Nathan Brigham (1693 - 1784)

Born 28 Nov 1693 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Ancestors

Husband of Dinah (Rice) Brigham — married 24 Dec 1717 in Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Husband of Hepzibah Elizabeth (Ward) Brigham — married 1729 in Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died 15 Sep 1784 at age 90 in Southborough, Worcester, Massachusetts

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jean Paradis [send private message]

Biography

Nathan Brigham was born in 1693 at Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, the son of Nathan and Elizabeth Brigham.^[1] He married Dinah Rice on December 24, 1717,^[2] and they resided in Marlboro. Children of Nathan and Dinah were:

1. Dinah, born September 5, 1719.^[3]
2. Eunice, born 1721.^[4]
3. Moses, born 1723;^[5] married Mehitabel Grout; had 7 children at Westborough, and died December 3, 1769.
4. Persis, born 1724.^[6]
5. Elizabeth, born 1725.^[7]

Dinah died between 1725 and 1729. Nathan married second, about 1729, Elizabeth (Ward) Snow. Children of Nathan and Elizabeth were:^[8]

1. Nathan b. 13 March, 1730
2. Hepsibah b. 1 June, 1732
3. Edmund b. 12 Aug., 1733
4. William b. 8 April, 1735
5. Phineas b. 11 Oct., 1737
6. Tabitha b. 27 Aug., 1739; d. 5 July, 1740
7. Ebenezer b. 24 June, 1741
8. Elijah b. 5 Sept., 1743

Nathan died at Southborough, Worcester, Massachusetts on September 15, 1784.^[9][10]

The following is from "The History of the Brigham Family; a Record of Several Thousand Descendants of Thomas Brigham the Emigrant, 1603-1653" by Tyler, p.97:

"Prior  to  the  second  division of  the  original  township  of  Marlboro,  in  1727,  Nathan  held several  minor  town  offices,  but  in  the  new  town  of  Southboro,  to which  he  was  set  off,  he  appears  at  once  among  her  principal citizens,  serving  the  first  year  as  a  selectman  and  soon  after  as treasurer.  He  was  repeatedly  placed  on  committees  for  hiring schoolmasters  and  chosen  for  the  29th  time  as  a  selectman  at  the age  of  77  years,  at  which  he  remonstrated  and  was,  with  public thanks,  excused.  He  lived  near  the  houses  of  Samuel  and  Dana Brigham  in  the  north  part  of  Southboro,  and  is  presumed  to  have inherited  the  lands  southeast  of  Crane  meadow,  drawn  in  his  grand- father Thomas'  right.  He  did  inherit  the  Bible,  law-book,  cane and  sword  of  his  father  Nathan.  He  retained  his  vigor  to  a great  age  and  when  in  his  90th  year  used  to  mount  his  horse  without assistance."

Research Notes

Needs detail and sourcing for mother's identity, Dinah's death, marriage to Elizabeth, children with Elizabeth, Elizabeth's previous marriage to Mr. Snow, where rank of lieutenant comes from, etc. Partridge-944 02:55, 20 May 2014 (EDT)

Regarding rank, The History of the Brigham Family p.97 has: "Colonial War Record: Centinel (probably 1725), Capt. N. Brigham."

Sources

1. ↑ "Brigham... Nathan, s. Nathan and Elizabeth, Nov. 28, 1693." Vital Records of Marlborough, Births, page 44.
2. ↑ "Brigham... Nathan... and Dina Rice, Dec. 24, 1717." Vital Records of Marlborough, Marriages, page 232.
3. ↑ "Brigham... Dina, d. Nathan and Dina, Sept. 5, 1719." Vital Records of Marlborough, Births, page 38.
4. ↑ "Brigham... Vnice, d. Nathan and Dina., Oct. 4, 1721." Vital Records of Marlborough, Births, page 47.
5. ↑ "Brigham... Moses, s. Nathan and Dina Jan. 2, 1722-23." Vital Records of Marlborough, Births, page 44.
6. ↑ "Brigham... Perses, d. Nathan... and Dina, Apr. 3, 1724." Vital Records of Marlborough, Births, page 44.
7. ↑ "Brigham... Elezebth, d. Nathan and Dina, Dec. 18, 1725." Vital Records of Marlborough, Births, page 38.
8. ↑ Children and their birth dates from History of the Brigham Family, page 96.
9. ↑ "Brigham... Lt. Nathan, Sept. 15, 1784, in his 91st y." Vital Records of Southborough, Deaths, page 159.
10. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78720298/nathan-brigham: accessed 03 September 2022), memorial page for Lieut Nathan Brigham (28 Nov 1693–15 Sep 1784), Find a Grave Memorial ID 78720298, citing Old Burial Ground, Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by Sueglo (contributor 46870664) .

