Nathaniel Eldred (abt. 1620 - bef. 1682)

Born about 1620 in London, England [uncertain]

Died before 2 May 1682 before about age 62 in Barbados

Biography

The date of birth is a rough estimate based on his first wife's birthdate being 1619 or 1623.

Nathaniel Eldred was named as "son" in the will of Governor John Haynes written in 1646, and was then living in England. It is not clear which of John's daughters he married, whether Mary (baptized 1619) or Ann (baptized 1623). The relationship is confirmed by a reference by John Haynes, son of Governor Haynes, to "my cousin Eldred" in a letter of 29 April 1669, and Nathaniel descibing himself in 1680 as "brother" of Samuel Wyllys, another son-in-law of Governor Haynes.^[1]

In the late 1640s he was trading in various items, including cloth and dried cod, to Boston.^[2]

By 1675 Nathaniel was living in Barbados. On 29 May that year he recorded the noncupative will of George Lock at St Michaels.^[3] On 2 September 1676 he was named as executor of the will of Abraham Dormer.^[4] In the same year, part of his business in Barbados was selling native Americans as slaves on behalf of Fitz-John Winthrop.^[5]

His first wife must have died before 1678, when he married Mrs Anne (or Anna) Clay, a widow, on 5 December 1678 in St Michael's Parish, Barbados.^[6][7]

In 1680 he is listed, with his wife, one hired servant or apprentice, and two slaves, in a list of inhabitants of St Michael's, Barbados.^[8]

He died in late 1681 or early 1682, as his will was written on 24 December 1681 and proved on 2 May 1682. His will names his wife as executrix, and his children John and Elizabeth Eldred.^[9]

His wife Anna survived him. She is named as a widow in the will of Mary Coleman written 29 November 1682,^[10] and mentioned in the will of Mary Cossam dated 20 May 1684.^[11] In her will of 11 Feb 1685 (proved 18 June 1696) describes herelf as Nathaniel's executrix. She also names her sons Jonas Woodroffe and Benjamin Clay.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ Anderson, Robert Charles. Great Migration Begins, Boston, MA: NEHGS 1995, pp 893-897 Link at AmericanAncestors ($)
2. ↑ A Volume Relating to the Early History of Boston Containing the Aspinwall Notarial Records from 1644 to 1651, in Reports of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, Volume 32 (Boston 1903) https://archive.org/details/volumerelatingto00aspi/page/n2/mode/1up?q=eldred
3. ↑ "Caribbean, English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800"
   Barbados Wills and Administrations, Vol. I, page 223
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61463 #97798 (accessed 24 December 2022)
   George Lock probate.
4. ↑ "Caribbean, English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800"
   Barbados Wills and Administrations, Vol. I, page 106
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61463 #96158 (accessed 24 December 2022)
   Abraham Dormer probate in St Michaels Parish.
5. ↑ Letter from John Winthrop, at New London, dated 15 December 1676, to Mr Nathaniel Eldred "merchant at Barbadoes", Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, ser. 5, vol. 8 (Boston, 1883), pages 282–283.
6. ↑ "Caribbean, English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800"
   Barbados Marriages, Vol I, 1643-1800; Section: St Michael Parish
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61463 #1054183 (accessed 24 December 2022)
   Anne Clay marriage to Nathll. Eldred on 5 Dec 1678 in St Michael Parish, Barbados.
7. ↑ "Barbados Church Records, 1637-1887"
   citing Marriage, Saint Michael, Barbados, Department of Archives, Blackrock; FHL microfilm 1,157,923.
   FamilySearch Record: QKDS-KZM3 (accessed 26 December 2022)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRST-GKL Image number 00124
   Nathll Eldred marriage to Anne Clay on 5 Dec 1678 in Saint Michael, Barbados.
8. ↑ Hotten, John Camden. The Original Lists Of Persons Of Quality (J.W. Bouton, New York, 1874) Page 442.
9. ↑ "Caribbean, English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800"
   Barbados Wills and Administrations, Vol. II, page 106
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61463 #83358 (accessed 24 December 2022)
   Nathaniell Eldred probate.
10. ↑ "Caribbean, English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800"
    Barbados Wills and Administrations, Vol. II, page 69
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61463 #82778 (accessed 24 December 2022)
    Mary Coleman probate in St Michaels. Parish.
11. ↑ "Caribbean, English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800"
    Barbados Wills and Administrations, Vol. II, page 76
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61463 #82882 (accessed 24 December 2022)
    Mary Cossam probate in St Michaels Parish.
12. ↑ "Caribbean, English Settlers in Barbados, 1637-1800"
    Barbados Wills and Administrations, Vol. II, page 106
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61463 #83355 (accessed 24 December 2022)
    Anna Eldred probate.