Richard Bailey (abt. 1614 - 1648)

Born about 21 Aug 1614 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England [uncertain]

Husband of Edna (Halsted) Northend — married about 1645 in Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts Bay [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 15 Feb 1648 at about age 33 in Rowley, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Biography

This profile is part of the Bailey Name Study.

Richard Bailey is a part of Massachusetts history. Join: Massachusetts Project Discuss: massachusetts

Richard Bailey migrated from England to Colonial America.

Origins According to Tradition

Traditional thinking was that Richard Bailey was born in Yorkshire, England.^[1][2] This was based on the confirmed fact that Richard's wife was from Bradford, England, and secondly that he settled in Rowley, MA which was originally settled by a group of families including their pastor, from Bradford, England. In this Yorkshire scenario, he might have been the Richard Bailey baptized on 21 August 1614 at Bradford, York, England, a son of Godfrey Bailey.^[3]. In addition to Richard, Godfrey Bailey had a son James born in 1612. But there were other Bailey's living in the Bradford area,^[4] and outside of this matching of (common) names and possible association to Yorkshire, there is nothing to prove that Richard and James were the sons of Godfrey. Richard and Edna were married in New England, so the fact of their marriage is not a valid reason to say that they both must have come from the same area of England. And the town of Rowley, MA had numerous settlers from other places than Yorkshire. As a final argument (against Godfrey as parent) it is observed that the names "Godfrey" and "Christopher" (Godfrey's father) appear nowhere in the early descendants of Richard and James, even though both families showed great dedication to naming children after James, Richard, Joseph, names that re-appear generation after generation. It is for these reasons that Richard has been disconnected on Wikitree from Godfrey, and is now shown with unknown parents.

Richard has often been said to have been the Richard Bailey, aged 15, migrating aboard the Bevis in 1638, as a servant, but the dates and circumstances make this very doubtful.^[3] There was indeed a person of this name and age aboard that ship, and not being able to find someone of the same name on any other ship's list, it was tempting to conclude this must be our Richard. But note that his brother James was not found on any ship's list at all, and many early ship passenger lists have not survived.

It has also been said that Richard was one of the founders of the first cloth mill in the colonies.^[5][3] It was located in Rowley, Massachusetts where he also owned his estate. These traditions about Richard (excluding the Godfrey part, which was "discovered" even later) were first recorded more than 200 years after his death by Alfred Poor in his detailed study of this family (referenced herein). Even he, a descendant of Richard, categorized these as "traditions", rather than confirmed facts. Richard's neighbour and partner Richard Holmes, a mill-wright, was clearly involved in building the first mills, so this may be the origin of the tradition.

Origins According to Known (Limited) Facts

Facts about Richard Bailey are limited. He died very young as described below, and his only child therefore had no chance to know him and learn any family history.

One fact that is not disputed, though, is that Richard and James of Rowley were brothers. This is clearly known from Richard's Will (as discussed below). And furthermore, thanks to modern DNA testing, through Y-DNA results specifically, this has been corroborated with descendants of both men having the same haplogroup I-M253.^[6] What can be further said through this DNA testing, is that Richard and James Bailey were not related to any of the numerous other Bailey branches common in New England, notwithstanding genealogists' efforts at different times (before DNA availability) to connect them.

While it is not known when and how Richard and James arrived in New England, the one thing we know for sure is that they both appeared on the records in Rowley in Essex county in 1643/44. They were not part of the first land allotments in 1639 when the Rowley settlement was first established. In 1644, Richard partnered with Richard Holmes, recently arrived from Yorkshire, to together purchase all the Rowley property of one Thomas Harris,^[7] who had decided to move to Ipswich, MA where he was occupied as a seaman. Thomas Harris and his wife, Martha, confirmed this 1644 deed to Holmes and Bailey on 22 Feb. 1654/55.^[8] Around the same time, RIchard also leased part of the Bellingham mansion left vacant with the death of William Bellingham.^[9]

An association between Richard Bailey and (Rev.) Ezekiel Rogers, the founder of Rowley, is evident in records of the Essex Court of March, 1646 when both Richard Bailey and Rev. Rogers sued John Crosse of Ipswich for slander. This dispute arose after Crosse had related to others that Rev. Rogers, Richard Bailey and others of the town of Rowley "coveted his farm" and "hid or hurt his cattle." Rogers and Bailey were exonerated in this slander suit and on Oct. 2, 1646 a judgment was arrived upon settling all differences.^[10]

