Abner Nims

John married Abigail Smead on 16 Jan 1735 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Abigail (daughter of Ebenezer Smead and Esther Catlin) was born on 29 Jan 1718 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 4 Dec 1755 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: John (Twin) Nims
• Married: 1696

Notes:

John Nims, His Capture and Escape
On October 8, 1703, according to the Rev. John Williams ("The Redeemed Captive"), Zebediah Williams and John Nims went into the meadow in the evening to tend livestock and were ambushed by Indians in the ditch beyond Frary's bridge. The Indians fired at them, missed, and took Zebediah right away. Nims ran away to a nearby pond but returned, afraid of getting shot. The Indians wounded the cattle, and marched their captives to Canada. Zebediah died there in 1706. John Nims escaped in 1705, with Joseph Petty, Thomas Baker, and Martin Kellog, all three of whom were among the Feb. 29th captives. The four men walked to New England, via territory that is now Canada, Vermont, and New Hampshire. A letter written by Joseph Petty detailing their experiences survived and was reproduced in The Nims Family Association Book. George Sheldon wrote in his History of Deerfield that they had no weapons, and only meager provisions, but they made it home, more dead than alive from hunger and fatigue. Sheldon says "they were discovered in wisdom in an imbecile condition, and seemed guided more by instinct than by reason...Their appearance when brought in was such as to melt the stoutest heart...Broth, in small quantities, was given at first, and by slow degrees more substantial food, until they were filled. It was a long time before their cravings were satisfied."

Sheldon and the Nims Family Book (more information) also relate the following anecdote, told to Mr. Sheldon by his grandmother:

One day when the fugitives seemed at the last extremity, they discovered and killed a great white owl. This was instantly torn in pieces, which were laid in four piles, and fairly divided, one turning his back, and responding to the query, "Who shall have this?" Each took his share, and hardly waiting to pull off the feathers, tore through the tough fragments with their teeth, like so many ravenous beasts. Grandmother said John Nims always insisted that a wing which fell to him was the sweetest morsel he ever tasted."

source:http://freepages.folklore.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pahlow/nims.htm

Godfrey Nims (John's Father), and the Deerfield Massacre:
Three of his children had smothered to death in the cellar of his home while it burned over their heads, and his son Henry had been slain. His daughter Rebecca Mattoon and her newborn son had been slain. His wife, his son Ebenezer, his infant daughter Abigail, his step-daughter Elizabeth Hull, his son-in-law Philip Mattoon, and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Smead--along with many of other more distant relatives, friends and neighbors--had all been taken away as captives.

Was there, finally, nobody left for Godfrey? Was he all alone? Son John and step-son Zebediah Williams had been captured and carried to Canada a few months ago. His very first child had died shortly after birth; another step-son had died in the first Nims house fire in 1694.

John Nims, the son of Godfrey and Mary Miller. He was born on the14th of August 1679 along with a twin sister, Rebecca. He grew up in Deerfield, Massachusetts and survived. He persevered through sickness, weather, and enemies. John Nims defeated death at every turn; it was meant for him to live. He is our legacy and we are his.

On October 8, 1703 John 24 years old and his half brother Zebediah Williams age 28 were watching the cattle when they were taken by surprise and captured by Indians. They were taken to the Mohawk Fort in Canada. During his time as captive he watched the Indians bring in more prisoners and scalps. He saw many captives brought in from Deerfield, his family and friends among them. He watched their torture and endured his own.

John finally managed to escape on May 14, 1705 with Martin Kellogg, Joseph Petty and Thomas Baker. His return to Deerfield was something short of a miracle. Upon arriving in Deerfield, John found his father Godfrey had passed away early that spring in March.

Zebediah died a captive the following year. And to John’s dismal he was unsuccessful at bringing home his little sister Abigail or his brother Ebenezer. He offered a considerable sum for her ransom and the Indians would have given her up if she had wanted to go. The story was told that she would rather be a poor captive among Catholics than to become a rich heiress of a Protestant family.

John lived on the old homestead and married December 19, 1707, to Elizabeth Hull his stepsister. She too had been a captive at the Mohawk Fort in Canada. Finally, his brother Ebenezer was released in 1714 and came to live with John at the Nims home for a time. John and Elizabeth had twelve children; of which two were born and died on the same day, a daughter died when she was three years old, and his first born, a son named John died when he was two months old. Their last child was Daniel, the son who we descend from. John’s cherished wife, Elizabeth, lived a long and hard life. She passed away at the age of 66 on the 21st of September in 1754; John was 75 years old. John died on the 29th of December in 1762 at the age of 83.

John married Elizabeth Hull on 19 Dec 1707 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Jeremiah Hull and Mehitable Smead) was born on 23 Dec 1688 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 21 Sep 1754 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Elisebeth Hull

Ebenezer married Esther Catlin about 1694. Esther (daughter of John Catlin and Mary Baldwin) was born on 9 May 1675 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA; died on 12 Dec 1733 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, 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 Mary Miller on 26 Nov 1677 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of William Miller and Patience Bacon) was born on 24 Dec 1653 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA; died on 27 Apr 1688 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, 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]

Notes:

No family suffered more than his in the decimation of the town in 1704. His buildings were all burned and he and his son, Jonathan with them. One son was killed in the Meadows Fight, another saw three daughters captured - two of them killed on the march. The Deerfield massacre occurred as follows: In the middle of winter, the Governor of Canada sent a large war party towards the town of Deerfield, Massachusetts. It was sent, not because of any harm Deerfield could do Canada, but to keep the Indians in the Massachusetts area stirred up against the English and not allow them any time to develop any friendlier connections. The party was made up of 50-60 Frenchmen and 2-300 Indians. Deerfield had only 41 houses at the time, a population of 268 at the time of the attack. It had been a very cold winter and a recent heavy snow covered the ground. The river was frozen to a depth of 3 feet. The French and Indians came upon Deerfield in the early morning hours of the 28th. There was a patrol inside the little fort, but they were not professional soldiers and towards the morning, they went to sleep. It was two hours before dawn that the French leader, Hertel de ROUVILLE, took his men from hiding and descended upon the sleeping community.

They were inside the pallisade before anyone knew they were there. Within minutes buildings were ablaze and the shrieks of inhabitants filled the air. Two houses on the north end of Deerfield were well fortified and many] had gathered here for safety. The Stebbin and Sheldon houses were attacked and a hole was hacked in the Sheldon house and Mrs. Sheldon was shot and killed as she sat on her bed, and her two year old daughter, Mercy, had her head bashed on the door stone. It was in this house that John's wife, Mary, shown as a bright star in a black night. Her husband, son and grandson having been killed, Mary found it within herself to care for a wounded French officer. When he was brought to the house he was in great pain and cried out for a drink. It was Mary who responded to his call and did all she could to comfort him. It was probably because of this that she was allowed to remain behind when all the other prisoners were marched off to Canada. The march to Canada is fully chronicled by the Reverend John Williams in his book "The Redeemed Captive". Out of 120 captives who left Deerfield, only 60 were alive when they were

ransomed from Canada two years later.

John married Mary Baldwin on 23 Sep 1662 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Mary (daughter of Joseph Baldwin and Hannah Whitlock) was born on 23 Jun 1644; died on 9 Apr 1704. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1648, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, USA

William married Patience Bacon on 3 Mar 1641 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. Patience (daughter of William Bacon and Martha Worchester) was born in 1631 in Ipswich, Essex, England; died on 29 Mar 1716 in Northampton, Hampshire, 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

John married Isabella Ward before 1643. Isabella was born about 1621 in Branford, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; died on 8 Dec 1676 in Wethersfield, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Hannah Whitlock. Hannah was born about 1613 in , , , England; died on 2 Nov 1684 in Milford, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact 1: 84T6-M7

John married Mary Pylston on 21 Nov 1585 in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England. Mary (daughter of William Pylston and Agnes Elliot) was born in 1564 in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England; died on 6 Apr 1621 in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact 1: 84T6-ND
• Fact 3: Of Bishops, Stortford, Herts, Eng
• Fact 2: 6 Apr 1621; Bishops, Stortford, Hertfordshire, England

William married Martha Worchester. Martha was born in 1600 in Suffolk, Suffolk, England; died in 1666 in , , , England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Woodhull married Mary Boyle. Mary was born in 1572 in Canterbury, Kent, England; died in 1635 in Youghal, Cork, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Dissident Preacher and Writer. Fellow of Queens College, Cambridge.

Stoughton matriculated pensioner from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1573, received his B.A. from Queens College 1577, his M.A. 1580. He was ordained deacon and priest at Lincoln Cathedral on Feb. 13, 1582, and was brought to the attention of Robert, 3rd Lord Rich by John Butler of Thoby Priory, Essex, and continued to benefit from Rich's patronage for many years. He was rector of Naughton from 1586 until 1594, at which time he was made curate of Great Burstead, Essex. He published A general treatise against poperie, and in defence of the religion by publike avthoritie professed in England and other churches reformed (Cambridge, 1598), which was dedicated to Lord Rich. In 1600 he was instituted vicar at Coggeshall at Lord Rich's presentation, but due to his nonconformity he was admonished by Bishop Richard Vaughan and deprived of Coggeshall by the High Commission in 1606. Despite being removed from his living it was reported in 1606 that he 'doeth often expound the Word in his deske'. In 1610 at Great Totham, Essex, he signed the dedicatory epistle to his work The dignitie of Gods children. By 1616 he had returned to his native Sandwich, where he remained living in poverty until his death. He continued to expound on his beliefs, publishing Two Profitable Treatises in 1616, followed up in 1622 with The Christians Sacrifice, a text of some 251 pages, which was dedicated to his patron, who had since purchased the title Earl of Warwick. He signed the dedicatory epistle to this on 20 Aug. 1622 from 'my poore lodging in the poor Hospitall called S. Bartholomewes by Sandwich in Kent', and further stated he was now 'ready to be dissolved, and to laye down my earthly Tabernacle...the time of my departing being at hand...' Two days later he appended the work with The Authors postscript to his Children as it were his Last Will and Testament unto them.

At the end of his life he recalled being present at Hampton Court 43 years earlier, where he heard ministers preaching before Queen Elizabeth.

In 1606 Stoughton was a legatee, along with others, in the will of Timothy Saint Nicholas, who 'moste humblie thanckinge them for their faithefull endeavor and for their earnest labour and paines for the instruction of my conscience and the consciences of many men in the knowledge of Gods truthe and relligion'. Described as 'a silenced preacher', he received a bequest in the 1610 will of Alice Wade of Bildeston, Suffolk, and in 1612 was mentioned in the will of his first cousin Thomas Stoughton of St Paul's Parish, Canterbury. In the 1619 will of Charles Eure, esquire, fourth son of William, 2nd Lord Eure, Stoughton being described as of St Bartholomews in Sandwich, Kent, received the generous bequest of £10.

Thomas married Katherine Evelyn Montpesson in 1585 in Naughton, Suffolk, England. Katherine was born in 1564 in Naughton, Suffolk, England; died on 18 Apr 1603 in Naughton, Suffolk, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth Bull. Elizabeth was born on 4 Aug 1563 in Saint Andrews, Hertfordshire, England; died on 25 Aug 1609 in Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Isabell Harding. Isabell was born about 1582 in Cholesbury, Buckinghamshire, England; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]