Born about 1575 in England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 20 May 1647 at about age 72 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Richard Bartlett migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Disputed Origin

Please see below for discussion of Richard Bartlett's family of origin.

Biography

Excerpt from "A genealogical History of the Clark and Worth Families:"

The name is Anglo-Norman; the nickname Bartle, (son of Bartholomew) plus diminutive-ot and -et is seen in old English records: Bartelot, county Bedford in 1273; Thomas Bartlet, Yorkshire in 1379; and Robert Bartlet, county Dorset in 1578. Newbury was the first livestock-raising settlement in the province, colonied largely by immigrants from Wiltshire, England. A party of colonists from Wiltshire came to Ipswich, Mass, March 24, 1634, with the Rev Thomas Parker on the ship Mary and John. In 1635 they moved on to colonize Newbury.

Richard came to Newbury in 1635, very likely in the company of Rev. Parker from Wiltshire. Richard Bartlett brought his children, and judging from their birth dates, he was probably married twice in England. His son John's name appears on the passenger list of the Mary and John. They bought land at what ever since has been called Bartlett's Cove near Chain Bridge and opposite Amesbury Ferry, and records show that they were men of education, ability and influence. Richart Sr. brought from England a rare Breecher Bible he had purchased in 1612, as well as other books. This edition of the Bible contained the Book of Common Prayer, a Concordance, and Psalms set to music. According to tradition, the Bartletts were a music-loving family.

We have before us a copy of the Breeches Bible, which was exhibited at the Newbury Quarter Millenary Celebration, June 10, 1885. It beongs to Miss Elizabeth G. Hoyt of Chelsea…

Richard Bartlett Bought this booke Anno Domyni 1612.

I Richard Bartlett writ this for the age of my children.

Joane Bartlett borne in Januarey 29. 1610 wensday 8- of the cloke at nyght.

John Bart borne the 9 of November. 1613 a. 11. Of the clok in the day

Thomas Bart borne Januarey 22 1615

Rich Bart was borne October the 31. 1621 wensday mor 3 clok

Cris B the 25 of febru’ being yt yeare S. mathias 1623 between 12 & 1 in the morn

Anne Bart was borne the 26. Of februarye being sonday about 12 of the clocke in the day in the yeare 1625^[1]

Excerpt from Family Records of Branches of the Hanaford, Thompson, Huckins, Prescott, Smith, Neal, etc.

The ancestors of the Bartletts came from Normandy, with William the Conqueror, and fought the battle of Hastings. Stopham, England, is the ancestral seat of the family. the Bartletts were among the Wiltshire Colony that came over on the Mary and Joh, March 24, 1633, and settled at Newbury, Mass,; among this colony was Richard Bartlett and family.

Richard Bartlett is credited as being the ancestor of the largest group of descendants of any Bartlett who immigrated to America from England. He seems to have been born about 1585, an estimate based on the known birth of his first child in 1610. He died at Newbury, Massachusetts May 25, 1647, leaving a nuncupative will. He was a shoemaker. He owned a family Bible ("Breeches Bible") in which the births of his six children are recorded. The first name of his wife was Joan/Johan/Joann.

Came to Newbury, Massachusetts in 1635, settled Barletts Cove, in Newbury [opposite Amesbury Ferry] where he settled with his brothers John and Thomas and his sons, Richard and Christopher and a daughter Joanna. He was one of the earliest settlers at Newbury in 1635 [the year of its incorporation]. He brought "Breeches Bible" to America. His estate was proven and recorded in Ipswich, MA in deed book, Vol. 1 leaf 25.

Birth

1575 Ernley, Sussex, England^[2]

Children

Children:^[1]

1. Joanna (Joane) Bartlett b: 26 JAN 1609/10 in England
2. John Bartlett b: 9 NOV 1613 in Ernley, Sussex, England
3. Thomas Bartlett b: 22 JAN 1614/15 in England
4. Richard Bartlett b: 31 OCT 1621 in Ernley, Sussex, England
5. Christopher Bartlett b: 25 FEB 1623 in Ernley, Sussex, England
6. Anne Bartlett b: 26 FEB 1624/25 in England

Death

25 May 1647 Richard Bartlett Sr at Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony (MBC)^[3]

Last Will of Richard Bartlett

The nuncupative will of Richard Bartlett, sr., of Newbury, was proved in the Ipswich court 28: 7 : 1647. The following is a copy of the same as recorded in the Ipswich Deeds, volume I, leaf 25.

