Richard Williams (bef. 1607 - abt. 1693)

Born before 18 Jan 1607 in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Frances (Dighton) Williams — married 11 Feb 1633 in Whitcombe Magna Parish Church, Great Witcombe, Gloucestershire, England

Descendants

Died about Aug 1693 after about age 86 in Taunton, Bristol County, Province of Massachusetts Bay

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Richard Williams migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 375) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

Parentage; Date and Place of Birth

Richard Williams, the son of William Williams and Jane (Woodward) Williams, was baptized in the parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, England.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]} His date of baptism has been variously published in secondary sources as January 28, 1606,^[4] January 28, 1607^[2][3] or January 28, 1608.^[5][6] Now that the image of the original parish register is readily viewable online at ancestry.com (excerpt attached as an image to this profile), it is apparent that the correct date is in fact January 18, 1606/7, as the record is listed under baptisms for January 1606 (old-style calendar) and the date is clearly an 18 rather than a 28, based on both the fact that the first digit is more similar to the recorder's 1 than his 2 and the fact that it is listed above a record dated January 25.^[1]

Marriage

William married Frances Deighton on February 11, 1632/3 at Great Witcombe, Gloucestershire.^[6][5][7][8] Their marriage was recorded as follows:

Richard Williams of the parishe of St. Johns in Gloucr and Frances Deighton of the parishe of St Nicholas in Gloucr Aforesayd, were marryed the xith day of February at Witcombe Magna, by Mr Stubbs [t]eacher 1632.^[9][7][8]

Immigration; Residency at Dorchester and Taunton

Several sources say that Richard and his family immigrated to New England about 1636 or 1637.^[5][8] It is unlikely that they arrived in 1636, however, as there is a record of the baptism of their son Samuel at St. Nicholas, Gloucester, England in February 1636/7.^[10] His brothers-in-law John Lugg and Samuel Hagburne/Hackburne probably emigrated at about the same time.^[8]

Although Richard was one of the original 46 purchasers in 1637 or 1638 of land that became Taunton, Plymouth Colony,^[11][12][8] he also purchased land in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1637.^[12] It appears that Richard and Frances initially lived in Dorchester for a few years, as they are listed as having been members of the First Church of Dorchester prior to 1639.^[13][14] They probably moved to Taunton by 1639.^[12][14]

The proposition that Richard Williams of Taunton was the same person as the Richard Williams who was baptized in Wotton-under-Edge is confirmed by a 1646 power of attorney that "Richard Williams of Taunton in N.E.: Tanner sonne of Wm Williams late of wooten under edge ffuller deceased" made in favor of his brother Samuel Williams of Essignton in Gloucester for the sale of his right in a tuck mill and certain lands.^[8]

Children

Richard and Frances ahad the following children:

1. John, bpt. March 27, 1634 at St. Nicholas, Gloucester, England,^[15][9][16] d. young^[16]
2. Elizabeth, bpt. February 5, 1635/6 at St. Nicholas, Gloucester, England,^[17][18] d. February 15, 1635/6 at Gloucester, England^[18]
3. Samuel, bpt. February 2, 1636/7 at St. Nicholas, Gloucester, England,^[10] m. Jane Gilbert,^[16] d. August 1697 at Taunton^[19]
4. Nathaniel, b. November 17, 1639 at Taunton,^[19] bpt. February 7, 1641,^[20] m. November 17, 1668 Elizabeth Rogers in Taunton,^[20] d. August 16, 1692 at Taunton^[19]
5. Joseph, b. about 1643 at Taunton,^[20] m. November 28, 1667 Elizabeth Watson in Taunton,^[20] d. August 17, 1692 at Taunton^[19]
6. Thomas, b. about 1645 at Taunton,^[19][20] m. Mary _____,^[20] d.1706 at Taunton^[19]
7. Elizabeth, b. about 1647 at Taunton,^[19][20] m. John Bird,^[20] d. October 20, 1724 at Dorchester, Province of Masschusetts Bay^[21][19]
8. Hannah, b. about 1649-50 at Taunton,^[19][20] m. John Parmenter,^[20] d. August 12, 1683 at Taunton^[19]
9. Benjamin, b. June 1652 at Taunton,^[19][20] m. March 12, 1689/90 Rebecca Macy in Taunton,^[20] d. July 1701 at Taunton^[19]

Public Life

Richard was a tanner by trade, as established by (1) the 1646 power of attorney referenced above in which he described himself as "Richard Williams of Taunton in N.E.: Tanner"^[8] and (2) a 1699 deed which refers to "Richard Williams, late of Taunton, Tanner."^[22] He was also one of the original investors in the Taunton Iron Works.^[23]

Richard was prominent in Taunton town affairs. He served as a deputy to the General Court of the Plymouth Colony 10 times from 1643 to 1665^[24] and as a selectman 19 times from 1645 to 1677.^[25] He was for many years a deacon of the church.^[14]

References in Siblings' Wills

Richard and his sister Elizabeth are mentioned in the will of their sister Jane Williams of Whetenhurst, Gloucestershire, spinster, written in 1650: "Item I give and bequeathe unto my brother Richard Williams and my sister Elizabeth Williams that are in new England each of them twenty shillings a peece."^[26]