• A Genealogical History of the Rice Family: Descendants of Deacon Edmund Rice, who Came from Berkhamstead, England, and Settled at Sudbury, Massachusetts, in 1638 or 9. Andrew Henshaw Ward, 1858. C.B. Richardson - Publisher. Courtesy of Google Books, https://play.google.com.

• The History of the Brigham Family; a Record of Several Thousand Descendants of Thomas Brigham the Emigrant, 1603-1653 W. L. Tyler Brigham, Grafton Press, New York, 1907.

• Early Vital Records of Massachusetts from 1600 to 1850. Online database of images and transcriptions courtesy of John Slaughter, Massachusetts Vital Records Project. http://ma-vitalrecords.org.

• Stearns, Ezra S. Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire (Lewis Publishing Company, 1908) Vol. 2, Page 936

<Another Biography/>

Nathan Brigham, Jr. was born 28 November 1693 in Marlborough, Massachusetts Bay, the first child of Nathan and Elizabeth (Maynard) Brigham[1-3].

He was called Nathan Brigham, Jr. until his father died in 1747, and then called Lieutenant Nathan Brigham after his military service in the 1730s.

His first marriage, at age 24, was to Dinah Rice (1693-1725) on 24 December 1717 in Marlborough[1,4]. Dinah was the daughter of Edmund and Ruth (Parker) Rice of Marlborough. They had five children, all born in Marlborough.

• Dinah Brigham (1719-1784), married 1743 Jonsthan Witt (1718-????)
• Eunice Brigham (1721-1792), married 1742 to Hezekiah Newton (1719-1786).
• Moses Brigham (1723-1769), married 1749 to Mehitable Grout (1725-1795).
• Perses Brigham (1725-1740).
• Elizabeth Brigham (1725-????), married 1749 Jedidiah Fay (1726-1799).

The Brigham Family Book notes that prior to the second division of the original township of Marlborough, in 1727, Nathan held several minor town offices, but in the new town of Southborough, to which he was set off, he appears at once among her principal citizens, serving the first year as a selectman and soon after as treasurer. He was repeatedly placed on committees for hiring schoolmasters and chosen for the 29th time as a selectman at the age of 77 years. He retained his vigor to a great age and in his 90th year used to mount his horse without assistance[1].

Dinah died in 1725, and Nathan married, secondly, at age 36, to Hepzibah Ward (1708-1748) in about 1729, probably in Marlborough[1]. They had eight children, all born and recorded in Southborough:

• Nathan Brigham (17301-1806), married 1769 Mary Hudson (1743-????).
• Hephzebah Brigham (1732-1815), married 1748 John Taplin (1727-1803).
• Edmund Brigham (1733-1806), married 1769 Elizabeth Bevel (1740-1825).
• William Brigham (1735-1793), married 1759 Rebecca Ball (1739-1768).
• Phenehas Brigham (1737-1740).
• Tabitha Brigham (1738-1740).
• Ebenezer Brigham (1741-1766).
• Elijah Brigham (1742-1804), married 1768 Ruth Taylor (1747-1831).

