Joanna (Orcutt) Edson (abt. 1692 - bef. 1758)

Born about 1692 in Bridgewater, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Ancestors

Wife of Benjamin Edson — married 14 Jul 1715 in Bridgewater, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died before 3 Jul 1758 before about age 66 in Bridgewater, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay

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Biography

Joanna Orcutt, daughter of William Orcutt Jr. (1663-1739) and Jane (Washburn) Orcutt (1666-bef.1698) was born about 1692, and she married Benjamin Edson at Bridgewater, Massachusetts on 14 July 1715. ^[1] There are no known primary records available to document the date of her birth, but a reasonable range of dates for her birth may be established in the following manner:

1. ) It is unlikely that she is older than her husband Benjamin Edson who was born about 1687 (also an estimate).
2. ) The Wikitree profile of her father asserts that her father William Orcutt and her mother Jane Washburn were married some time between 28 July 1690 and 10 Sep 1694, but the profile does not explain the reason for these dates, nor does it specify the information source which informed the selection of these dates. Assuming these dates are reliable (and they may or may not be) then it would be reasonable to presume that Joanna would not have been born prior to April of 1691, if the early date is the correct date, or June 1695 if the later marriage date is correct.
3. ) The NEGHS Vital records of Bridgewater Mass documents the marriage between Benjamin Edson and Joanna Orcutt to have been in Bridgewater, Mass on 14 July 1715; postulating a typical age for the first marriage of a young women in this period to have been 18 - 24 years of age then her birth date would have been sometime between 1691 (age 24) and 1697 (age 18).
4. ) Her asserted mother Jane (Washburn) Orcutt is presumed to have died young, as her husband William married a second time to Hannah Smith on 21 Sep 1698. There is a typical delay of about a year between the death of a first wife and the marriage to a second wife, so this would set death date for Jane (Washburn) Orcutt and a not-later-than birth date for Joanna of Sept 1697, though most genealogies assert that Joanna had a younger, full sister named Elizabeth, which would suggest Joanna was born about two years prior to this date or about Sept 1695.
5. ) The final benchmark available to be considered is that Joanna's first child was born in 1715 and her last child was born in 1736 a full child-bearing period of 21 years, suggesting that she was about 40 years of age in 1736, or stated a different way, born about 1696. The aggregate of these benchmarked boundaries for a probable range of birth dates for Joanna Orcutt is thus between September of 1691 and September of 1697 with at least three factors pointing to a most probable date of birth about late 1695. Before moving on to the next topic it should be noted that the 2017 "Mayflower etc tome states that the exact date of Joanna's birth cannot be proven and that there is a small probability that if she was 16 or younger at the time of her 14 July 1715 to Benjamin Edson, then her mother would have been William Orcutt's second wife Hannah Smith (rather than Jane Washburn) leaving Mayflower descent through the line of Joanna Orcutt as an unproven link.

Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts

• From John Maltby:

Joanna Orcutt, born ca. 1692 in Bridgewater,^[2] married Benjamin Edson, son of Joseph and Mary (Turner) Edson, on 14 July 1715 in Bridgewater, and they lived in Bridgewater.

End of Biography.

Genealogical Records

The following section of this profile provides detailed information found in the collected information sources. The purpose of this section is to provide the reader access to the information contained within the cited sources; to examine the genealogical record for areas of data corroboration and conflict, and to establish a hierarchy of reliability for the cited information. In addition, this section provides a platform to analyze, cross-correlate, and comment on important aspects of the cited historical data record.

Vital Records

• Secondary Source derived from Primary Sources, Vital records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to the year 1850, Vol I.--Births; ^[3] Data Summary:

1. ) Birth records for the children of Benjamin and Joanna (Orcutt) Edson:
   1. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 99: Abigail Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 22 Mar 1736.
   2. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 99: Benjamin Edson {Jr.}, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 3 Oct 1715.
   3. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 101: Ebenezer Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 16 Oct 1730.
   4. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 102: Ichabod Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 26 Sept 1728.
   5. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 102: Jacob Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 16 April 1722.
   6. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 103: Joanna Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 9 Sept 1733.
   7. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 105: Nathan Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 3 Jan 1717/8.
   8. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 105: Peter Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 17 May 1720.
   9. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 106: Seth Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 24 April 1726.
   10. ) Bridgewater VRs; Page 107: William Edson, child of Benjamin and Joanna, born 4 Feb 1723/4.