Although there are no concrete facts connecting Richard and James with any specific origin location in England, there is solid evidence that they were from a well-to-do family. Both were within the top 10% of the Rowley Massachusetts population in terms of wealth. Richard was assessed at the settlement of his estate in 1648 at 106li, an extraordinary sum after less than 10 years in New England. It is impossible he could have been a "servant" per the traditions discussed above and still amass such a fortune. His brother was assessed at the settlement of his own estate in 1677 at 586li. Compare this to their neighbour Thomas Nelson, who was considered the richest man in Rowley, with an estate of 527li in 1649. Given that Richard and James were planters and farmers, it seems clear that they must have arrived in New England with substantial assets from the outset.

Marriage and Children

Richard married as her 1st, to Edna Halsted, the sister of Henry Halstead and William Halsted.^[3] As there is no surviving marriage record, the "about 1645" marriage date is a guess based on the birth of their only child in 1646. After Richard died, Edna married, as her 2nd, Ezekiel Northend.^[3]

Richard and Edna had only one child, who was from the age of 2 or 3 brought up by his step-father Ezekial Northend:^[3]

1. Joseph Bailey, b. 1646; m Abigail Trumbull; d. 11 Oct. 1712

Death & Estate

Buried: 16 February 1647/8 in Rowley, Massachusetts Bay Colony.^[11][12]

It seems obvious from Court records that Richard was unbending in his religious beliefs, especially when it concerned swearing, a punishable offense. Unfortunately, this rigidity would cost Richard his life, while still only in his mid-30s and with an infant child.

Henry Stiche of the Lynn Iron Works had been charged with swearing, a punishable offence, with Richard being one of two witnesses^[13]. In an apparent scuffle, Henry seriously injured Richard, for which Henry was in following days presented in Court for “breaking the head of Richard Bayly”^[14]. By that time (2 March 1648, new calendar), Richard was already dead, having hurriedly written his will on 15 February 1648 (new calendar)^[15] and passing away the following day.

Will of Richard Bailey

Made 15 February 1647/8, proved 28 March 1648, by Humphry Reynor, and 29 March 1648 by Jeames Bayley.

Rowley 15 of the last 1647.

I Richard Baly sick in body but of perfect memory praysed be God doe ordeine and make this my last will and Testament

first I commende my soule into the hands of God in faith of a ioyfull resurrection throw our Lord jesus Christ

And as concerning my outward estate ffrst my minde and will is that all my| lawfull debts be paid and discharged.

Ite my will is that fforty and tow pounds I giue vnto my sonn Joseph Baly but in case my wife should be with Child then my will is that the said sum of tow and forty pounds be deuided, and one third part thereof my other child shall haue it

Item my will is that my Child shall haue a fether bedd in part of the saide protion also one Great Bible and Practicall Catachisme

Ite my will and minde is that if my wife Edna Baly marry againe and hir husbande proue vnlouing to the Child or Children or wastefull then I giue power to my Brother James Baly and Michael Hobkinson with my wife hir Consent to take the Child with his portion from him and so to dispose of it for the Best behoofe of the children with my wifes consent

Ite I giue my house and lott vnto my son Joseph Baly after my wife hir dissease

Ite I gue to my Son tow stuffe Sutes of Cloaths and my best Coate, and a Cloath sute and my best hatt, and I giue to my Brother James Baly a great Coate one paire of buck lether Breches and a paire of Bootes one little Booke I giue to my nephew John Bally I giue vnto Thomas Palmer one Gray hatt one Cloath dublit and an old Jackit and a paire of Gray Breeches

Ite I make my wife Edna Baly executrix of this my last will and Testament Memoradad and I giue eleuen shillings which is owing to me from Mr Rogers Ipswich and mr Johnson vnto the poore of the Towne

Richard baly

Witness: Humfrey Reyner, william Cavis

Inventory:

Inventory taken 23 June 1648, by Joseph Jewett, Maxemillean Jewett and Mathew Boyes, allowed 27 July 1648:

