Hyacinthe Seguin

Louis married Marie Anne Raizenne on 8 Apr 1736 in Oka, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Québec, Canada. Marie (daughter of Josiah Rising and Abigail Nims) was born on 11 May 1714 in Oka, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Québec, Canada; died on 25 Mar 1787 in Oka, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Québec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1736, , , , Canada

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1715, Oka, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Québec, Canada

Notes:

Josiah Rising was born on February 2, 1694 to John Rising and Sarah Hall. Josiah's mother died when he was 4 years old and he was sent to live with his father's cousin, Mehuman Hinsdell.

Mehuman had been the first child born in Deerfield Massachusetts. His father, his grand-father and two of his Hinsdell uncles were killed in the 1675 Bloody Brook Massacre during King Phillip's War. Mehuman lived just across the way from the Nims family. Josiah would surely have known his future wife, Abigail Nims.

By 1703 were still no English settlements west of Deerfield for fifty miles, until the Hudson River and New York. Nor were there English towns north of Deerfield at all. To the east was forty miles of wilderness. It was a time of great anxiety, similar to the time of King Phillip's War. Queen Anne's War had begun, and the New York Governor Lord Cornbury had sent word in May that the French soldiers and their Native American allies were heading down from Canada towards Deerfield and the Connecticut Valley.

Deerfield strengthened its fortifications, and the Massachusetts General Court sent soldiers from Boston to help protect the town. All was quiet as winter descended, and Josiah's family must have felt some relief, as wars are not usually fought in the cold and snow of a New England winter. However, as a precaution, everyone, including the 20 Massachusetts soldiers, slept in the dozen houses that were inside the palisades of Deerfield, leaving the other thirty or so houses empty. A watchman patrolled the town every night.

Two hours before dawn, on the leap-year morning of February 29, 1704, as Deerfield's residents slept, joint French and Native American forces under the command of Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville gathered two miles north of town, just across the Deerfield River. De Rouville's forces consisted of 47 French and French-Canadian soldiers, including regular army men and coureur de bois, and 200 Native Americans, mostly Abenaki, Kanienkehaka and Wyandot, as well as a few Pocumtuck. They had made their way south on snowshoes, walking atop the frozen waterways - up the Sorel River to Lake Champlain, up the Winooski River, and onto the upper Connecticut River. They had left a few of their party, plus the sleds and provisions, some twenty-five miles above Deerfield.

Silently, De Rouville's forces they crossed the river and made their way towards Deerfield. They were able to move quietly in the snow that dampens all sound. Heavy snowdrifts piled against the walls surrounding Deerfield - they were so high that the attackers easily scaled the ten to twelve-foot high walls.


When they were discovered by the watchman, (who has been accused of being unfaithful to his duty that night,) he discharged his musket and cried, "Arm! arm!" This was the signal for the assault. Doors and windows were broken down; men, women, and children dragged from their beds, murdered in cold blood, or bound as captives. De Rouville's forces had the advantage, despite the townspeople's efforts to fight back. The main body of the French stood to their arms, firing upon the houses and killing all who resisted, shooting the cattle and sheep, while detached parties were securing "provisions, drink, and clothing," which were packed up and carried to their rendezvous, others collecting and guarding the prisoners and leading them to the same place.

Just after 8:00 a.m., English reinforcements charged up from Hadley and Hatfield. The French and Natives were driven from the fort. The siege being raised, the brave garrison, with men from Captain Wells, joined their rescuers. There were 57 men in all, and they pursued the retreating enemy across the meadows. De Rouville, noticing their small numbers, halted his front and formed an ambuscade. Into this the English, let on by Sergeant Wait, fell, in spite of a command to retreat by the cautious Captain Wells. Nine men were killed in this trap and the ensuing retreat. De Rouville's forces chased the English back into the stockades, then withdrew to Petty's Plain. Deerfield was destroyed. At the battles end, almost half of the houses were burned down, 22 men, 9 women and 25 children were dead, another 109 had been taken captive, including 11 year old Josiah, and his uncle Mehuman.