On 5 April 1733, Nathan Brigham, gentleman of Marlborough, gave parcels of land in Southborough and Westborough to his son, Nathan Brigham Jr., yeoman of Southborough, for fatherly love and affection[5]. There were eight parcels comprising 171 acres, including 20 acres near Nathan Brigham Jr.s dwellnig house in southyborough; 8 acres near his barn; 25 acres near Walnut Hill; 13 acres on a hill near Cedar Swamp; 34 acres of meadow land, 1 acre of meadow landon the west side of Elsabeth River; 60 acres of swamp and upland near Sutton; 8 acres of swamp land east of Elsabeth River; and a 16 acre town right in Southborough. The deed was recorded 6 February 1738/9 in Worcester County, Massachusetts Land Records.

On 2 June 1740, his father Nathan Brigham wrote a three page will that is very difficult to decipher (in Middlesex County Probate Court case file 2,687) bequeathing his estate to his second wife, Mehitable, and to his seven living children[6]. The will was proved 13 March 1746/7 in Middlesex County Probate Court, with all of the named heirs agreeable to the terms of the will. Son Nathan Brigham was to receive what had already been given to him, his father's Bible, the law books, the sword, one third of the wearing apparel, one half of the livestock, one part of the money and bills of credit, and 100 acres of land in Bedford.

Hepzibah (Ward) Brigham died in about 1748, and Nathan married, thirdly, to widow Martha (--?--) Gleason on 6 February 1750/1 in Southborough[7]. They had no children.

On 7 February 1754, Nathan Brigham, gentleman of Southborough, sold two parcels of land in Westborough to his well and beloved son Moses Brigham, yeoman of Westborough, for parental love and affection[8]. The first parcel was 60 acres in Westborough, bounded westerly by land of Joseph Grout, northerly by Benjamin and Jeduthun Fay, and southerly by Eaton Farm. The second parcel was 10 acres of swamp and meadow land in Westborough bounded westerly by Jeduthun Fay, then on Elizabeth River, and land of Francis Whipple. The deed was witnessed by Edmund Brigham and Hezekiah Ward, and was recorded on 23 August 1754.

On 7 June 1756, Nathan Brigham, gentleman of Southborough, sold a parcel of land in Westborough to his well and beloved son Moses Brigham, husbandman of Westborough, for 16 pounds lawful money[9]. The parcel was 5 acres of meadow and upland in Westborough, bounded southerly by a highway, heirs of Hezekiah Tomlin, and land of Jonas Brigham, and easterly by the River. The deed was witnessed by Edward Baker and Joseph Baker, and was recorded on 22 September 1756.

Nathan Brigham bought and sold many parcels of land in Southborough and Westborough during his life. After his father died, he sold or gave some of the land to the children of his first two wives.

Nathan died, at age 90, on 15 September 1784 in Southborough[10]. He is buried in the Old Burial Ground in Southborough[4]. There is no extant grave marker.

Nathan Brigham wrote his will on 1 January 1783. There is a Bond document for 2000 pounds dated 2 November 1784, and a statement of acceptance by the widow and approval of the will by the probate court judge on 2 November 1784 in the probate file. There is no inventory or account in the probate file[11].

The will of Nathan Brigham says: In the Name of God amen, This first day of January Anno Domini 1783. I, Nathan Brigham of Southborough in the County of Worcester Gentleman, being far advanced in age but of sound and disposing mind, and Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and the uncertainty of Human life, do make and Ordain this my last will & Testament.

First of all I humbly recommend my Soul to God who gave it, hoping through the merits of Jesus Christ to obtain Eternal life in a better world, my Body I Commit to the Earth to be Buried in decent Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executor, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall by the mighty power of God received the Same again.

And as touching such worldly Goods and Estate as God has been pleased to Bless me with in this life, I Will and dispose of in manner following.

Imprimis. My will is that all my just Debts and Funeral Charges be paid by my Executor (hereafter Named out of my Personal Estate).

