Who were the parents of Nathaniel Thayer who m. 1690 Rebecca Briggs

+2 votes
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Two theories for the parents of Nathaniel Thayer "Jr" who m 1691 Rebecca Briggs

1. Nathaniel Thayer and Abigail Harvey

This is recorded here on WikiTree and also on WorldConnect (as is #2 below), but without citing sources that I can find.

2. Nathaniel Thayer and Deborah Townsend (cited in at least two published genealogies)

The problem with this theory is that the Boston VR indicates lists TWO sons named Nathaniel born to Nathaniel and Deborah Thayer:

Page 120: 1671: Nathaniel of Nathaniel & Deborah Thayer born Aug. 28.

Page 156: 1681: Nathaniel of Nathanll & Deborah Thayer born July 11. <-- This implies that the first Nathaniel died young; also THIS Nathaniel would be too young to marry Rebecca Briggs in 1691.

 

WikiTree profile: Nathaniel Thayer
in Genealogy Help by Jillaine Smith G2G6 Pilot (895k points)

1 Answer

+1 vote

FROM: The Harvey Book:

 

“ABIGAIL HARVEY3 (William,2 Thomas1). Born in Boston 25 April, 1640, she came to Taunton with her parents in 1646. Prior to 1668  she was married to Nathaniel Thayer of Taunton. He was one of the fiftytwo  grantees named in the deed from Governor Prince and others for the “North Purchase” of Taunton, 6 June, i668. He was also named as one of the grantees of the Bradford deed of 1689. [See page 32 ante.]

Abigail died at Taunton 20 Aug., 1691, and was buried in the Neck-ofland burial-ground. She was survived by her husband, by her son Nathaniel Thayer, Jr., who was named as a devisee in his grandfather Harvey’s will, and by other children whose names are not known."

“In ye Name of God Amen, I WILLIAM HARVEY being growne to a considerable age through ye patience of God and now being sick and weak. in Body though of sound memory & judgemt blessed be God Doe make & constitute this my last Will & Testamt.

“Impe. Doe commit my Soule to ye Lord Jesus Christ my Redeemer in hopes of acceptance thro free Grace & my Body to be Decently buryed”

“Fifthly to Nathanl Thare, Junr I give a parcell of land about or three acres lying at ye Norwest from ye meadow which we usually mow at three mile River.”

 

“Thomas deeded in September, 1693, certain lands to Nathaniel Thayer, Sr., for the benefit of the children of the said Nathaniel and his deceased wife Abigail, who was the sister of Thomas Harvey.” 

Also see: Thayer Families Association

VOLUME II ‹ Descendants of Nathaniel Thayer, Immigrant to America 1660.

This volume consists of the genealogical and biographical information of the Immigrant Nathaniel Thayer and his wife, Abigail HARVEY and 2148 of their descendants. Nathaniel Thayer immigrated in 1660 and settled in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

by
Thanks, Anonymous. This genealogy indicates that one Nathanial Thayer married an Abigail Harvey and had a son Nathaniel Harvey Jr. I'd love to find the birth record of this son.

We also know from the above-referenced vital records, that another Nathaniel Thayer married a Deborah and had a son named Nathaniel Thayer (who could also be referred to as "Jr").

What has yet to be nailed down is

a) which Nathaniel married Abigail and which married Deborah, and

b) *which* Nathaniel Thayer Jr married Rebecca Briggs.

These old marriage records do not identify parents' names.

I think the vital records above rule out the son of Nathaniel Thayer and Deborah. Such a son would only have been 10 years of age at the marriage to Rebecca Briggs. I'd just be more comfortable with a bit more hard evidence. I'll explore the Thayer Association and see what sources they cite.

The challenge with so many of the published genealogies-- especially those from before 1900 or so-- is that so few cite their sources. Doesn't mean they're wrong; but it does mean we have to confirm what they claim. (Many old genealogies have been shown to include errors.)

Thanks again!

-- Jillaine

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