The captives were forced on a months-long, 300 mile journey to Quebec. As it was winter, the conditions were harsh and 21 of the captives died or were killed along the way.

Josiah was adopted by the Catholic Iroquois at Sault au Récollet mission, and given the name Shoetakani, which means "his village has been taken from him." Some of the captives, like Josiah, received special attention from the local Sulpician priests, who wanted to convert them to Catholicism. As a result of this, Josiah developed ties to the French community. He was baptized and given the French name Ignace Raizenne, Ignace after his god-father, Ignace Kanatagariasse, and Raizenne was the way that the French pronounced Rising. Eventually, Abbé Maurice Quéré de Treguron, one of the Sulpicians, ransomed Josiah from the Iroquois, and he came to live among the French. In July 1715, Ignace. as he was now called, married a fellow Deerfiled captive, Elisabeth Stebenne (born Abigail Nims.)

In 1719, Ignace's father John Rising died. His will left his "well-be-loved son Josiah, now in Captivity" 5 pounds should he ever return.

Ignace, however, chose to remain in New France. He and Elisabeth settled in the newly formed mission of Oka in 1721, where they received a large grant of land, where they raised 9 children. It is not surprising that Ignace would chose to stay among the French and the Native Americans. There was little for him to go back to, as he had few close relatives left in New England, and he had been taken when he was young enough that he adapted well to his new home. Ignace also had become a devout Catholic. Having been so influenced by the priests and nuns in their formative years, Ignace and Elisabeth's household was ordered in the ways of the religious life. Two of his daughters became nuns, and one of his sons became a priest. The oldest daughter, fluent in Mohawk, joined the Congregation de Notre Dame and spent 54 years as a schoolteacher at Lac des Deux Montagnes. the younger daughter eventually became the Superior of the Congregation de Notre Dame, while the son joined the Sulpicians. In addition, 7 of Ignace and Elisabeth's grand-children devoted their lives to the Catholic Church: 2 grand-daughters joined the Congregation de Notre Dame, 2 grand-daughters joined the Hotel-Dieu, 2 grand-daughters joined the Grey Nuns and 1 grand-son became a priest.

Ignace died December 30, 1771, in Oka. He was buried in the Chapelle des Rois.

Josiah married Abigail Nims on 29 Jul 1713 in Deux-Montagnes, Deux-Montagnes, Québec, Canada. Abigail (daughter of Godfrey Nims and Mehitable Smead) was born on 27 May 1700 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 19 Feb 1748 in Oka, Lac des Deux Montagnes, Québec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Sarah Hale on 27 Nov 1684 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Sarah was born on 23 Apr 1665 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 11 Oct 1698 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact 1: Godefrois Nismes
• Fact 2: Huguenot?
• Fact 4: Soldier in King Phillip's War.
• Fact 3: 1667; Northampton, Massachusetts
• Fact 5: 18 May 1676; Engaged in the "Falls Fight".
• Residence: 1679, Hatfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

The background of Godfrey Nims of Deerfield, Massachusetts is a mystery. One family tradition has it that he was a Huguenot, came to America as a lad, at first spelled his name Godefroi de Nismes, but changed the spelling to suit the colonial pronunciation. Others suggest he was of English birth with French ancestry. No documentary evidence has been found to verify any country of origin despite the efforts made over the years by The Nims Family Association.

The first official record of Godfrey Nims appears on September 24, 1667, in a Springfield, Massachusetts, court record. The transcript follows:

James Bennet, Godfrey Nims & Benoni Stebbins, young lads of Northampton being by Northampton Commissionrs bound over to the Corte to answer for diverse crimes & misdemeanors committed by them, were brought to this Corte by ye Constable of yt Towne wch 3 lads are accused by Robert Bartlett for that they gott into his house two Sabbath dayes when all the family were at the Publike Meeting: On ye first of wch tymes, the vizt. 24 shillings in silver & 7s in Wampum with the intention to run away to the French: Al which is by them confessed, wch wickedness of theirs hath also been accompanyd with frequent lying to excuse & justify themselves especially on Nims his pt, who seemes hath been a ringleader in their vilainys: ffor all wch their crimes and misdemeanors this Corte doth Judge yt the said 3 lads shalbe well whipt on their naked bodys vist, Nims & Bennet with 15 lashes apiece & Bononi Stebbins with 11 lashes. And the said Nims & Stebbins are to pay Robert Bartlett the summe of 4L being counted treble according to law for what goods he hath lost by their meanes.?