Item. I Give and Bequeath to Martha my wife during her remaining my Widow the use and Improvement of the Northerly end of my Dwelling House from Top to Bottom with the Cellar under the South Room (and a priviledge in the Well for water, and a priviledge at the Door for laying of Wood, also the use of my Garden by the Cyder mill, and instead of her dower in my Real Estate as Lands &c and at her special instance and Request I will and Order that my son Elijah Brigham bring and deliver to my said wife at my dwelling House during her remaining my widow annually each year in the proper Seasons thereof the following articles viz't. Seven Bushels and an half of Indian Corn with the same Quantity of Rye, providing good dry Casks Sufficient to hold the same, one Bushel of Wheat two Bushels and an half of malt, one Barrel of Sweet Cyder, and five Barrel of common Cyder providing Casks for the same, Six Bushels of apples, two Bushels of Turnips, two Bushels of Potatoes, one peck of Beans one peck of Peas, two Hundred weight of Pork, one Hundred weight of Beef, thirty weight of Butter, forty weight of Cheese, ten pounds of flax, and five pounds of Wool, also a Sufficiency of fire Wood brought to the door & Cut ready for the fire, also to find her a Horse to Ride to Meeting and other necessary Occasions, also I give to my said wife to be at her own disposal all that was her Sister De Luena's viz't. the ????? Irons, one Bible and Trunk, two Chairs one Bed and Furniture thereto belonging, one Round Table together with all her Tea utensels, also I give and Bequeath to my said wife one Iron pot, one Ieron Kettle, two small Brass Kettles, one Iron Skillet, one Tramel, one pair of Handirons, one Meat Tub, two Washing Tubs, two pails and one third part of my Pewter, I also give and Bequeath to my said wife one Bed and Beding, with all the household Furniture that my wife brought to me when I Married her that may be found after my decease, one coverlet also one Cow to be at her disposal for ever, and to be kept for her Summer and winter during her remaining my widow, also one dutch Oven, one half dozen of Knives and forks, one flatt Bottomed Brass Candlesticks, and Forty Shillings Lawful money to be paid to my said wife by my Executor annually so long as she shall remain my widow.

Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Nathan Brigham about nine acres of Land lying partly in Southborough & partly in Westborough being what I now own which I purchased of Elisha Wood dec'd. I also Give and Bequeath to my three Sons, Nathan Brigham Edmund Brigham and Elijah Brigham two pieces of Ceder Swamp scituate in Westborough one piece lying in Chancey Swamp, and the other piece lying in Island Swamp so Called with all the Land I have taken up adjoining thereto, to be equally divided between them. I also give and Bequeath to my Son Nathan Brigham one Bed and Bedding also my Cane that was my Fathers, also a Case with one quarter part of my wearing apparel, and also Six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence lawful money to be paid him by my Executor in five years after my decease, also Eight acres of my Town Right with out the Cow common all which shall be his full share out of my Estate.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my son Edmund Brigham one half of my Sixteen Acres of town Right without the Cow Common with one quarter part of my wearing apparel, which with what he has already had out of my Estate shall be his part in full.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Son William Brigham one piece of land I Bought of John Matthews dec'd lying on the Northerly side of the Road leading from my dwelling House to the old malt House containing about two acres be the same more or less Bounded westerly by my own Land, Southerly by said Road and every other way by his own Land, with one quarter part of my wearing apparel which with what he has already rec'd shall be his full share out of my Estate.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Eunice the wife of Hezekiah Newton Ten Shillings lawful money to be paid by my Executor which with what she has already rec'd shall be her part in full.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Fay Twenty Shillings lawful money to be paid by my Executor, which with what she has already rec'd shall be her full share out of my Estate.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Hepzibah Taplin six pounds lawful money to be paid by my Executor which with what she has already rec'd shall be her full share out of my Estate.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Grand Daughter Persis the wife of Ithamar Biglow Six Shillings Lawful Money to be paid her by my Executor which with what she has already had out of my Estate shall be her part in full.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Grand Daughter Patty the wife of Hezekiah Fay jun'r one Feather Bed and Beding, one Chest with Drawers and Round Table Six Black Chairs with one third part of my Pewter, one Iron pot, one Brass Kittle midde Size, one pair of Hand Irons, one pair of Fire Tongs and Peal, one Tramel, one Linnen Wheel, one Woollen Wheel, and one Small looking Glass all which shall be her full share or portion out of my Estate.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Grandson Nathan Taplin one good Cow to be delivered to him by my Executor which shall be his full share out of my Estate.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Grand Son Elisha Taplin one pair of yearling Steers which shall be his full part out of my Estate and to be delivered to him by my Executor.

