William Follett (1620 - bef. 1690)

Born 1620 in England

Husband of Elizabeth (Matthews) Follett — married 20 Jul 1672 in Dover, New Hampshire

Died before 27 Nov 1690 before age 70 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire

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Biography

Born around 1620 in England ^{[citation needed]}

1653 Age: 33 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire ^{[citation needed]}

Owned part of the mill at "Belleme Bank" ^{[citation needed]}

William Follett appeared at Oyster River, Dover, NH by 1642. He purchased Lot #15 at Back River from John Hill. He Owned part of the mill at Bellamy River where he lived, which is situated between Cochecho and Oyster Rivers. Folletts Swamp - mentioned in deeds and grants - 1 Apr 1694 John Thompson Sr. had a grand from the town of Dover in Follets swamp at Oyster River on the north side of the Mast Path. Thompsons will 12 Apr 1733 gives his son Jonathan his land at Follets swamp. The Mast Road begins at the Durham Landing, at the lowest falls of Oyster River.

William Drew died in April 1669. His widow Elizabeth, daughter of Francis and Thomasine (Channon) Matthews married, before 20 July 1671, William Follett.

20 July 1672 Marriage to Elizabeth, widow of William Drew, Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire ^[1]

In 1682 William Follett petitioned the Council in behalf of his daughter-in-law (step-daughter), Hannah, widow of Godfrey Brooking. Hannah had few assets and 4 children. She was a daughter of Elizabeth Drew, since William Follett had no children. [N. H. Probate Records, as published.Vol. I, p. 258.]^[2]

Death Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire ^{[citation needed]}

Administration on the William Follett's estate inventory was granted in New Hampshire to widow, Elizabeth Follett, November 17, 1690; she presented an inventory of his estate.^[3]

According to Abigail Nason, age 90, on June 29, 1706, William Follett had no issue. She stated that Nicholas Follett, mariner, now deceased was William Follett's second cousin. Sarah Meader, age 52, of the same place as Abigail attested that this information was correct. [Abigail was most likely Nicholas's Follett's widow, who had married second Richard Nason. Sarah Meader was likely Sarah (Follett) Meader, Nicholas and Abigail Follett's daugher.] ^[4]

29 Jun 1706, Abigail Nason of Oyster River aged about 80 testified that Nicholas Follett of Portsmouth, a tailor, was the eldest son of Nicholas Follett deceased who was a second cousin to William Follett late of Oyster River, and that William Follett died without issue. She stated that Nicholas Follett is the next of kin to William. In Aug 1706, the court agreed and ordered Elizabeth Follett to deliver possession of the lands in the inventory and he, Nicholas, would assume all the debts of the estate and pay to her the annual payment given her in William Follett’s will. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America, Vol. 2, by Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833 (1898 New York), p 196, available on archive.org. (“William Follett, of Dover, 1651, married 1672, Elizabeth, widow of William Drew, and had son Nicholas.” - Testimony of Abigail Nason disputes that Nicholas was their son.)
2. ↑ Stackpole, Everett Schermerhorn, 1850-1927; Thompson, Lucien, b. 1859; Meserve, Winthrop Smith, 1838-, History of the town of Durham, New Hampshire, Vol. 2: (Oyster River Plantation) with genealogical notes, Published 1913, pp.135-136
3. ↑ New Hampshire Probate Records, 1635-1753, Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, vol 1. New Hampshire Wills 1690 via Ancestry. Ancestry Sharing Link.
4. ↑ New Hampshire Probate Records, 1635-1753 Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, vol 1, New Hampshire Wills 1690 accessed via Ancestry June 23, 2022. Ancestry Sharing Link.
5. ↑ New Hampshire Probate Records 1635-1753, Vol. 31, p.340-1

• http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/31746009/person/18113773170 NOTE: non-functioning link as of June 23, 2022

Acknowledgements

• This person was created through the import of fitzmaster032511.ged on 27 March 2011.