History tells us Godfrey Nims was off to a rough start in America, as all of us have had occasions in our life that we had to rise above, and better ourselves. This is exactly what Godfrey Nims did over 300 years ago. The records of Massachusetts list Godfrey Nims as one of many from Northampton who signed a petition in 1668 requesting relief from taxation on goods brought into the colony?s ports. He also appears with others when taking the Oath of Fidelity to the government on March 25, 1672/3, at the County Court at Northampton.

Family folklore tells us that Godfrey soon came to Deerfield, Massachusetts around 1670, possibly being one of the third to settle here. A deed dated 1679 gives the first written confirmation that Godfrey settled at Deerfield. He later shared in the holding of public offices, including constable, tax collector, selectman and a member of the school committee.

In 1677 he married Mary Miller Williams a widow. Her husband Zebediah had been killed by Indians. After Mary?s death in 1688, Godfrey married Mehitable Smead Hull in 1692, another widow. Godfrey had six children with Mary and five with Mehitable, in addition to caring for two stepchildren each that the widows brought to the marriages.

The records reveal, Godfrey Nims joined the Puritan society in the Connecticut Valley. He learned to make his living as a cordwainer, (shoemaker) as well as a farmer. The present day White Church, town office, town hall and Memorial Hall all stand on land formerly owned by Godfrey. J.R. Trumbull?s History of Northampton, Massachusetts describes Godfrey as ?the owner of considerable property and an honored and respected citizen.?

Godfrey Nims grew up from being a young lad in trouble with the law to having a good life in Massachusetts, with a family of 15 children. Godfrey Nims bought land in Deerfield in 1674. He was among the first earlier permanent settlers here. In 1692 he bought lot No. 27 and November 21, 1694 he bought lot No. 28. These two lots united became the Nims home lot, and has never been out of the family. The present house standing is more than two hundred years old.

He endured grave hardships in his life. May 19,1676 he served in the Falls Fight against the Pocumtuck Indians. Approximately 140 settlers marched into the dead of night into the wilderness to surprise the Indians at the salmon fishing falls near the mouth of Fall River. Some 400 Indians were killed, and 40 settlers were lost in this fight. Of them was James Bennett, friend of Godfrey's and Captain Turner. January 4, 1694 his home was destroyed in a fire, and four year old Jeremiah Hull died in the fire. Godfrey's son Henry, about 10 years old, accidently caused the fire, and was able to save one child from the room where Jeremiah slept. Henry tired to get Jeremiah from the room but the flames would not allow it.

He worked and faced tragedies and dangers common of that time. March 3, 1701 Godfrey Nims, Sergant Allyn, and Corporal Wells were chosen to lay a road to the land on the west side of the river. This led through to the present Main street of Greenfield, and northerly through Greenfield Meadows. In 1702 Godfrey and Benoni Stebins were on the school committee.

The worst tragedy was on February 29, 1704, the French & Indian 1704 massacre of Deerfield, Massachusetts. The French and Indians attacked about two hours before day break. The attackers burned most buildings and killed or took captive most of the settlers. It left him with no wife, and at the time with only a daughter, 20 year old Thankful Nims, Munn. Her home was dug into the side of a mountain, and the opening was concealed by the deep snow drifts. Godfrey?s family members were killed or taken captive in the 1704 raid on Deerfield, his second wife captured, dying on the forced march to Canada. One son killed, and one captured to be released ten years later; four daughters killed that day; one daughter captured and taken to Canada, never to return. A step-daughter, Mary Williams Brooks and a son-in-law, Phillip Mattoon, captured and killed on the march; a grandchild, infant Mattoon killed in the attack.

