood in addition to the mills. Roger's parents, Thomas and Magdalen and brother David are also mentioned in these records. Roger signed deeds, Elizabeth signed by mark.

In 1711 during the French and Indian War, Roger Bruce and Isaac Woods were assigned to Jonathan Newton's garrison in Marlboro. In another record Roger stated that his dwelling house was on the easterly side of Stony Brook. He and fortynine others, representing their families, petitioned the General Court to set off the Stony Brook area as a seperate town because the house of public worship in Marlborough was at too great a distance to travel each week. The Court consented, and on July 6, 1727 the town of Southborough was established. The town was originally in Middlesex County, and fell within Worcester County when it was established in 1731. As a result land deeds of the town are found in both counties.

On june 24, 1715 Samuel forbush mentioned his " Kinsman Abijah Bruce" in a deed. Abijah was the son of Roger. The connection between Samuel and Abijah is made clear by the April 27, 1746 entry in Rev. Ebenezer Parkman's diary. "On the Occasion of The Death of my Honoured Mother and Several Bereavments (Ex. gr. Captain Forbush amd Mrs Byles mourn for the loss of their sister Bruce and Ensign Bruce and Mrs Miller the loss of their Mother;...) Captain Samuel Forbush and Rebecca (Forbush) Byles, wife of Joseph Byles, were the children of Daniel Forbush. They had only one sister, and she was named Elizabeth, for whom no marriage record exists. The other two named persons in the entry, Ensign Abijah Bruce and Sarah (Bruce) Miller, wife of James Miller, were the children of Roger Bruce and his wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth (Forbush) Bruce obviously died toward the end of April 1746.

The vital records of Southborough give the date of Roger's death as Sept. 16, 1733, but since he signed his will on December 8, 1733 and the heirs agreed to the terms of the will on December 25 of that year, the correct date would most likely be December 16 rather than September 16.
*

Thomas Bruce transferred ownership of his home and mills by deeds to his sons David and Roger. David received his portion on 29 Jan. 1699. Roger received the southern half of Thomas' house lot and five acres of meadow in several pieces at Stoney Brook and at Pine Brook with all the housing and corn mill and half of the sawmill standing thereon with the streams thereto belonging; also his whole estate, all his moveables, utensils, irons, etc..

On 6 Nov. 1717, Roger Bruce of Marlborough purchased a corn mill and adjoining fulling mill, house, buildings, etc. on Stoney Brook from James Taylor for L55. On 4 Jan 1727, Roger and wife Elizabeth sold this property, plus two acres, to John Britton for L60. On 4 Dec 1726, Roger Bruce, miller, sold to his son Samuel Bruce for a sum of money ten acres iin Southborough where Samuel lived.
Source: Middlesex County, Mass. Land Transactions

By a deed dated 11 Feb. 1731, acknowledged 21 Apr. 1732 and recorded 16 Jan 1733/34, Roger Bruce and wife Elizabeth sold for L110 to Jonathan Newton ten acres. This was probably the remainder of Roger's forty-acre house lot. Source: Worcester County, Mass. Land Transactions

According to the Southborough Vital Records, Roger died on 16 Sep 1733; but his will was signed 8 Dec 1733 and was proved 7 Feb 1733/34. Perhaps he died on 16 Dec 1733. He mentioned his wife Elizabeth, sons Abijah, Daniel, Thomas, Elisha and David, and daughters Sarah, wife of James Miller, and Hannah Townsend. Source: Worcester County, Mass. Probate Records

Roger's eldest son, Samuel, was not mentioned in the will. Roger had previously established Samuel on a farm and there was no reason to leave more property to Samuel.
Roger married Elizabeth Forbush before 1691, when their first son, Samuel, was born. Elizabeth Forbush's identity was discovered through an entry dated 27 Apr 1746 in The Diary of Ebenezer Parkman, 1703-1782, in which "Captain (Samuel) Forbush and Mrs. (Rebecca) Byles mourn the lost of their sister Bruce and Ensign (Abijah) Bruce and Mrs. (Sarah) MIller the Loss of their Mother..." Source: The Diary of Ebenezer Parkman, 1703-1782