The testimony of william Titcombe & Anthony Somersby concerning the last will & testament of Richard Bartlett sen of Newbury deceased the 20th of May 1647 About a month before he deceased we being with him and two of his sonnes being prsent he being very ill & had bene weake all the spring finding in himselfe that he was not like to continew he desired vs to take notice what his mind was concerning that small estate he had how he would dispose of it. as for his sonne John bartlett he had done for him more than for the rest of the children & at that tyme did not dispose any to him. To his sonne Christofer Bartlett he did bequeath the debt which latly he had borrowed of him which was five bushells of wheat if soe be it should please the lord to take him away at this sicknesse or ells if he should lye longe vizitted his necessity would require that he should pay it againe. To his daughter Johan wife of william Titcomb he bequeathed one paire of new shoes for herselfe & her four daughters each one a paire of shoes And all the rest of his goods & chattels that were not disposed of he bequeathed wholly to his sonne Richard Bartlett whom he made his sole heire & executor.

I Anthony Somersby the next day pswaded him to give somthing to his sonne John bartlett his answere was that he had bene with his sonne Richard Batlet this twelve month & all that he had was to little for to give him seing he had bene weake & ill & could doe little but lay vpon his sonnes charges; besides said he if I should lye longe sick I shalbe chargable to Richard & not to any of the rest and for John I have done more formly yet I will give him the warming pan and vpon his sonnes request he gaue him a great bible: this he spake being in psect memory & soe continued to the last breath.

I Edward Rawson wittnes to the last pt of the will that I often heard the said Richard Bartlett sen (the tyme of his sickness) say he would & did give all to his sonne Richard Bartlett 29th Septemb 1647.

this was before the wittness

Edward Rawson

Mr Rowson sworne to the first part of this will Anthony Somersby sworne to the wholl will before the court held at Ipswich 28th 7th month 1647.

The above will entered by a former user, knights_53, who added it to this profile 16 Feb 2009.

p me Robert Lord Clerke.^[4][5]

"Inventory of estate of Richard Bartlett of Newbury, shoemaker, deceased May 21, 1647, taken by William Titcombe, John Batlett & Anthony Somersby:

In leather…………………………………………….......... £2. 15s
His wearing apparell………………………………....... £1. 4s
2 paire of canvas sheets…………………………….... £1. 1s
One old shirt & a napkin…………………………....… 2s. 1d
One old coverlet & a blanket……………………….. £1
One old flock bed & a bolster………………………. £1
One old great kettle………………………………….......... 12s
One paire of pott hangers………………………….... 1s. 4d
One brasse pott……………………………………............. 10s
Two little kettles…………………………………................. 5s
One small brasse morter…………………………...... 7s. 6d
One warming pan………………………………….............. 6s
One great bible……………………………………............. 12s
Some other small books……………………………........ 7s
One cow……………………………………………............ £4. 5s
One heifer…………………………………………........... £1. 15s
His working geare and lasts……………………….......... 4s
Old pewter platters and an old pint pott………...... 2s
One spit & frying pan……………………………......... 3s. 6d
One small musket…………………………………................ 9s
One paire of bellowes…………………………….............. 1s
Bushel bagg, 2 old chests, a stone bottle & A halfe
bushel bagg………………………………............................ 5s
His debts…………………………………………............. £4. 19s
In silv……………………………………………….............. £2. 5s"^[6]

Discussion of Richard Bartlett's Origins

There is some doubt about who the parents of Richard Bartlett are. Some theories follow. According to some sources, their evidence is "clear." It remains to be sorted out whether any of these theories provide a preponderance of evidence, beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Edmund Bartlett (Barttelot) of Stopham and Ernley and Elizabeth Covert as the Family of Origin

Richard is claimed to be the child of Edmund Bartlett and Elizabeth Covert. ^[7] Burke claims that Edmund Bartlett is also the father but does not name a mother.^[8]

Statement I for the Edmund Bartlett parentage.

The following is a direct quote from the Burke reference:

Edmund Barttelot, of Ernley, Sussex, acquired estates in that parish from the Fenner family (Dallaways's Western Sussex, i, 27) who had held them during the greater part of the sixteenth century. He is not named in the pedigree recorded by his grandson, Edward Bartlett, of Ernley, and Redlandat the Visitation of 1633/34 (Harleian MS 1562), but there is there described as the fourth son of Richard Barttelot and Elizabeth Gates. He d. 1591, and according to the family pedigree had issue,

1. Edmund, of Ernley, mentioned at the Visitation of 1633/34, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Gore, and had issue,

I. Edward, of Ernley and Redland, recorded the arms of Barttelot of Ernley...and had issue.

2. John, b. inter 1580/90, sold his properties in Ernley in 1634, is believed to be identical with the John Bartlett who sailed from England in the Mary and John, in 1634, and settled in Newbury, Mass., where he pursured the calling of tanner, becoming a freeman in 1637. He d. 13 April, 1678, leaving by his wife Joane (d. Feb. 1679), a son,

John, b. in England; emigrated with his father; m. 5 Mar. 1660, Sarah, dau. of John Knight, and left issue, from whom descended the Bartletts of Newton, Mass., and of Bath, N. H.).