Prior to the 1704 attack, on October 8, 1703 a son, John 24 years old and Godfrey?s stepson Zebediah Williams, age 28, were captured by Indians and taken to Canada. John escaped May 14, 1705 after his father had passed away and Zebediah died a captive in 1706. Godfrey died without knowing the fate of his these surviving children.

According to the Nims Family Association, it is from the four surviving children, of Godfrey Nims, John, Ebenezer, Thankful and Abigail that members of the Nims family are descended.

Godfrey married Mehitable Smead on 27 Jun 1692 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Mehitable (daughter of William Smead, Jr and Elizabeth Lawrence) was born on 2 Jan 1668 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA; died on 4 Mar 1704 in , , Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mehitable Smead was born in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts on January 2, 1667 to William Smead and Elizabeth Laurence. The family moved to Pocumtuck, now known as Deerfield, Massachusetts. It was a dangerous place to live, being situated on the frontier of New England.

In 1675, King Philip's war began. On one side were the English colonists and thier Native American allies, while on the other were the Wampanoag, Anawon, Tuspaquin, Nipmuc, and Pocumtuc tribes, joined together under the leadership of Metacom, chief of the Wampanoags. (The war was named after Metacom, who was given the nickname "King Philip" by the English, who found his mannerisms haughty.)

On September 18, 1675, the natives attacked Pocumtuck, destroying homes and forcing many of the inhabitants to flee. Captain Thomas Lathrop was ordered to take his troops to Deerfield, and there, with the remaining townsmen, to retrieve any salvageable grain and bring it to the garrisons at Hadley, Northampton and Hatfield. Among the 80 - 100 men bringing back the grain was Mehitable's older brother, William Smead. He was driving one of the wagons.

Captain Mosely and his Pocumtuck garrison sent out scouts ahead of Lathrop, but Captain Lathrop did not send out any vanguard or flankers, even though the trail led through some dense forest, thinking it unlikely that such a large group of English would be attacked. About 5 miles outside of Deerfield, the convoy emerged from the forest into a narrow, swampy thicket. There they slowed down in preparation to cross Muddy Brook. The convoy ended up bunched all together before the brook. It was a particularly hot day. Realizing that it would take time to get everyone across, the soldiers tossed their rifles on top of the wheat and began to relax. Some soldiers began to gather the wild grapes that grew alongside the brook.

700 Native Americans lay in ambush. Metacom was there, leading the Wapanoags and the Nipmuck bands were there under Sagamore Same, Mantaup, One-eyed John, Matoonas, and Panquahow. At a given signal, the warriors sprang their trap. Chaos followed, as bullets and arrows flew at the bewildered English from every direction. Captain Lathrop fell immediately. Within minutes, over 70 of the English were killed, and the scalping began. The sluggish little brook ran red with blood, earning it the name 'Bloody Brook.' Among the dead was 15 year old William Smead. Period writer William Hubbard called it "the saddest day that ever befell New England."

Even though much of Pocumtuck was destroyed, the stubborn English settlers built a new town on the site. Shunning the old Native American name, they called it Deerfield. Mehitable remained there, and married another Deerfield resident, Jeremiah Hull, the son of Jeremiah Hull and Hannah Baldwin. They had two children together, Elizabeth and Jeremiah. Her husband died on December 11, 1691.

On June 27, 1692, Mehitable married a cordwainer named Godfrey Nims, the widower of Mary Margaret (Miller) Williams. Godfrey had several children from his first marriage, Rebecca, John, Henry, Thankful and Ebenezer Nims as well as two step-children, Mary and Zebediah Williams. The family lived in Deerfield, Massachusetts, where Godfrey bought the lot on which the second church, the town house and the Memorial Hall now stand, and they built a house.

On the night of January 4, 1693, tragedy struck. Godfrey's son Henry went upstairs into the bedroom where Mehitable's son Jeremiah and another child were sleeping. He brought a light with him, and accidentally set some flax or tow on fire. The flames quickly spread. Henry carried one of the sleeping children downstairs to safety, but when he came back up for little Jeremiah, it was too late to save him. The entire home burned to the ground that night.