Roger Bruce may have been born in the vicinity of Sudbury, Mass. However, the first record of his father Thomas appeared in 1676 at Sudbury and it is therefore impossible to be certain of Roger's birthplace. Source: "Thomas Bruce of Sudbury and Marlborough, Massachusetts", The NEHGR, Vol. 1982





Thomas Bruce transferred ownership of his home and mills by deeds to his sons David and Roger. David received his portion on 29 Jan. 1699. Roger received the southern half of Thomas' house lot and five acres of meadow in several pieces at Stoney Brook and at PIne Brook with all the housing and corn mill and half of the sawmill standing thereon with the streams thereto belonging; also his whole estate, all his moveables, utensils, irons, etc..


On 6 Nov. 1717, Roger Bruce of Marlborough purchased a corn mill and adjoining fulling mill, house, buildings, etc. on Stoney Brook from James Taylor for L55. On 4 Jan 1727, Roger and wife Elizabeth sold this property, plus two acres, to John Britton for L60. On 4 Dec 1726, Roger Bruce, miller, sold to his son Samuel Bruce for a sum of money ten acres iin Southborough where Samuel lived.


Source: Middlesex County, Mass. Land Transactions





By a deed dated 11 Feb. 1731, acknowledged 21 Apr. 1732 and recorded 16 Jan 1733/34, Roger Bruce and wife Elizabeth sold for L110 to Jonathan Newton ten acres. This was probably the remainder of Roger's forty-acre house lot. Source: Worcester County, Mass. Land Transactions





Accordin g to the Southborough Vital Records, Roger died on 16 Sep 1733; but his will was signed 8 Dec 1733 and was proved 7 Feb 1733/34. Perhaps he died on 16 Dec 1733. He mentioned his wife Elizabeth, sons Abijah, Daniel, Thomas, Elisha and David, and daughters Sarah, wife of James Miller, and Hannah Townsend. Source: Worcester County, Mass. Probate Records





Roger's eldest son, Samuel, was not mentioned in the will. Roger had previously established Samuel on a farm and there was no reason to leave more property to Samuel.


Roger married Elizabeth Forbush before 1691, when their first son, Samuel, was born. Elizabeth Forbush's identity was discovered through an entry dated 27 Apr 1746 in The Diary of Ebenezer Parkman, 1703-1782, in which "Captain (Samuel) Forbush and Mrs. (Rebecca) Byles mourn the lost of their sister Bruce and Ensign (Abijah) Bruce and Mrs. (Sarah) MIller the Loss of their Mother..." Source: The Diary of Ebenezer Parkman, 1703-1782




Dianne_Fraser
Dianne_Fraser originally shared this to DKFraserfamilytree

01 Sep 2011 story
Above information taken from Thomas Bruce of Sudbury and Marlboro, Massachusests by Pitman, Fahey and Newman

Like his father, Thomas, Roger Bruce was a miller, and he inherited some of his father's mills. He later bought another corn mill from James Taylor situated on Stony Brook. The records sometimes called Roger "husbandman", which indicates he must have had a farm to supplement his livelihood in addition to the mills. Roger's parents, Thomas and Magdalen and brother David are also mentioned in these records. Roger signed deeds, Elizabeth signed by mark.
Suring the French and Indian War, in 1711, Roger Bruce and Isaac Woods were assigned to Jonathan Newton's garrison in Marlboro. In another record Roger stated that his dwelling house was on the easterly side of Stony Brook. He and fortynine others, representing their families, petitioned the General Court to set off the Stony Brook area as a seperate town because the house of public worship in Marlborough was at too great a distance too travel each week. The Court consented, and on July 6, 1727 the town of Southborough was established. The town was originally in Middlesex County but fell within Worcester County when that county was established in 1731. Thus land deeds of the town are found in both counties.