Richard and Elizabeth were also mentioned in the will of their brother Samuell Williams fo Estington, Gloucestershire, written in 1668: "Item I give my brother Richard Williams & my sister Elizabeth ten shillings a peece if they be living and to all his children five shillings a peec if that it be lawfully demanded any time."^[27]

Will; Death

Richard made his will on May 5, 1686. In his will, he made bequests to sons Samuel, Nathaniel, Joseph, Thomas and Benjamin, daughters Elizabeth and Hannah, and wife Frances and appointed his sons as joint executors.^[28][29] The inventory of Richard's estate was filed on September 15, 1693,^[30][16] which means that Richard probably died shortly before that date. Richardsons' "Royal Ancestry" states that he died in August 1693,^[5] which seems reasonable but it is unclear what source that specific date was based on. Richard's will was proved October 11, 1693.^[28][16][31]

^{[17] [26] [27] [1] [25] [24] [22] [30] [28] [14] [11] [23] [12] [13] [21] [18] [10] [15] [6] [19] [9] [7] [5] [16] [20] [29] [8] [3] [4] [2]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 for Richard Williams, Wotton under Edge 1571 - 1659
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT, Vol 10 (1933), p 24: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT, Vol 9 (1932), p 144: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Samuel Hopkins Emery, "History of Taunton, Massachusetts from its Settlement to the Present Time," 1893, p 81
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5} Douglas Richardson, "Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, Volume II," 2013, p 412
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} "Our Royal, Titled, Noble and Commoner Ancestors", citing Douglas Richardson's books (with page numbers)
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucestershire, England; Gloucestershire Anglican Parish Registers; Reference Number: GDR/V1/274
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7} The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT, Vol 10 (1933), pp 25-6: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} "Quarter Millennial Celebration of the City of Taunton, Massachusetts, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4 and 5, 1889," City Government of Taunton, 1889, p 162
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPJY-SX3 : 11 February 2018, Samuel Williams, 02 Feb 1636); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 855,634, 855,635.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Samuel Hopkins Emery, "History of Taunton, Massachusetts from its Settlement to the Present Time," 1893, pp 28-9
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3} "Quarter Millennial Celebration of the City of Taunton, Massachusetts, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4 and 5, 1889," City Government of Taunton, 1889, p 114
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} "Records of the First Church at Dorchester in New England, 1636-1734," 1891, p 4
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3} Samuel Hopkins Emery, "History of Taunton, Massachusetts from its Settlement to the Present Time," 1893, p 83
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JM23-JBH : 11 February 2018, John Williams, 27 Mar 1634); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 855,634, 855,635.
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5} The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT, Vol 10 (1933), p 28: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Ancestry.com. Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1813 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Gloucestershire Archives; Gloucester, Gloucestershire; Gloucestershire Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P154/15 IN 1/1 Ancestry Record 4732 #2884261
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2} "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQ13-BZP : 11 February 2018, Elizabeth Williams, 15 Feb 1635); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 855,634, 855,635.
19. ↑ ^{19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 19.12} "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Descendants of the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, Mass. December 1620." (New England - United States: General Society of Mayflower Descendants., Various), 19:15,18.
20. ↑ ^{20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 20.10 20.11 20.12} The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT, Vol 10 (1933), p 29: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} "Inscriptions from the Old Burial Ground in Dorchester, MS," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol 5 (1851), p 257
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} Samuel Hopkins Emery, "History of Taunton, Massachusetts from its Settlement to the Present Time," 1893, p 738
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} "Quarter Millennial Celebration of the City of Taunton, Massachusetts, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4 and 5, 1889," City Government of Taunton, 1889, p 41
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} Samuel Hopkins Emery, "History of Taunton, Massachusetts from its Settlement to the Present Time," 1893, p 573
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1} Samuel Hopkins Emery, "History of Taunton, Massachusetts from its Settlement to the Present Time," 1893, p 571
26. ↑ ^{26.0 26.1} Prerogative Court of Canterbury: Wills of Selected Famous Persons. Digitized images. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 1. The National Archives, Kew, England.Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers. Digitized images. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11. The National Archives, Kew, England.
27. ↑ ^{27.0 27.1} Gloucestershire Probate Records. Diocese of Gloucestershire, Finding Reference GDR, Wills and Inventories. Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester, UK. Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 4294 #12997 (accessed 2 August 2022). Gender: Male; Place: Eastington; Reference Code: 233121; Court: Consistory Court of Gloucester; Will Number: 178; Will Date: 1669; Civil Place: Gloucestershire, England; Document Type: Will; Name: Samuel Williams.
28. ↑ ^{28.0 28.1 28.2} Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 for Richard Williams, Bristol Probates, Vol 1-4, 1687-1723; Vol 3, 1710-1716; Vol 4, 1721
29. ↑ ^{29.0 29.1} The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT, Vol 10 (1933), p 26: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)
30. ↑ ^{30.0 30.1} Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991 for Richard Williams
31. ↑ " Probate records 1687-1916; index, 1687-1926 [Bristol County, Massachusetts]," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YT-98XS : 3 August 2023), Film# 007703530, Bristol, Massachusetts, image 47, Vol 1.

See also:

• "Richard Williams (immigrant), geni.com
• Frost, Josephine C. Ancestors of Amyntas Shaw and His Wife Lucy Tufts Williams (Not Published, 1920) Page 17