Godfrey and Mehitable then purchased the adjoining lot to their old place, and built a new home. They had 5 children together: Thomas, Mehitable, the twins - Mercy and Mary, and Abigail. Sadly, Thomas died on November 6, 1693 at 3 years of age.

On September 16, 1696, a small party of Native Americans surprised Mehitable's brother John Smead, and John Gillet, on Green River. They captured Gillet, and pushed on to Deerfield, where most of the inhabitants were collected in the fort attending a lecture. Daniel Belding and his family were late and headed for the lecture when the Native Americans attacked them. Mrs. Belding and three of the children were killed, two others were wounded, while the remaining two children and Daniel Belding were taken captive. The Deerfield residents discovered what was happening and went to their aid. They managed to wound one of the attackers, but they could not rescue the Beldings. Mehitable's step-son Zebediah Williams was wounded in the fighting.

By 1703 were still no English settlements west of Deerfield for fifty miles, until the Hudson River and New York. Nor were there English towns north of Deerfield at all. To the east was forty miles of wilderness. It was a time of great anxiety, similar to the time of King Phillip's War. Queen Anne's War had begun, and the New York Govenernor Lord Cornbury had sent word in May that the French soldiers and their Native American allies were heading down from Canada towards Deerfield and the Connecticut Valley. In October, a small Native American force struck, capturing Mehitable's step-sons Zebediah Williams and John Nims. She never saw them again.

Deerfield strengthened its fortifications, and the Massachusetts General Court sent soldiers from Boston to help protect the town. All was quiet as winter descended, and Mehitable and her family must have felt some relief, as wars are not usually fought in the cold and snow of a New England winter. However, as a precaution, everyone, including the 20 Massachusetts soldiers, slept in the dozen houses that inside the pallisades of Deerfield, where the Nims home was located, leaving the other thirty or so houses empty. A watchman patrolled the town every night.

Two hours before dawn, on the leap-year morning of February 29, 1704, as Deerfield's residents slept, joint French and Native American forces under the command of Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville gathered two miles north of town, just across the Deerfield River. De Rouville's forces consisted of 47 French and French-Canadian soldiers, including regular army men and coureur de bois, and 200 Native Americans, mostley Abenaki, Kanienkehaka and Wyandot, as well as a few Pocumtuck. They had made their way south on snoeshoes, walking atop the frozen waterways - up the Sorel River to Lake Champlain, up the Winooski River, and onto the upper Connectiut River. They had left a few of their party, plus the sleds and provisions, some twenty-five miles above Deerfield.

Silently, De Rouville's forces they crossed the river and made their way towards Deerfield. They were able to move quietly in the snow that dampens all sound. Heavy snowddrifts piled against the walls surrounding Deerfield - they were so high that the attackers easily scaled the ten to twelve-foot high walls.


When they were discovered by the watchman (who has been accused of being unfaithful in his duties that night) he discharged his musket and cried, "Arm! arm!" This was the signal for the assault. Doors and windows were broken down; men, women, and children dragged from their beds, murdered in cold blood, or bound as captives. De Rouville's forces had the advantage, despite the townspeoples efforts to fight back. The main body of the French stood to their arms, firing upon the houses and killing all who resisted, shooting the cattle and sheep, while detached parties were securing "provisions, drink, and cloathing," which were packed up and carried to their rendezvous, others collecting and guarding the prisoners and leading them to the same place. The Native forces attacked the Nims house, where they met with resistance. Godfrey and his family (like the Mattoon, Catlin and Frary families) had had the time to rouse and defend themselves, but not enough time to flee. Compared to theresidents of other homes that were attacked, the members of these four families suffered more members killed outright rather than taken captive, probably due to their resistance. The Natives set the Nims house on fire. Godfrey escaped on foot with Deacon Sheldon and a soldier and made it to Wells's Fort, the picketed house of Capt. Wells, who lived on the Fogg lot. De Rouville's forces soon turned their attention to Wells's Fort, which was fiercely assaulted, but successfully defended.