No marriage record for Roger and Elizabeth has been found, but Katherine Fahey was able to discover Elizabeth's maiden name through another source. On june 24, 1715 Samuel forbush mentioned his " Kinsman Abijah Bruce" in a deed. Abijah was the son of Roger. The connection between Samuel and Abijah was made clear by the April 27, 1746 entry in Rev. Ebenezer Parkman's diary. "On the Occasion of The Death of my Honoured Mother and Several Bereavments (Ex. gr. Captain Forbush amd Mrs Byles mourn for the loss of their sister Bruce and Ensign Bruce and Mrs Miller the loss of their Mother;...) Captain Samuel Forbush and Rebecca (Forbush) Byles, wife of Joseph Byles, were the children of Daniel Forbush. They had only one sister, and she was named Elizabeth, for whom no marriage record exists. The other two named persons in the entry, Ensign Abijah Bruce and Sarah (Bruce) Miller, wife of James Miller, were the children of Roger Bruce and his wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth (Forbush) Bruce obviously died toward the end of April 1746.

The vital records of Southborough give the date of Roger's death as Sept. 16, 1733, but since he signed his will on December 8, 1733 and the heirs agreed to the terms of the will on December 25 of that year, the correct date would most likely be December 16 rather than September 16.

Roger married Elizabeth Forbush in 1690 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Daniel Fforbes (Forbush) and Rebecca Perriman) was born on 16 Mar 1669 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 27 Apr 1746 in Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daniel FORBUSH was born about 1640 in Cambridge, Middlesex, MA?. (1047) Placekeeper that he was about 20 when married. This is a strong possibility. A bereavement notice (See Elizabeth) that captures her as being Elizabeth Forbush, also mentions brother Samuel. This Daniel had both a son, Samuel, and a daughter Elizabeth, she being born at Cambridge, March 16, 1669.


Other children of this family included Daniel, Thomas, Rebecca . Daniel marries Deborah Rediat at Concord and has children born in Marshfield. Thomas marries Deborah Rice at Cambridge. Rebecca marries a Byles.


He was married to Rebecca PERRIMAN on 26 Mar 1660 in Cambridge, Middlesex, MA. (1048) Children were: Elizabeth FORBUSH .




Elizabeth FORBUSH was born on 16 Mar 1669 in Cambridge, Middlesex, MA. (1049) The diary was edited by Francis G. Walett (Worcester, Mass., 1974): page 15, for 27 April 1746 reads: “On the Occasion of the Death of my Honoured Mother, and Several other Bereavments (Ex. gr. Captain [Samuel] Forbush and Mrs. [Rebecca] Byles mourn for the loss of their sister Bruce and Ensign [Abijah] Bruce and Mrs. [Sarah] Miller the Loss of their Mother; . . .).” Parents: Daniel FORBUSH and Rebecca PERRIMAN.


She was married to Roger(1) BRUCE in 1690 in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA.(1050)Roman only names her as Elizabeth. Adams names her as Elizabeth Gould Children were: Samuel BRUCE, Abijah BRUCE, Elisha BRUCE, Rebecca BRUCE, Sarah BRUCE, Daniel BRUCE, Thomas BRUCE, Hannah BRUCE, Deliverance BRUCE, David BRUCE.





source: http://mayflowerfamilies.com/?page_id=1337

Notes:

Notes on Isaac Woods

Isaac Woods moved to Marlborough with his family when he was about six years old. He married there about 1682 to Mary Maynard, daughter of his neighbor John Maynard. She apparently died of complications from childbirth two days after the birth of their fourth child. Isaac was taxed four shillings in the Andros tax of 1688.[4] In 1696-7 school was kept at Isaac Woods' old house which was then unoccupied.[1/99] In 1702 he opposed the settlement of Mr. Emerson as minister for Marlborough.[1/102] In 1711, during Queen Anne's War (one of the French and Indian Wars), Isaac was assigned to Jonathan Newton's garrison, the same one to which Roger Bruce was assigned.[1/110] This was in the part of town that soon after became Southborough.