Item. I give and Bequeath to my Son Elijah Brigham all the residue ofmy Lands and Buildings that I shall ^die^ Seized of lying in the Town of Southborough ????? ???? ?????????? ???? ??? ????? Residue of my Personal Estate of every Name or Denomination whatsoever also my Pew in the Meeting House and one Quarter part of my wearing apparel with my great Bible, and all other of my Estate that can or may be found after my decease and not already disposed of by this Will, to be to him and his Heirs and assigns forever, accept the rest of my Books which are equally to be divided among my Children.

Lastly I do hereby Constitute make and Ordain my Son Elijah Brigham the Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament Ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly Disallow and Revoke all other Wills and bequests by me made and Executors by me appointed and in Confirmation of this and no other I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the day and year first written. Nathan Brigham Signed Sealed published & pronounced and declared by the Testator to be his last Will and Testament in presence of us. Luther Newton Erasmus Ward sworn } Bond Solomon Ward sworn } Approved by the Hon'd Judge of Probate

SOURCES

1. W. I. Tyler Brigham (Emma E. Brigham, editor), The History of the Brigham Family, A Record of Several Thousand Descendants of Thomas Brigham the Emigrant, 1603-1653 (New York City : The Grafton Press, 1907), page 97, #22 Lieut. Nathan Brigham family sketch.

2. Franklin P. Rice (editor), Vital Records of Marlborough, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849 (Boston, Mass. : Franklin P. Rice ,1908), Births, page 44, Nathan Brigham birth entry, 28 November 1693, son of Nathan and Elizabeth.

3. Find A Grave, indexed database and digital image, (http://www.findagrave.com), Old Burial Ground. Southborough, Mass., Nathan Brigham memorial #78720298.

4. Franklin P. Rice (editor), Vital Records of Marlborough, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849, Marriages, page 232, Nathan Brigham and Dina Rice marriage entry, 1717.

5. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 27 January 2022), Worcester County > Deeds, 1737-1739, Vol. 10, pages 447-448 (images 262-263 of 309), Deed of Nathan Brigham to Nathan Brigham, executed 5 April 1733, recorded 6 February 1738/9; citing original records in County Courthouses, and on FHL Microfilms.

6. Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Probate case files, Packet #2,687 Nathan Brigham of Marlborough, 1746 (12 pages); "Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871," indexed database and digital images, New England Historical and Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (https://www.AmericanAncestors.org : accessed 3 May 2020).

7. Systematic Historic Fund, Vital Records of Southborough, Massachusetts to the end of the Year 1849 (Worcester, Mass.: Franklin P. Rice, 1903), Marriages, page 98, Nathan Brigham and Mrs. Martha Brigham, 6 February 1750/1.

8. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, accessed 27 January 2022), Worcester County > Deeds, 1754-1756, Vol. 35-36, Volume 35, page A245, Deed of Nathan Brigham to Moses Brigham, executed 7 February 1754, recorded 23 August 1754.

9. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, accessed 27 January 2022), Worcester County > Deeds, 1756-1758, Vol. 37-38, Volume 38, page 100, Deed of Nathan Brigham to Moses Brigham, executed 7 June 1756, recorded 22 September 1756.

10. Systematic Historic Fund, Vital Records of Southborough, Massachusetts to the end of the Year 1849, Deaths, page 159, Lieut. Nathan Brigham death entry, 1784.

11. Worcester County, Massachusetts, Probate case files, Packet #7,414 Nathan Brigham of Southborough, 1784 (11 images); "Worcester County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1731-1881," digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (http://www.AmericanAncestors.org : accessed 3 May 2020).