3. Richard, ancestor of the line of which we treat.

4. Thomas, b. 1580/90, probably the same Thomas who sailed on the Mary and John, in 1634; settled at Watertown, Mass.

The third son,

Richard Bartlett (or Barttelot), of Bartlett's Cove, in Newbury, Mass. (it is opposite Amesbury Ferry), where he settled with his brother, John (see above). He emigrated with his brothers, John and Thomas, and his sons, Richard and Christopher, and a dau., Joanna, being one of the earliest settlers at Newbury in 1635 (the year of its incorporation), where he was a shoemaker, b. 1580/90; d. 25 May, 1647, leaving issue,...

Here Burke continues tracking the family line down to a certain Rolla Willis Bartlett b. 2 Sept. 1869.

Statement II for the Edmund Bartlett parentage.

Researchers at The Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence^[9] draw the following conclusions about Richard Bartlett of present:

Edmund Barttelot of Stopham and Ernley (d. 1591) had three sons who migrated along with him:

John and Richard of Stopham settled in Newbury, Massachusetts and Thomas settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. The writers describe the evidence as seemingly clear. Both John and Richard had rescinded their claims to the Stopham estates in exchange for the means to migrate. Because a record of Thomas exists who settled at approximately the same time as the other brothers, that is taken as effective evidence because of the rarity of such a coincidence in name and appearance at the correct time. Their trip was on the ship Mary and John in 1634.

Specifically about Richard, the DSDI researchers write:

Richard was an elder in the church, and brought the Breeches Bible with him inscribed with the birth dates of his family members.

(Citing Levi Bartlett): "The Bartlett families settled in and around the place called Bartlett’s Cove in Newbury, opposite Amesbury Ferry. Richard operated the ferry between Amesbury and Newbury, and that area in Newbury is now Maudsley State Park. Richard died on 25 May 1647 and is buried in the old Sawyer Burying Ground in Newbury. He married Joanne (—-) in Stopham and she died in Newbury."

DSDI's lineage reconciled on behalf of Josiah Bartlett begins about 9 generations earlier in the article, and continues well beyond the 12th, picking up next with Richard Bartlett (Jr), born 1621, who migrated to Newbury with his father, and later married Abigail. His son is named the third, who married Hannah Emery of Newbury. This Richard was the grandfather of Josiah Bartlett, among the signers of the 1776 Declaration of Independence.

Edmound Barttelot and Elizabeth Gore as the Family of Origin

Edmound Barttelot and Elizabeth Gore Barttlelot are thought by some to have been his parents. They were from prominent family of the landed gentry class in Ernley, Sussex, England.^[10] Others believe that he came from Wilts, England, based on the premise that many of the early settlers of Sailsbury, Amesbury, and Newbury, Massachusetts came from Wilts as a group with their pastor.^[11]

This source seems to be the origin of Richard Bartlett's descent from the Barttlot family:

Genealogical and Biographical Sketches of the Bartlett Family in England and America: Levi Bartlett of Warner NH 1875-6, Lawrence Geo S Merrill & Crocker Printers. 1876. On line at: [Levi Bartlett's Book]

Edward Bartlett and Alice Grange as the Family of Origin

Edward Bartlett and Alice Grange as a family of origin. This theory appears to be based upon the Geni profile for Richard Bartlett, Sr:

Richard Bartlett Sr.

Parents: Edward BARTLETT and Alice GRANGE.

Sons: Richard Bartlett Sr. 1575-1647 Bro John Bartlett b. 1585

Spouse: Joanne (BARTLETT). Richard BARTLETT b. 1575 and Joanne b. 1576 (BARTLETT) were married about 1608 in England.

Children were: Joanna (Joane) BARTLETT b. 1610 , John BARTLETT b. 1613, Thomas BARTLETT b. 1615 England, Richard BARTLETT 1621 England, Christopher BARTLETT b. 1623 England, Anne BARTLETT b. 1625 England.

Summarized: Richard Bartlett Sr was born to Edward Bartlett and Alice Grange in Sussex-Ernley England. He married a Joanne of Sussex, whose maiden name is unknown. They had two daughters and four sons. He died in Essex-Newbury, Massachusetts.

This theory on parentage is cited as being supported by "The Bartlett Family of Newbury Mass." from "The Essex Antiquarian", Salem, Mass. 1903, Vol. VII, No. I. at one website, but is unable to be reproduced, re: Richard BARTLETT.

Robert Bartlett and Alice Barker as the Family of Origin

Although an alternate parentage has also been suggested from work reviewed by the Society of Descendants of Robert Bartlett, which place Robert Bartlett (ca. 1579-1655) and Alice Barker (ca. 1570-1630) - the latter being a close cousin of Sir Christopher Barker, Queen's Printer, as the parents of Richard of present, they cite The American Genealogist articles which - in their opinion, require more follow-up than has already occurred.