His will, dated 8 June and proved 17 Aug 1720, mentioned his wife Mary, eldest sons Isaac and Joseph, youngest sons Charles and Solomon, daughter Dinah, and daughters by a former wife Mary and Elizabeth. His wife was made the executrix. The inventory of the estate was taken 2 Aug 1720 by Isaac Bellows, David Fay, and Edward Goddard and totaled 515.18.06. It included housing and lands valued at 337.10.00 and personal property valued at 178.08.06.[2/16:134]

1 - 3 ISAAC WOODS m. Mary ____. She d. Feb. 3, 1689, and he m. May 8, 1700, Mary Fairbanks, of Sherborn. He d. July 18, 1720. His will, dated June 8, 1720, mentions wife Mary, and dau. Mary and Elizabeth, by a former wife, and sons Isaac and Joseph, Charles and Solomon.
children of Mary -----
3 - 15 Ephraim, b. March 14, 1685; d. Sept. 27, 1698.
3 - 16 Mary, b. March 13, 1687; m. Abijah Bruce.
3 - 17 Elizabeth, b. Feb. 1, 1689.

children of Mary Fairbanks
3 - 18 Isaac, b. April 11, 1701.
3 - 19 Margret, b. July I1, 1703; d. March 12, 1719.
3 - 20 Joseph, b. Aug. 20, 1705.
3 - 21 Dinah, b. Oct. 31, 1708.
3 - 22 Bethia, b. Nov. 11, 1710; d. June 29, 1715.
3 - 23 Charles, b. April 28, 1714. ************* Probably the one! !**********3 - 24 Solomon, b. Oct. 12, 1717.

References: [1] The History of Marlborough - Charles Hudson, 1862 [2] Middlesex County Probate (First Series Docket 25441)

Isaac married Mary Maynard in 1682 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of John Maynard and Mary Hill Gates) was born on 3 Aug 1658 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 3 Feb 1689 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Mary Bishop on 16 Mar 1669. Mary was born in Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Elizabeth Knight on 2 Jan 1672 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 13 Aug 1637, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Notes:

Thomas BRUCE was born between 1630 and 1640 in Scotland or England. He died probably between 1714 and 1721 in Marlborough, MA, probably. Thomas is the earliest Bruce discovered in Marlborough to date (1676).

Known Events:

1676:
NEHGR 35:218-219: The earliest record of Thomas is when in 1676, Thomas Bruce is among those petitioners sustaining losses in the Sudbury Indian Fight (King Phillip's War) of 1676 He is also among those petitioning the general court as a distressed inhabitant of Sudbury.

1679:
MJR--Middlesex County Deeds, p. 296: The Selectmen of Marlboro agreed with Thomas Bruce that he would build and operate for the town's use a mill to be located near the confluence of Angle Brook and Stoney Brook to be in operation by January 1680. In return, Thomas was granted 40 acres of land and ten acres of meadow. The agreement was sign by Abraham Williams for the town and "Thomas Breuis" for himself. By original agreement the land was to revert to the town if Thomas were to cease operations of the mill. By 1702, however, the mill was at least partially destroyed, and at his request, and it was so voted that the land be granted to him free and clear.

1688:
NEHGR 36:51: In 1688, Thomas Bruse Jr. and John Bruse and Thomas Bruse are among those listed in Marlborough for Taxes under Andros.

1691:
NEHGR: 43:372: Thomas Bruse, Sr. is among those settled at the garrison at Marlborough, Middlesex Co. 1691/2

NEHGR40:400: Thomas Brewes is mentioned several times as those of Sudbury involved in King Phillip's war and having sustained loss.

1699:
MJR--Middlesex County Deeds, p. 296: On January 29, 1699, Thomas and Magdalen, "my wife," disposed of his land and part interest in his saw mill to sons David and Roger.

1702:
MJR--Worcester County Deeds 16:60, 20:584: Samuel Ward of Marlborough exchange land in which Thomas Bruce describes himself as "Thomas Bruce Senr, Miller."

1706:
MJR--Worcester County Deeds, 15:149: On April 13, 1706, Thomas Bruce Senr, in fatherly love, gives Roger halft part of his house lot granted by the town, with all the housing and Corn Mill and half of Sawmills standing thereon, and also, "my whole Estate . . ."

1709-10
MJR--Worcester County Deeds 15:148: Thomas was still alive at this date, for he disposes of land to his grandson, David, including "one half of all my right" in the land which was gven to him for building and maintaining a mill. He mentions with the document that he makes this grant for "Divers good causes and other weighty considerations moving me thereto . . ." It is obvious that Thomas is uncomfortable for some reason with events in his life. Magdalen did not sign this will, and it could be conjectured that as she signed earlier documents, she was by now deceased.

