The Two Thomas Green's of Malden, Massachusetts in the 1600's.

Question

I have found two sources that talk of the two Thomas Green's of Malden. Both are quite old. One is James Savage, "A genealogical dictionary of the first settlers of New England, showing three generations of those who came before May, 1692" Vol. II, Boston, Little, Brown and Co., 1860 Google Books and the other is Samuel Greene, "A genealogical sketch of the descendants of Thomas Green<e> of Malden, Mass", Boston, Henry W. Dutton, 1858, archive.org .

There is a Wikitree profile for Thomas Green that is well sourced (including the two sources mentioned above), but I did not find one for "the other Thomas Green", who happens to be my eighth great grandfather. I created a profile for him: Thomas Green , but I am concerned because:

1. It seems likely that there is a duplicate buried somewhere in Wikitree among the many Thomas Green's that are listed, and
2. I wonder if it is considered all right to rely on such old sources?

Comments

Sometimes the older the reference, the better, as the author may have had access to documents that are now lost in time.

As with any reference that does not provide the source of the information, consider those books to be hints for you to research. Savage, thankfully, is not pedantic, and tends to provide a list of "facts" that he researched, being careful about adding qualifiers such as "I suppose." "probably," and "perhaps," all of which one should note well.

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James Savage text has been later disproved in many cases and should be used with caution.  His details should be checked in other sources whenever possible, such as Town VR, etc.

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I am a descendent of Thomas of Malden, Mass 1635. Lot of data. Also tracked a present day cousin by DNA to two of Thomas's son William and Henry.

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If you have lots of data about Green-15640, please update his profile. If you need to be added to his Trusted List, just ask. Since we are both descendants we must be cousins of some kind. I am descended through his son Thomas.

Answer 1

Henry, I think we rely on whatever sources we can find!

Do you have a NewEnglandAncestors.com subscription? If so, your Thomas' will is there: [http://www.americanancestors.org/databases/middlesex-county-ma-probate-file-papers-1648-1871/image/?volumeId=14472&pageName=9842:1&rId=263873551 MIddlesex Probate file 9842]. If not, let me know and I can send you the info. I had a quick glance, it's legible, but won't be an easy read, a little secrectarial script in there.

Comments

Nice find, Bobbie.

Yowzer! That IS a difficult will to read. Here's what I could extract of it; is this what you see?

Thomas Green of Malden

Will – 25, 12^th month 1673 [25 Feb 1674]; attested 16, 4^th month [June] 1674

• Elizabeth my wife
• Eldest Son Thomas
• Daughter Mary
• Daughter Elizabeth, under 18
• Son John
• Son Ephraim

Some or all of his sons were under 21 years of age

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Well done Jillaine! Yes, I'd agree to all of the above.

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Thank you all for your replies. I have brought the profile up to date using Savage and Greene, as well as the original sources when possible.Also, I would like to remove Margaret Call-802 as the wife of Thomas Green-410 and merge her with Margaret Call-900, the wife of Thomas Green-15640.