• Secondary Source derived from Primary Sources, Vital records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to the year 1850, Vol II.--Marriages and Deaths; ^[1] Data Summary Marriage records for Benjamin Edson and related persons:

1. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 121: Benjamin Edson married Joanna Orcut, 14 July 1715.
2. ) Bridgewater, Mass marriage records for the children of Benjamin and Joanna Edson:
   1. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 125: Peter Edson and Sarah Southworth married 28 Mar 1745.
   2. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 123: Ebenezer Edson and Lucy Packard married 7 Nov 1751.
   3. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 123: Joanna Edson and Isaac Perkins married 2 May 1754.
   4. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 123: William Edson and Martha Haward married 27 Nov 1754.
   5. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 123: Abigail Edson and Josiah Perkins married 17 Aug 1755.
   6. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 123: Jacob Edson and Betty Packard married 14 May 1759.
   7. ) Bridgewater VRs - Marriages; Page 123: Ichabod Edson and Jemima Packard married 19 July 1759.

Published Genealogical Information

1866:

• Secondary Source, Bradford Kingman; History of North Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; ^[4] Data extract for The Edson Family:

1. ) History of North Bridgewater; page 492- 493: Benjamin Edson;, son of Joseph, married Joanna, daughter of William Orcutt, on July 14, 1715; they came from West Bridgewater to North Bridgewater. Benjamin Edson Sr. passed away on 13 May 1758.
   1. ) Children of Benjamin Edson and Joanna Orcutt:
      1. ) Benjamin Edson {Jr.}; was born Oct. 3, 1715; married Ann Thayer, 1739.
      2. ) Nathan Edson; was born Jan. 3, 1718 ; died young.
      3. ) Peter Edson; was born May 17, 1720 ; married Sarah Southworth, March 28, 1745.
      4. ) Jacob Edson; was born April 16, 1722; died young.
      5. ) William Edson; was born Feb. 4, 1724; married Martha Howard, 1754.
      6. ) Seth Edson; was born April 24, 1720; removed to Stafford, Conn.
      7. ) Ichabod Edson; was born Sept. 20, 1728; married Jemima Packard, 1759.
      8. ) Ebenezer Edson; was born Oct. 16, 1730; married Lucy Packard, 1751.
      9. ) Joanna Edson; was born Sept 9, 1733; married Isaac Perkins, May 2, 1754.
      10. ) Abigail Edson; was born March 22, 1730; married Josiah Perkins, Aug. 17, 1755

1903:

• Secondary Source, Jarvis Bonesteel Edson; History of North Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; ^[5] Data Extract:

1. ) Jarvis Edson Genealogy; page 154:
2. ) Jarvis Edson Genealogy; page 456: Benjamin Edson (64); son of Joseph (24) and Mary (Turner) Edson, born in the town of Bridgewater, Plymouth County, colony of New Plymouth, New England, in 1686, married there, on July 14, 1715, Joanna, daughter of William and Jane (Washburn) Orcutt. He died in the town of Bridgewater on May 13, 1758.
   1. ) Children of Benjamin Edson and Joanna (Orcutt) Edson:
      1. ) Benjamin Edson (114); born in the town of Bridgewater on October 3, 1716.
      2. ) Nathan Edson (115); born in the town of Bridgewater on January 3, 1718.
      3. ) Peter Edson (116); born in the town of Bridgewater on May 17, 1720.
      4. ) Jacob Edson (117); born in the town of Bridgewater on April 16, 1722.
      5. ) William Edson (118); born in the town of Bridgewater on February 4, 1724.
      6. ) Seth Edson (119); born in the town of Bridgewater on April 24, 1726.
      7. ) Ichabod Edson (120); born in the town of Bridgewater on September 26, 1728.
      8. ) Ebenezer Edson (121); born in the town of Bridgewater on October 16, 1730.
      9. ) Joanna Edson (122); born in the town of Bridgewater on September 9, 1733.
      10. ) Abigail Edson (115); born in the town of Bridgewater on March 22, 1736.
   2. ) Nathan (115) and Jacob (117) probably died young. Peter 116 married, in the town of Bridgewater, on March 28, 1745, Sarah Southworth. He died childless in 1750. His will, made on April 27, 1750, was probated on August 6, 1750. Benjamin Edson (64), the father, left West Bridgewater to settle in North Bridgewater. In his will, made on January 6, 1758, probated on July 3, 1758, the names of his sons Nathan (115), Peter (116), and Jacob (117), do not appear. He devised to his son William (118) "a sixteenth part of the saw-mill at the forge.