Just after 8:00 a.m., English reinforcementscharged up from Hadley and Hatfield. The French and Natives were driven from the fort. The siege being raised, the brave garrison, with men from Captain Wells, joined their rescuers. There were 57 men in all, and they pursued the retreating enemy across the meadows. De Rouville, noticing their small numbers, halted his front and formed an ambuscade. Into this the English, let on by Sergeant Wait, fell, in spite of a command to retreat by the cautious Captain Wells. Nine men were killed in this trap and the ensuing retreat. De Rouville's forces chased the English back into the stockades, then withdrew to Petty's Plain. Deerfield was destroyed. At the battles end, 22 men, 9 women and 25 children were dead, another 109 had been taken captive, and almost half of the houses were burned down.

Mehitable arguably suffered one of the greatest losses that morning. Her 7 year old daughter Mehitable and her five year old twin daughters Mercy and Mary had been hiding in the cellar of the family home when it was set on fire, and they smothered to death as the house burned above them. A similar tragedy unfolded In the home of her brother, Samuel Smead, were Mehitable's mother Elizabeth, Samuel's wife and his two young children hid in the cellar while he went to get help. Their house was also set on fire, and they all perished. Mehitable's her younger sister Thankful (Smead) Hawks, her brother-in-law John Hawks, her two little nieces Martha and Thankful Hawks, her nephew John Hawks, her step-son Henry, her step-daughter Rebecca (Nims) Mattoon, Rebecca's husband Phillip Mattoon and Rebecca Mattoon's newborn baby were all slain in the attack. Her brother John Smead was shot in the thigh, but survived. Mehitable herself, along with her 3 year old daughter Abigail, her daughter Elizabeth Hull, her step-son Ebenezer, her pregnant step-daughter Mary (Williams) Brooks, Mary's husband Nathaniel Brooks, her step-grand-children Mary and William Brooks, her pregnant sister Waitstill (Smead) Warner and her young nieces Sarah and Waitstill Warner were among the 109 captives.

They began a forced 300 mile march to Quebec. The winter conditions made the march extremely difficult, and as the captors feared pursuit, the pace was gruelling. As captive Stephen Williams later remembered it "they traveled (we thought) as if they Designed to kill us all." Those who were sick or injured and slowing the group down were sometimes slain by their captors. These tended to be adult women and children under 2 years old (who were vulnerable to the harsh weather and diet.) Older children were valued for adoption into the tribe, and were even carried or drawn on sleds by their captors. On the fourth day of the journey, Mehitable's sister Waitstill was killed. On the fifth day, four women were killed: Hepzibah Belding, Mary Frary, Hannah Carter, and Mehitable.

Godfrey, who was not captured in the massacre, died a few months later.

Despite a life marked by tragedy and loss, two of Mehitable's children survived. Through little Abigail Nims, a Deerfield captive who lived out her life in Quebec, Mehitable is the ancestor of many French Canadians, including Seguins, Sabourins, Castonguays and Cheniers, and through her daughter Elizabeth Hull, (redeemed from captivity in 1707) who married Mehitable's step-son John Nims after his escape from captivity, she is the ancestor of many Americans, including actresses Lillian and Dorothy Gish.



Died:
Died as a captive on march to Canada

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1635, , Bermuda

James married Elizabeth Hinsdale on 7 Jul 1657 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born in 1637 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 11 Aug 1669 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1630, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
• Baptism: 13 Nov 1635, Rye, Sussex, England
• Residence: 1680, , , Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

He served in King Philip's War and participated in the Falls Fight under Capt.Turner. His son William was killed at Bloody Brook with Capt.Lothrop.

William Smead was the son of William Smead (d.c1634) and Judith (Stoughton) Denman Smead (1599-1639). Judith was the widow of John Denman, with whom she had two children. William was only three or so when his father died. Judith sailed from Gravesend with her three children on September 3,1635 on the ship “Dorset”. They stopped in the Barbadoes, then continued to New England. She settled with her children in Dorchester. She signed the Dorchester Church covenant in 1636 and was granted 20 acres of land there in 1638.