1710-1721:
MJR-Middlesex County Deeds, p. 299: An attorney was hired in 1710 by Samuel Bigelow, guardian and maternal grandfather of Thomas' grandson David, to represent his interest against the town which wished to nullify earlier land agreements with early residents--David, through Thomas, was among those so affected. A settlement was reached and David was granted twenty acres, in exchange for extinguishment of his half of the rights. In October, 1714, Thomas was granted twenty acres in a similar action. Finally in a meeting of May 8, 1721, a committee was appointed to agree on the bound of one acre of the twenty granted to Thomas and to settle with his heirs. Therefore, Thomas died between 1714 and 1721.

NEHGR 63:224: Colonial Records of Marlborough: Referencing the reserved land at Fort Meadow, A "commeetty" is to call John Shearman to show the bounds of an acre of meadow Granted to Thomas Bruce. Thomas Bruce is also those among those shown to have been issued a "primitive" grant.
Children were: John (2) BRUCE, Thomas (2) BRUCE, Roger(1) BRUCE, David BRUCE.

Thomas Bruce was an early resident of Sudbury and Marlborough in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Much of what is known about him comes from land deeds of Middlesex County. He was a farmer and miller and had a wife Magdalen and sons David and Roger and probably Thomas.[5]

The earliest record of him is a list of inhabitants of Sudbury, dated April 21, 1676, who sustained monetary losses during King Phillip's War. Thomas' loss was given as ten pounds.[6]

He was still residing in Sudbury three years later when the Selectmen of Marlboro on June 9, 1679 agreed with Thomas Bruce that he would build and operate for the town's use a mill to be located near the confluence of Angle Brook and Stoney Brook to be in operation by January 1680 "if God permit". In return the town granted Thomas forty acres of land and ten acres of meadow. The agreement was signed by Abraham Williams for the town and "Thomas Breuis" for himself.[1/296]

The house lot of forty acres that Thomas received was described as being on the north side of Stoney Brook and, included within its western part, a portion of Angle Brook. The exact location would be difficult to determine today, since that area was flooded in 1898 under the Sudbury Reservoir.[1/296-7]

By the original agreement, the land was to revert to the town if Thomas were to cease operation of the mill for any reason except beyond his control. By 1702, however, the mill was at least partially destroyed making difficult his compliance with the agreement, and he requested, and "it was so voated that he be aqitted from any further engagement" and the land was granted to him free and clear.[1/297]

Thomas disposed of his land to sons David and Roger.
"... Thomas Bruce of Marlburough in the County of Middlx in New England husbandman and Magdalen ... my wife ... For the naturall Love good will and affection we bare to our dutyfull Sone David Bruce of the abovesd Town and County husbandman ... Confirm unto our Said son David Bruce ... the one moiety or halfe part of Forty acres of Land ... within the ... abovesd Town ... as it was granted to me the Said Thomas Bruce by the abovesd Town; also the one ... halfe part of Ten acres of medow ... Scittuated in the abovesd Town of ye north side of Stony Brooke ... also the one ... half part of ye saw mill now in my possesion ..." January 29, 1699. Both signed by mark.[2/13:5]

This would seem to have been a wedding gift of the parents to David as he married MARY BIGELOW four days later.[5]

On Feb. 17, 1702 Samuel Ward of Marlborough granted "Thos. Bruce Senr, Miller" a meadow of three acres in Marlborough lying on both sides of Stony Brook.[2/16:601] In exchange for this property Thomas granted Samuel Ward several parcels of land. Thomas also described himself as "Thomas Bruce Senr, Miller" in this deed.[2/20:584] The Stony Brook section of Marlborough was later set off to form the town of Southborough. Thomas' son Roger, who lived in that area, was one of the petitioners for the new town.[5]