1969:

• Secondary Source, Carroll Andrew Edson, Edson Family History and Genealogy: descendants of Samuel Edson of Salem and Bridgewater, Mass., Vol I; ^[6] Data extract:

1. ) Edson Genealogy; page 47-48: Joseph Edson, second son of Samuel Edson and Susannah Orcutt, was born about 1649 at Salem, Mass. He was married in 1678 to Elizabeth Holbrook, daughter of John Holbrook and Elizabeth Stream; Elizabeth died 2 Nov 1685 at Bridgewater, Mass. The will of John Holbrook, identifies their children as his heirs. (NEGHS vol 42, page 98). Joseph Edson married (second) on 2 Nov 1686, Mary Turner, daughter of George and Mary (Robbins) Turner.
   1. ) Children of Joseph Edson and Elizabeth Holbrook:
      1. ) Joseph Edson {Jr.}; b. 1679.
      2. ) Josiah Edson; b. 1682.
      3. ) Experience Edson; b. 6 Sept 1685; died young.
   2. ) Children of Joseph Edson and Mary Turner:
      1. ) Benjamin Edson; b. 1687
      2. ) Samuel Edson; b. 28 Aug 1689
      3. ) Mary Edson; b. 1691
      4. ) Susanna Edson; b. 1693
      5. ) Timothy Edson; b. ca. March 1694.
2. ) Edson Genealogy; page 58:

2017:

• Secondary Source, NEGHS, Mayflower Families Fifth Generation Descendants, 1700-1880; Francis Cooke, Vol 12; ^[7] Data extract:

1. ) Mayflower Families V12; page 280-281: Joanna Orcutt (Jane Wasburn; Elizabeth Mitchell; Jane Cooke; Francis Cooke) b. Bridgewater, Mass ca. 1694; d. prior to 6 Jan 1753. Married Benjamin Edson, son of Joseph and Mary (Turner) Edson on 14 July 1715. Benjamin and Hannah (signed Joanna) named as heirs in the 11 June 1739 distribution of the estate of William Orcutt. The 6 Jan 1753 (or 1758) Will of Benjamin Orcutt names sons; Benjamin, William, Seth, Ichabod, and Ebenezer; daughters Joanna Edson and Abigail Edson. No Wife.

   "The division of William Orcutt's estate identifies children Hannah/Joanna, Jane, Deliverance, Martha, Elizabeth, Moses, and Caleb. Hannah/Joanna married in 1715. If she married at the usual age, she would have been born before 1698, hence be daughter to Jane (Washburn) Orcutt. If she married very young, she could be a daughter of Hannah Smith, the presumed 2nd wife of William Orcutt. No evidence is in hand to establish the identity of Joanna's mother, hence Cooke lines through Joanna should be considered questionable."

   {Editorial Note: Just how young? William Orcutt married Hannah Smith on 21 Sep 1698, therefore the earliest this couple could have had a child would have been about the end of June 1699, and if this hypothetical child was indeed Joanna, then she would have been just a hair over 16 years of age on her July 14, 1715 marriage to Benjamin Edson. Information on the identity, quantity, birthdates, and birth order of her siblings is limited and offers little clarification with regard to the date of Joanna's birth.}

Genealogical Societies

Society of Mayflower Descendants

• Primary Source, General Society of Mayflower Descendants Membership Applications, 1620-1920; ^[8] Data Summary:

1. ) Mayflower Society Applications; Page 2249:1: October 3, 1968 membership application by May Eveline (Button) Tolman of Orem, Utah, fifth great-grand daughter of Joanna Orcutt and Benjamin Edson. Identifies Joanna Orcutt as the daughter of Jane Washburn, and a second great grand daughter of Mayflower passenger Francis Cooke. Membership application provides a twelve generation genealogy tracing the descent of Francis Cooke to May Button. The application provides a source citation for each generation of descendants from the third generation onward. May Eveline (Button) Tolman was elected to membership on 6 Dec 1968. Membership number 31756
2. ) Mayflower Society Applications; Page 2249:1: October 3, 1968 membership application by May Eveline (Button) Tolman of Orem, Utah, fifth great-grand daughter of Joanna Orcutt and Benjamin Edson. Identifies Joanna Orcutt as the daughter of Jane Washburn, and a second great grand daughter of Mayflower passenger Francis Cooke. Membership application provides a twelve generation genealogy tracing the descent of Francis Cooke to May Button. The application provides a source citation for each generation of descendants from the third generation onward. May Eveline (Button) Tolman was elected to membership In the Society on 6 Dec 1968. Application number 31756.
3. ) Mayflower Society Applications; Page 1876:1: June 22, 1957 membership application by Milton William Hughes of Tulsa, Oklahoma, fifth great-grandson of Joanna Orcutt and Benjamin Edson and a 12th generation descendant of Francis Cooke. Identifies Joanna Orcutt as the daughter of Jane Washburn, and a second great grand daughter of Mayflower passenger Francis Cooke. Membership application provides a twelve generation genealogy tracing the descent of Francis Cooke to Milton William Hughes. The application provides a source citation for each generation of descendants from the third generation onward. Milton William Hughes was elected to membership in the Society on July 5, 1957. Application number 22785.
4. ) Mayflower Society Applications; Page 453:1-3: 30 July 1917 membership application by Mary Cleveland Bryant Perkins of Brookline Park, Massachusetts, second great-granddaughter of Joanna Orcutt and Benjamin Edson, and a 9th generation descendant of Francis Cooke. Membership application provides a nine generation genealogy tracing the descent of Francis Cooke to Mary Perkins. Mary Cleveland Bryant Perkins was elected to membership in the Society on Dec 5, 1919?. Application number 3317.
5. ) Many Others.

Research Notes

1. ) The following definitions and syntax conventions apply to the preceding text of this profile:
   1. ) A Primary Source contains data that was recorded by the person in the profile; or by someone known to or with first hand knowledge of that person, during the person's lifetime, death or within two generations thereafter.
   2. ) A Secondary Source is a genealogical reference created as the result of a extensive study of available source material and it provides some evidence of the source documentation used to generate the text data.
   3. ) A Tertiary Source is a genealogical data source which is a collection of genealogical information that does not cite Primary or Secondary information sources, and the data may be factual or hearsay.
   4. ) Braces {Editorial Note Example} are used to insert editorial comments; that is to say, information or clarification that is not contained in the original, cited source material.
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Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Vital records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to the year 1850, Vol II.--Marriages and Deaths; Published by the New England Historical Genealogical Society; Boston, Mass.; 1916.
2. ↑ Calculated from the date of her marriage in 1715 and the birth of her last child in 1736.
3. ↑ Vital records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to the year 1850, Vol I.--Births; Published by the New England Historical Genealogical Society; Boston, Mass.; 1916.
4. ↑ Kingman, Bradford, History of North Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to the present time, with family registers; Boston, MA: Self published, 1866).

   • PDF download of text available here. {Editorial Note: Caution; clicking the preceding hot link will execute a large pdf download of the entire text to your computer.}

5. ↑ Edson, Jarvis Bonesteel. Edsons in England and America and Genealogy of the Edsons. The Knickerbocker Press, 1903. p. 452. Link to page at archive.org.
6. ↑ Edson, Carroll Andrew, Edson family history and Genealogy: descendants of Samuel Edson of Salem and Bridgewater, Mass., Vol I; Ann Arbor, Mich.: Lithographed by Edwards Bros., 1969. [Ancestry.com. database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

   • This two volume set remains in print and is available at the Higginson Book Company.

7. ↑ Mayflower Families Fifth Generation Descendants, 1700-1880; Francis Cooke, Vol 12; (Online database of AmericanAncestors.org), New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2017). From Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Descendants of the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, Mass., December 1620. Plymouth, MA: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1975-2015. page 280-281
8. ↑ General Society of Mayflower Descendants Membership Applications, 1620-1920; (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2020).

Other Sources

The following section provides a listing of source material that is pertinent to the profile subject, but not presently cited in the narrative text of the profile.

• Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988; (Ancestry.com database on-line). Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook).
  • Benjamin Edson and Joanna Orcut were joined together in marriage July 14, 1715. ...these seven last marriages were consummated by Josiah Edson, Justice of the Peace.

Web based Genealogies

The following section provides a listing of web-published genealogies pertinent to the profile subject; these genealogies are valuable in presenting an alternate perspective on family links for the profile subject. However, these genealogies may or may not be correct and are not presently cited as source material in the narrative text of this profile.

• FamilySearch profile for Joanna Orcutt.
• John Maltby, Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts. Genealogy linking Joanna Orcutt to Francis Cooke. Jane Washburn is the mother of Joanna Orcutt.
• John Maltby genealogy for Joanna Orcutt and Benjamin Edson.