Joseph Billington (abt. 1636 - aft. 1685)

Born about 1636 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Grace (UNKNOWN) Billington — married 16 Sep 1672 in New Shoreham, Block Island, Rhode Island

Descendants

Died after 7 Jan 1685 after about age 49 in Block Island, Washington, Rhode Island

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Biography

Bound Out

Joseph's parents, Francis and Christian Billington, were known as troublemakers in the Plymouth Colony. They had nine children who were all born in Plymouth. The five oldest children were bound out at young ages by a court order.

When Joseph was six or seven years of age, he was apprenticed to the younger John Cooke until he reached the age of twenty-one. Joseph ran away from his Master to his parent's home on several occasions. In July 1643, both his parents, his half brother, Benjamin, and he were admonished.^[1]

Birth and Family

Joseph Billington was probably born about 1636 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony. He was the son of Francis Billington and Christian (Penn) Billington.^[2]

Marriage & Children

Joseph married Grace (UNKNOWN) on 16 September 1672 at New Shoreham, Block Island, Rhode Island.^[2]

Joseph and Grace had three childeren probably all born at New Shoreham^[2]

• Mary Billington b. Sept 1674 Block Island
• Elisha Billington b. abt. 1676; m. Abigail Churchill
• Francis Billington b. abt 1680; m. Jane _____

Death

It is known that he died at Block Island, Rhode Island, sometime after 7 January 1684/5 when he was granted land there, and before 10 Jan 1692 when his name was not on a list of freeman.^[2]

Notable Records

4 Jul 1643: WHEREAS Joseph, the sonn of Francis Billington, according to the order of the Court, was by the towne of Plymouth placed with John Cooke the yonger, and hath since beene enveagled, and did oft depte his said masters service, the Court, vpon longe heareing of all that can be said or alleadged by his pcnt^, doth order and appoynt that the said Joseph shalbe returned to his said master againe immediately, and shall so remaine with him dui-ing his terme ; and that if either the said Francis, or Chiistian, his wyfe, do receiue him, if he shall againe dept from his said master without his lycence, that the said Francis, and Christian, his wyfe, shalbe sett in the stocks euery lectm-e day diu-ing the tyme thereof, as often as he or shee shall so receiue him, vntill the Court shall take a further coiu'se w"^ them ; and also, that if Benjamin Eaton, now liueing with the said Francis Billington, shall counsell, entice, or enveagle the said Joseph from his said master, that then he shall haue the same punishment with his father and mother.^[1]

5 Oct 1556 In the controversy betwixt Francis Billington and Wiliam Browne about some wages hee claimed for his son Joseph, who was hired by the said Browne for a month to say with him, the Court have ordered that the said Browne shall pay unto the said Billington 4', to bee added to 4 dales workes hee oweth the said Browne for already, and so the controversy is ended.^[3]

Joseph was a part-time sailor but called "idle and negligent. He had no occupation in June, 1657. The court told him he had to find honest employment or they would.

1657 Such of the Towne of Plymouth as have taken the Oath of Fidelity in the Year 1657. Joseph Billington, ^[4]

2 Feb 1657 Joseph was sued

Oct 1659 The Fines of October Court, 1659. Josepth Billington, 00 : 05 : 00 ^[5]

5 Feb 1660 UPON the complaint of John Barnes against Josepth Billington, for neglecting to pay him a debt of thirty-five shillings, the said Billington not appearing according to summons, being lame, an order was sent to him from the Court requiring him to satisfy the said debt betwixt this date and the Court to bee holden att Plymouth the first Tuesday in March next ensuing, or otherwise the Court will then take further course with him about..^[6]

5 Oct 1663: John Roads complaineth against Josepth Billington, in an action of the case, to the damage of nine pounds, for nonpayment of debt of six pounds nine shillings and eightpence. The jury finds for the plaintiff four pounds eleven shillings and you're pence damage and the cost of the suite. Judgment granted, according to the verdict.^[7]

3 Oct 1665: Mr. John Barnes complained against Josepth Billington, in an action of the case, to the damage of three pounds, for nonpayment of a debt of two pounds and one shilling. The jury found for the plaintiff his debt of twenty-nine shillings, one shilling damage, and the cost of the suite.^[8]

March 1666/7 He was sued for a debt, fined, and had property attached along with other court complaints. In March 1666/7 he was fined for striking Jabez Howland. He hadn't paid the fine by June 1667 so he probably left Plymouth Colony by that time.

6 Jun 1667 Debts due by rates and fines to the country, as followeth. Joseph Billington, 00:03:4 ^[9]

1670 to 1685 New Shoreham, Rhode Island, records show he lived there from 1670 to 1685. He was listed as a freeman in 1678 and 1684. In January 1684/5 he was granted a lease on a small piece of ground upon which to build a home.^[2]

Researchers note

At this time The researcher does not have access to New Shoreham Town Book No 1. records of Birth of Children and Later life activities in need of Citations. Digital copies have not been made yet.

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Sources

Footnotes and citations:

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 2. (1855): pages 58-59.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Arthaud, John Bradley. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Volume Twenty-one. Family of John Billington. Harriet W. Hodge (original compiler), Robert S. Wakefield (Revised 2001). (Boston: General Society of Mayflower Descendants 2014), p. 14.
3. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 3. (1855): page 123
4. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 8. (1857): page 181
5. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 8. (1857): page 97
6. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 3. (1855): page 217
7. ↑ https://archive.org/details/cu31924070695097/page/n125/mode/2up?
8. ↑ https://archive.org/details/cu31924070695097/page/n137/mode/2up?
9. ↑ Shurtleff. Plymouth Colony Records, volume 8. (1857): page 120

Source list:

• The Genealogist, vol. 2 no.2. (Fall 1982): pages 228-248). Some Descendants of Francis² Billington of the Mayflower, by Robert S. Wakefield.

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 1: Court Orders 1633-1640. (Boston, 1855). Archive.org Link

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 2: Court Orders 1641-1651. (Boston, 1855). Archive.org Link

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 3: Court Orders 1651-1661. (Boston, 1855).

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 4: Court Orders 1661-1668. (Boston, 1855). Archive.org Link

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 8: Miscellaneous Records 1633-1680. (Boston, 1857). Archive.org Link

• Pulsifer, David ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, vol. 12: Deeds 1620-1651. (Boston, 1861). Archive.org Link

• The General Society of Mayflower Descendants,"Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Vol. 5, Edward Winslow/John Billington," p. 39-40.

Acknowlegements:

• WikiTree profile Billington-174 created through the import of Oct 14 2012.ged on Nov 10, 2012 by Pam Carter.