Other Discussion of the Family of Origin

Articles with additional discussion: NEHG Register Vol 31 (1877) Page 131-2 gives a review of this book and finds "we hope that researches will be continued till all doubt on this subject is removed." by JW Dean (Ancestry.com's premium web-site).

Please see also the Register Vol 40 p 192-204 date April, 1886 "Newbury and the Bartlett Family" by John Coffin Jones Brown, Esq of Boston. (Also at Ancestry.com): In summary, this author has cast some doubt on the Barttelot ancestry of Richard Bartlett.

Coffin suggests that the Bartletts may have migrated from Wilshire on the Hercules or Mary and John with Rev Thomas Parker and presents a different Bartlett pedigree.

Coffin expresses his opinion using the description "fabricated" based on "mere similarity of name".^[12]

Again in The NEHGS Register April, 1958 there is an article "Heraldic Glass in the Stopham Church," which discusses the Barttelot lineage.

A birth or baptism of 14 Apr 1575 in Ernley or Wiltshire, West Sussex is frequently seen, but until parents of origin are agreed upon, it may be premature to attempt to prove the birth or baptism date.

Note: The place of birth and parents shall remain blank in the Summary at the top of the profile. This is being done per WikiTree policy regarding disputed lineages. Edited 3/21/2013: Removed Bartlett-247, Gore-43 and De_Wiltshire-1 from the profile.^[13] Removed Edmund Barttelot from the profile.Nally-4 07:45, 29 November 2014 (EST)

DNA Testing

Bartlett Society DNA testing, see Group "RF Plymouth, MA & TN" for descendants of Robert Bartlett. The FamilyTreeDNA Results tabel accessible below would appear to point to Devon (South of Wilts) as a possible origin for this Richard Bartlett.

Here are some highlights:

"Group J [Team 2]; Newbury, MA & South Devon, UK [13 matching participants] Haplogroup I1d (L22+,P109-)

J. Richard BARTLETT b c1575; d 1647; m Joan _____; lived Newbury, MA J4. Richard BARTLETT 1621-1698 MA; m Abigail _____"

Research Notes

1. Noyes Family Genealogy Page
2. Geni Project: First Settlers of Newbury, Massachusetts, 1635 has a photograph of a plaque erected by Descendants of These First Settlers, which presumptively includes the subject of this profile, listed as Richard Bartlet.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Newbury and the Bartlett Family- John Brown, NEHGR- Vol. 40, pp. 203-4 (Apr. 1886)
2. ↑ Some sources consider this birth information to be erroneous.
3. ↑ Vital records of Newbury, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849 Vol. 2 p. 544. Internet Archive
4. ↑ The Essex Antiquarian: Vol VIII. #1, p. 9
5. ↑ Brown: NEHGR vol 40 p 200
6. ↑ Ipswich Deeds- Vol. 1, fol. 25-6 quoted in The Probate Records of Essex County- The Essex Institute, Salem, 1916- Vol. I, pp. 86-7
7. ↑ This identification of the parents is seriously disputed. I have seen it called fraudulent. ^{[citation needed]} Perhaps "not documented" would be a more tactful way to phrase it. Entered by Nally-4 on 11/8/14
8. ↑ Burke, Bernard. Burke's American Families with British Ancestry: The Lineages of 1,600 Families of British Origin Now Resident in the United States of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub., 2010. Print.
9. ↑ DSDI Staff. (11 Dec 2011). Josiah Bartlett. The Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, accessed 25 Sep 2018.
10. ↑ See Levi Bartlett
11. ↑ Brown: NEHGR Vol 40 p192-204
12. ↑ Brown: NEHGR Vol 40 P204
13. ↑ Please refer to NEHGR 40:202-4, which disputes this particular theory of familial origin.

• Bartlett, Levi. Genealogical and Biographical Sketches of the Bartlett Family in England and America (G. M. Merrill & Crocker, Lawrence, Mass., 1876)
• The Essex Antiquarian (Salem, Massachusetts, 1897-) Vol VIII. #1, p. 9
• Brown, John. Newbury and the Bartlett Family, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass.) Vol. 40, Page 192-204
• Hoyt, David W. The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury Massachusetts (Providence, Rhode Island, 1897) Page 54
• Public Member Trees (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006.) Family trees submitted by Ancestry members.
•  : American Genealogical-Biographical Index, Godfrey Memorial Library, Middletown, CT, USA
• Hannah Bartlett
• "The Bartlett Family of Newbury Mass." from "The Essex Antiquarian", Salem, Mass. 1903, Vol. VII, No. I.
• Genevieve Wilson Bartlett. "Forefathers and Descendants of Willard & Genevieve Wilson Bartlett and of Allied Families." Saint Louis, Missouri (1952) at familysearch.org