In monyes, 2li. 12s.;

one Box and small things in it, 1li.;

tow stuffe sutes of Cloathes, 1li. 10s.;

one peece of fustian, 6s.;

one Cloath Coate, 1li.,6s.;

two Childes Mantles, 15s.;

ticking for tow boulsters, 10s.;

one paire of Brasse Scales and wieghts, 6s.6d.;

two Couerletts & two Ruggs, 2li. 15s.;

fiue Balnketts, 1li. 11s.;

fiue Pillowes, 11s.;

one feather bed tick, 7s.;

on Brasse Pott & a Still, 1li. 19s.;

a Parcell of old Cloathes 1li.;

a Bagg wt some Cotten woole, 12s.;

a Bagg wt. Inke stuffe, 7s.;

foure Cushings & a leather girdle, 5s.;

and old Coate 3s.;

two Basketts wth six pounds of Cotton yarne, 15s.;

in little stone potts, 4s .;

to Bead Coords, 2s.;

one Barrell, 1s.;

one trough wt. Leather satchels & baggs, 14s.;

one sword. 5s.; one Muskett wt. bandiliers, 1li.;

one Brasse Morter & Pestill, 3s., 4d.;

one Lanterne, 1s.;

in Brasse, 3li.12s.;

one Iron Pott, 12s.;

one Fouleing peece, 15s.;

in Puter, 1;I. 18s.;

one Case of Bottles, 5s.;

A Parcell of Bookes, 2li. 12s. 6d.;

two Chests, 11s; fiue Cushings, 7s.;

in Iron tooles, 1li. 14s.;

in milke vessell, 9s. 6d.;

a paire of Bellowes, 6d.;

a stoole, a Box and a Dreaping Pan, 10s.;

one dwelling house, 10li.;

one Barne, 5 li.;

broken up land, meadows & Commons, 14li.;

in Corne and hay, 8li.;

in Cattle, 22li.10s.; in Swine, 1li.10s.;

in Linen, 3li .15s.;

three Temess, 3s.;

one fethaer bed wt. boulsters & other bedding, 4li .5s.;

a Churne and Iron Pott wt. some Puter, and two wheeles, 17s.;

total 106li.8s.10d. ^[16]

For explanation of the order given by the court Oct 27 1648, in answer to a petition received of Edney Bayly, widow of Rowley, and final determination of the case, it is ordered May 3 1649, that the 46li. given by Wm. Halsteed to her sone, Joseph Bayly, by Richard Bayly, deceased, remain in the hands of Ezekiell Northin, her present husband, until he shall be twenty one, and then so much be paid him as the will of Wm Halsteed appoints; that Joseph's portion out of his father's estates shall be 41li., which is two thirds of the estate, and shall also remain in the hands of Ezekiel Northin until his is fourteen years. Ezekiel Northin to give security to the next Ipswich court. ^[17]

Joseph Bayly of Rowley acknowledges the receipt from Ezekiell Northend of Rowley, his step-father, of "all my whole portion given me by the will of my ffather Richard Bayly which portion was ordered by the Generall Court & apoynted to be forty one pound or there abouts which was two tird of the estate, and alsoe of a legasie of nyne pounds foure shillings, given by my unckle william Halsted, also all rents of my whole portion and of the aforesayed legasie since I was of the age of forteene years.

Dated Nov 14, 1667.

Witness: Phillip Nellson, Elizabeth Nellson, ffrancis Tildisleg ^[18]

Research Notes

Anderson's Great Migration Directory has an entry for Richard Bailey who sailed on the Bevis and states that "Claims that he was the Rowley settler lack evidence."^[19]

From the bio of James Bailey (Bailey-3005) Richard's brother:

James Bailey was a brother of Richard Bailey, who came to New England (maybe) in 1638 in the ship " Bevis." It is not known from what part of England James and Richard came. An account of Richard and his descendants was published by Alfred Poor of Salem, Mass., in 1858, in a book entitled, " Historical and Genealogical Researches in the Merrimack Valley."

Richard Bailey in his will dated in 1648, a copy of which is printed in the Sixth Annual Report of the Bailey-Bayley Eamily Association, mentions his brother, James, his nephew, John, as well as Thomas Palmer (possible brother-in-law, some hypothesize). It appears from the town records of Rowley that James Bailey acquired, by allotment and purchase, considerable real estate, and was a citizen in good standing. He held various town offices, including the office of Overseer of the Poor, and also that of Selectman for several years. His house stood on the east side of what is now called Pleasant street in the village of Rowley, on land now owned by Mr. Charles H. Todd.