About the time his mother died, William was apprenticed at age seven or so, to John Pope of Dorchester. Pope died in 1646 and made provision in his will for William, calling him “my Littell boy.” He left to William his looms and tacking if William was willing to live with Pope’s widow, learn the trade, and become a weaver.

He married Elizabeth Lawrence at Dorchester,MA on Dec 31,1658.

Children: William Smead III, Elizabeth Smead Janes, Judith Smead Hawks, Mehitable Hull Smead Nims, Samuel Smead, John Smead, John Smead, Ebenezer Smead, Thankful Smead Hawks, and Waitstill Smead Warner.

It has been suggested that he must be buried at Old Deerfield Cemetery since that was the only cemetery at the time. However, that is not always the case as many ancestors were buried on their homesteads at the time.


https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Smead-2

William married Elizabeth Lawrence on 31 Dec 1658 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Lawrence and Elizabeth Bates) was born on 15 Sep 1635 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA; was christened on 6 Mar 1642; died in 29 Feb 1704 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Judith Stoughton in 1623 in , , , England. Judith (daughter of Thomas Stoughton, Reverend and Katherine Evelyn Montpesson) was born on 3 Jul 1599 in Coggeshall, Essex, England; died on 18 Mar 1639 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1630, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

Judith’s first husband John Denman was born in 1591 in Retford, Nottinghamshire, England. His parents were Nicholas Denman and Lady Anne Hercy. John died 1624 in Retford, Surrey, England.

Judith’s second husband William Smead was born 1601 in England. William died 1636 in Essex, England.

Judith was one of the signers of the Dorchester Church Covenant in 1636, and at the time of her death in 1639 was a widow. The General Court confirmed Israel Stoughton as executor of the will of his sister, Judith Smead, and the disposal of her effects is on record, though no copy of her will has been preserved. Though not proved, it is possible that Judith was a widow before leaving England and that she journeyed to America in 1633 with Israel Stoughton and his wife, Elizabeth.

Judith’s young son was apprenticed rather than taken into the home of his Uncle Israel.

Judith Smead signed the covenant in 1636 with the church at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and in 1638 had a grant of twenty acres there just below the First Burying Ground. An inventory of her estate after her decease was taken on May 18, 1639. She was the mother of John Denman, Mary Denman (wife of Clement Maxfield), and William Smead.

Step-mother of Humphrey Denman, an Elder of the English Reformed Church at Amsterdam, North Holland.

William Smead was the son of William Smead (d.c1634) and Judith (Stoughton) Denman Smead (1599-1639). Judith was the widow of John Denman, with whom she had two children. William was only three or so when his father died. Judith sailed from Gravesend with her three children on September 3,1635 on the ship “Dorset”. They stopped in the Barbadoes, then continued to New England. She settled with her children in Dorchester. She signed the Dorchester Church covenant in 1636 and was granted 20 acres of land there in 1638.

About the time his mother died, William was apprenticed at age seven or so, to John Pope of Dorchester. Pope died in 1646 and made provision in his will for William, calling him “my Littell boy.” He left to William his looms and tacking if William was willing to live with Pope’s widow, learn the trade, and become a weaver.

He married Elizabeth Lawrence at Dorchester,MA on Dec 31,1658.

Children: William Smead III, Elizabeth Smead Janes, Judith Smead Hawks, Mehitable Hull Smead Nims, Samuel Smead, John Smead, John Smead, Ebenezer Smead, Thankful Smead Hawks, and Waitstill Smead Warner.

It has been suggested that he must be buried at Old Deerfield Cemetery since that was the only cemetery at the time. However, that is not always the case as many ancestors were buried on their homesteads at the time.

Thomas married Elizabeth Bates in 1638 in Hingham, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born on 10 Mar 1609 in Limpsfield, Surrey, England; died on 18 Feb 1679 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1628, Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA