Magdalen Evans

Magdalen married Thomas Bruce on 12 Dec 1652 in Saint Martin In The Fields, Westminster, London, England. Thomas (son of Archibald Bruce and Marion Gray) was born in 1637 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; died in 1714 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth Bruce in 1694 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born in 1674 in , , Massachusetts, USA; died in 1739 in Framingham, 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]

David married Mary Bigelow on 26 Jan 1699 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of Samuel Bigelow and Mary Flagg) was born on 12 Sep 1677 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 21 Feb 1706 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary Potter on 11 Jan 1732 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary was born on 11 Sep 1709 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 26 Feb 1785 in Brookfield, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Elizabeth Townsend about 1720 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born on 21 May 1683 in Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 10 Mar 1746 in Southborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

Elisha married Silence Newton on 18 Jun 1718 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Silence was born on 10 Sep 1688 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1774. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married James Miller on 28 Dec 1723 in Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. James was born on 4 Dec 1699 in Sutton, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; died on 10 Jan 1765 in Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Bathsheba Bowker on 12 Dec 1732 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Bathsheba was born in 1709 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1746 in , , Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sarah. Sarah was born in 1645; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

David married Mary Brigham on 20 Feb 1726 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary was born on 27 Oct 1701 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1737. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

David married Hannah Pierce in 1741. Hannah was born on 1 Nov 1724 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Simon Taintor on 20 Nov 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Richard Barnes on 10 May 1739. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

Ephraim married Mary Maynard on 3 Oct 1744. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Hannah Beman on 24 May 1749. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1790, New Fane, Windham, Vermont, USA
• Residence: 1800, Newfane, Windham, Vermont, USA

Artemas married Thankful "Mary" Lattney on 20 May 1756 in Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Thankful was born in 1732 in Westborough, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; died on 29 Sep 1811 in Newfane, Windham, Vermont, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married Merodackbaladen Smith on 5 Apr 1752. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elijah married Eunice Rice on 30 Jan 1778 in Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Eunice was born on 16 Mar 1755 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]