The record of the original grant is as follows : " To James Baley one house lott containing an Acre and an halfe lying on the north side of Edward Sawyer's house lott."

Sources

Footnotes and citations:

1. ↑ Alfred Poor, (1858) Historical and genealogical researches and recorder of passing events of Merrimack Valley. "A Genealogy of the Descendants of Richard Bailey of Rowley, Massachusetts." Haverhill, MA: Alfred Poor, HathiTrust.org (p. 77).
2. ↑ American Ancestry, Volume VII, Published Joel Munsell's Sons, Albany, 1892 | Page 140
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} Ransome, Jeanne Bailey, (1991) The Bailey family: a history and genealogy ... Ann Arbor, MI: J. B. Ransom, Available at FamilySearch.org (Pages 1-16).
4. ↑ The Bradford Antiquary, Volume II| Page 244
5. ↑ A.I. McFadden, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America; 1974, p. 14
6. ↑ "Bailey New England Project", Family Tree DNA| Bailey Y-DNA Project
7. ↑ The Harris Family, by WIlliam Samuel Harris, Nashua, NH, 1883| Thomas Harris, Page 9
8. ↑ Essex County, MA Deed Bk. 1, p. 152
9. ↑ Publications of the Rowley Historical Society| Page 11
10. ↑ Page 94, Record and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts, Volume I, 1636-1656, Essex Institute, Salem, Mass, 1911| "Accusation/Guilt of John Crose for Slander" and | Page 110
11. ↑ Vital Records of Rowley, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849" (The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass., 1928-31)| page 440.
12. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #58576575 retrieved Richard Bailey
13. ↑ Page 138, Record and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts, Volume I, 1636-1656, Essex Institute, Salem, Mass, 1911| Witness for Swearing
14. ↑ Page 136, Record and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts, Volume I, 1636-1656, Essex Institute, Salem, Mass, 1911| "Breaking the Head"
15. ↑ Page 140, Record and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts, Volume I, 1636-1656, Essex Institute, Salem, Mass, 1911| "Proving the Will"
16. ↑ Essex County Quarterly Court Files, Vol 1, leaf 98
17. ↑ Massachusetts Bay Colony Records, Vol 3, page 148
18. ↑ Ipswich Deeds, Vol 3, page 78
19. ↑ Anderson, Robert Charles. Great Migration Directory (The). Immigrants to New Englnad, 1620-1640. A Concise Compendium. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015.

Other Source list:

• Family Search | Richard Bailey
• Ransom, Jeanne Bailey. The Bailey Family : A History and Genealogy of the Descendants of Richard Bailey of Rowley, Massachusetts. (Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1991). Available at FamilySearch.org
• "The Original Lists of Persons of Quality who went from Gr. Brit. to the Am. Plantations, 1600-1700" John Camden Hatter
• Bailey Genealogy, James, John, Thomas" Hollis Russell Bailey (1899)
• Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts (Amos Everett Jewett, Rowley, Massachusetts, 1887-1933)"| Page 13
• A Genealogy of the Descendants of Richard Bailey of Rowley, Massachusetts, Historical and Genealogical Researches, of Merrimack Valley, Vol 1, Nbr. 1, April 1857, Published by Alfred Poor, Haverhill| Page 77, top left
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3MHY-4C2 : accessed 2017-01-16), entry for Richard /Bayley/.(Not offered as definitive proof)
• Proceedings of the 4th Annual Bailey-Bayley Family Association, 1896| Page 13
• Proceedings of the 6th Annual Bailey-Bayley Family Association, 1898| Will of Richard Bailey, Pages 29-31
• Proceedings of the 7th Annual Bailey-Bayley Family Association, 1899| Age of Richard Bailey, Pages 17-21

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to Dave Bailey for updating this profile in Dec. 2019, in consultation with Chris H. Bailey, Accredited Genealogist, of Eustis, Florida (both are Richard Bailey descendants).
• Many thanks to Chris H. Bailey of Eustis, Florida, for the attached excellent profile of Richard Bailey of Rowley, Massachusetts. Chris is a descendant of Richard Bailey, through his grandson Richard.