The relationship with Roger is born out by a deed dated April 13, 1706. "... I Thomas Bruce Senr ... for and in consideration of a fatherly love and good will which I have and do bear unto my loving son Roger Bruce both of us belonging and situate in the town of Marlborough ... by this Deed of Gift, give and confirm unto my loving son Roger Bruce ... the half part of my house lott which was granted to me by the town of Marlborough lying ... partly along Stony Brooke ... with all the housing and Corn Mill and half the said Sawmills which are standing thereupon ... and also my whole Estate ..." Thomas and Magdalen both signed by mark.[2/15:149]

No will of Thomas Bruce has been found, and he probably never wrote one. It is likely he disposed of his estate in this and other deeds.[5]

His death date is unknown, but he was certainly living January 2, 1709-10 when he gave land to his grandson, as it seems, in anticipation of his death. "... I Thomas Bruce Senr ... Miller for and in consideration of love, good will and affection which I have and do bear toward my loving grandson David Bruce belongning to ye Town of Watertown in ye same county ... for Divers good causes and other weighty considerations moving me thereunto ... grant unto my loving grandson ... one half of all my right ... in the Common Land which was given to me the said Thomas Bruce by the aforesaid Town of Marlborough ... for building and maintaining a mill, according to an agreement with Said Town ...".[2/15:148] Thomas signed by mark. Magdalen did not sign this deed and may have died since 1706 when she signed the previous deed.[5]

The "weighty considerations" may have been health related or may have been based on the fact that the town, growing and wanting to transfer common land to the newcomers, desired to be free of its obligations granted to earlier residents allowing them to take timber from this land.

Samuel Bigelow, guardian and maternal grandfather of Thomas' grandson David, hired attorney John Sherman in 1710 to represent David's case to the town. The town had attempted to nullify Thomas' rights to the common land when he transferred his ownership. Settlement was reached and David Bruce was granted twenty acres in compensation for extinguishment of his half of the rights.

In October 1714 Thomas was granted twenty acres in a similar action. The final action recorded by the town on the settlement of these claims was at a meeting May 8, 1721 when a committee was appointed to meet with John Sherman and agree on bounds of one acre of the twenty granted to Thomas and settle with his heirs.[1/299] Therefore Thomas Bruce died between 1714 and 1721.

The name of Thomas Bruce, Sr. appears on a tax list for the town of Marlborough in the year 1688. His tax was 9 shillings, 6 pence.[4] Thomas Bruce, Senior was one of twelve men assigned to the garrison of the West Regiment of Middlesex County in Marlborough on March 15, 1691-2. Isaac How's name was at the top of the list, so the garrison may have been at his house.[3] The term "Sr." did not have the same strict meaning 300 years ago as it does today. It had a broader meaning which could refer to the elder of two men of the same name whether they were related or not. Thus Thomas Bruce, Sr. did not necessarily have a son Thomas, although it can be assumed for lack of any other information.

Thomas may also have had a son John. He apparently omitted Thomas from a division of his estate and may have treated John in the same way. These children, if they were Thomas' children at all, may also have been provided for in some other manner. At any rate, John Bruce does not seem to have belonged to the Woburn Bruces, and his son John went to Brookfield as did some of the children of Roger, a known child of Thomas Bruce.[5]

It is a mystery where Thomas came from. One possibility is the county of Suffolk in England where the name is popular. Another possibility, and subject of some speculation, is that he was a Scottish prisoner taken by Lord Cromwell in the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 and then sent (or sold into servitude) to this country. Tradition in the family has it that the name (i.e. Bruce) was Scottish and are related to Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, but this may be due to the fact that someone made the connection with no other evidence.

Another intriguing possibility is the marriage found in the International Genealogy Index (IGI) between Thomas Bruce and Magdalen Evans 12 December 1652 in the Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Westminster, London, England.[8] It seems, based on the marriage dates of their children, that Thomas and Magdalen would have been too young to have married in 1652, but the timing is not out of the question. And it's possible that they emigrated in the early 1670's with their youngest children.

Another family tradition passed down is that we descend from an Indian princess. The story goes that an early Bruce had some big dogs that prevented Indians from crossing the Bruce land. This early Bruce came out and called off the dogs, allowing the Indians to pass. He befriended the Indians and ended up marrying the chief's daughter. No evidence has been found to support this story.



