Elisha Bigelow (1728 - 1814)

Born 11 Jan 1728 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Goodridge) Bigelow — married 1 Dec 1757 in Lunenburg, Worcester, Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

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Biography

Elisha Bigelow's birth on 11 Jan 1728 is recorded in various places,^[1] but the sources when examined seem all to rely on that from his gravestone.^[2]

He married Sarah Goodridge on 1 Dec 1757.^[3] They lived in Westminister, Massachusetts where the births of 7 children are recorded. His and Sarah's deaths are recorded in the same document as the children's births.^[4] Children and births listed are:
Susanah 13 Aug 1759
Epram 8 Aug 1761 (Ephraim)
Sarah 5 July 1763
Elisha 18 July 1765
Elisha 22 Oct 1767
Susanah 6 Nov 1769
Abijah 5 Dec 1775

Elisha and Sarah resided in Westminster where Elisha was active in town affairs serving as assessor for ten of the years from 1767 to 1782.^[5]

On 20 January 1790, Elisha Bigelow conveyed to Ephraim Bigelow several parcels of land in Westminster for payment of £210. On 7 July 1804, Elisha conveyed to Abijah Bigelow of Leominster a lot of land in Ashburnham containing 81 acres for payment of $324.^[6]

In his will written 5 January 1804 (proved 17 May 1814), Elisha Bigelow bequeathed to beloved wife Sarah sole use and improvement of, during her natural life, that part of the dwelling house lately built northeasterly of and adjoining his late dwelling house. Provisions for her support are to b provided by the executor. She also receives the household furniture. These bequests are in lieu of her right of dower. After the death of his wife, the personal estate is to be equally divided among his children. Son Ephraim receives $600 and with what he has received, this is his full portion. Daughter Sarah Penniman wife of William receives use and improvement of a lot of land called the saw mill lot during her natural life, and after her decease, this lot is to go to grandson Joel Penniman. Daughter Sarah also receives $200. Son Abijah receives $500 to complete his portion. The remainder of the estate goes to son Elisha Bigelow who is also named executor.^[7]

Elisha Bigelow. ^[8]

Marriage Husband Elisha Bigelow. Wife Sarah Goodridge. Marriage 1 DEC 1757. ^[9] Event: ResearchNote^[10] Note: Case states that Sarah and Elisha "went to Westminster". I assume he meant Westminister, Massachusetts.

Husband Eleazer Bigelow. Wife Mary Fiske. Child: Elisha Bigelow. Marriage^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQ6C-9XJ : 15 January 2020), Elisha Bigelow, 1728.
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50918280/elisha-bigelow : accessed 18 November 2020), memorial page for Elisha Bigelow (11 Jan 1728–1 Feb 1814), Find a Grave Memorial no. 50918280, citing Woodside Cemetery, Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by Ken Smith (contributor 46985536) .
3. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPCS-TC8Y : 31 October 2019), Elisha Bigelow and Sarah Goodridge, 1 Dec 1757; citing Marriage, Lunenburg, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007011128.
4. ↑ "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG12-433K : 29 November 2018), Elisha Bigelow, 18 Jul 1765; citing Birth, Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007011588.
5. ↑ Howe, Gilman Bigelow. 1890. Genealogy of the Bigelow Family of America, from the Marriage in 1642 of John Biglo and Mary Warren to the Year 1890. Worcester, MA: Charles Hamilton. p 85
6. ↑ Massachusetts Land Records, Worcester County, 121:387; 158:252
7. ↑ Worcester County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1731-1881. Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015. Case 5378
8. ↑ Source: #S1 page 361
9. ↑ Source: #S1 page 361
10. ↑ Source: #S2
11. ↑ Source: #S1 page 361

• Henry Bond MD, "Genealogies of the families and descendants of the early settlers of Watertown, MA including Waltham and Weston" (Boston: N. E. Historic-Genealogical Society [Heritage Quest Online], 1860), page 34.
• Gilman Bigelow Howe, "Genealogy of the Bigelow Family of America: from the marriage in 1642 of John Biglo and Mary Warren to the year 1890" (Worcester, Mass.: Charles Hamilton, 1890), page 45; my e-book, Google Books
• Source: S1 Lafayette Wallace Case M.D., Author Role: Editor The Goodrich Family in America. A Genealogy of the Descendants of John and William Goodrich of Wethersfield, Conn., Rich Publication: Fergus Printing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1889, Second Date, 1984

Acknowledgements

• GED file graciously provided to Whitney Rapp on 10/18/17 by Goodrich Family Association (http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org) for upload to WikiTree.