REF: [1] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1982 (pgs.294-301)
[2] Middlesex County Deeds
[3] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1889 (pg.372)
[4] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1882 (pg.192)
[5] The Bruce Family (Manuscript at NEHGS) - Winifred Lovering Holman
[6] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1881 (pg.219)
[7] The History of Marlborough - Charles Hudson, 1862
[8] IGI batch no. M001451, sheet no. 00 extracted from LDS
microfilm number 0560369 (parish records 1550-1653)

Children:

1. Thomas, b. prob. abt. 1665, no mention of him found as he probably died young and unmarried

2. John, b. abt. 1667, m. abt. 1694 Elizabeth ____, d. prob. 1739

3. Roger, b. prob. abt. 1670, d. 16 Dec 1733, Southborough, MA m. Elizabeth Forbush, b. Cambridge, MA 16 Mar 1669,
d. Southborough, MA in Apr 1746

4. David, b. prob. abt. 1675, d. Marlborough 22 Jul 1701, m.
Watertown 2 Feb 1699 Mary Bigelow, b. 12 Sep 1677, d. Sudbury, MA 21 Feb 1707-8 (Mary later married Thomas Read IV on 03 Dec 1701 in Sudbury or Wayland, Middlesex, MA

Chil.: 1) David Bruce, b. 20 Dec 1700, m. 20 Feb 1727 Mary Brigham, b. 1701 (David was the son or David Bruce and Mary Bigelow)

Thomas married Magdalen Evans on 12 Dec 1652 in Saint Martin In The Fields, Westminster, London, England. Magdalen was born in 1640 in London, London, England; died in 1709 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Daniel Farrabas
• Name: Daniel Farrabas
• Name: Daniel Forbush

Daniel married Rebecca Perriman on 27 Mar 1660 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Rebecca (daughter of John Perriman and Mary Snelling) was born on 26 Mar 1639 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 3 May 1677 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1675, Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA

John married Mary Parmenter on 10 Oct 1633 in Saint Peters, Sudbury, England. Mary (daughter of Deacon John Parmenter and Bridget Daveye) was born on 17 Aug 1610 in Little Yeldham, Essex, England; died on 17 Aug 1690 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1649, , , Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

John Maynard was a Freeman in 1644. It is supposed he was married when he came to this country, and that he brought with him his son John, who was then about eight years old. Perhaps there were other children. He married for his second wife Mary Axdell, in 1646. He had by this marriage Zachery (born June 7, 1647), Elizabeth, Lydia, Hannah, and Mary, who married Daniel Hudson. Mr. Maynard was one of the petitioners for Marlboro, and died at Sudbury, Dec. 10, 1672. The Maynard family has been prominent in the town, and honorably connected with its annals. Nathaniel Maynard was captain of a company in the Revolutionary War.

The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. By Alfred Sereno Hudson. Publication date 1891. Pages 202, 203

John married Mary Hill Gates on 5 Apr 1658 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary was born on 15 Oct 1636 in Hingham, Norfolk, England; died in 1678 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Hannah. Hannah was born in 1620 in , , , England; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Joan. Joan died on 20 Jan 1646 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 5 Mar 1597, Clackmannan, Clackmannanshire, Scotland

Archibald married Marion Gray on 12 Jul 1625 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. Marion was born in 1600 in , , Scotland; died in , , Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Duncan married Janet Sutherland in 1618 in , , Scotland. Janet was born in 1588 in Kinellar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; died on 8 Nov 1651 in Kinellar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary Snelling. Mary was born about 1618 in Plympton, Devon, England; died in 1693 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Bridget Daye on 20 Nov 1593 in Halifax, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire, England. Bridget was born in 1575 in Saint Peters, Sudbury, England; died on 1 Aug 1628 in Sudbury, Suffolk, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1634, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA
• Residence: 29 May 1644, , , Massachusetts, USA

John married Elizabeth on 28 Jul 1627 in , , Cambridgeshire, England. Elizabeth was born in 1602 in , , Cambridgeshire, England; died in 1633 in , , Cambridgeshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]