Honour Rolfe (abt. 1593 - 1650)

Born about 1593 in Hamptworth, Downton, Wiltshire, England

Ancestors

Wife of Henry Rolfe — married 28 May 1621 (to before 28 Mar 1643) in Whiteparish, Wiltshire, England

Descendants

Died 19 Dec 1650 at about age 57 in Charlestown, Sulfolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Biography

Honour Rolfe, the daughter of Richard Rolfe, Jr. and Agnes Rolfe, was born in Wiltshire, England. Based on the fact that she was one of two daughters mentioned in her father's 1598 will,^[1] the fact that she was mentioned first of the two daughters in his will,^[1] and the fact that she was not yet 16 at the time of a bond by her mother and her step-father, John Rice, in 1606,^[2] suggests that Honour was probably born sometime in 1591-1595.

She married Henry Rolfe in Whiteparish, Wiltshire, England on 28 May 1621. The entry in the Whiteparish register actually states that she married John Rolfe.^[3] However, the will of John Rolfe, Sr. makes it clear that Honor married his son Henry.^[4]

She died on 19 Dec 1650 in Charlestown, Middlesex County, Mass. Bay Colony, at the house of her son-in-law, Thomas Blanchard, husband of her daughter Anna.^[5][6] In her will, she divided her possessions between her four surviving children and made gifts of 20 shillings to each grandchild.^[7][6]

Last Will & Testament

The noncupative will of Honor Rolfe was proved in Ipswich court on 7 July 1651 based on the depositions of Henry Largin and George Vaghan. Set forth below is George Vaghan's deposition:

The Testymoney of George Vaghan Aged abought 23 yeares Concerning the last will of Honor Rolfe widdow deceased: 19th of 10th mo 1650.

This Deponent saith that himselse being in prsence together with Henry Largin some two daies before the death of the aboue said testator, he heard her make this her last will in manner following.

Inprimis She bequeathed all her estate in generall to her youngest Sonne Beniamine Rolfe onely excepted these pticulers which follow:

Item to her foure Grand Children she gaue twenty shillings a pece, to be paid them foure or fiue yeare after that time. Item all her Right in halfe an acre of Ground on which the Barne stands and a yonge fowe she gaue to her sonne John Rolfe:

Item a little Cowe that file had she gaue to her daughter Hannah Dole.

Item all her weareing Cloathes & bedding she gaue to be equally deuided betweene her two Daughters Anna and Hanah: these pticulers aboue said this deponent tooke spetiall notice of; & further he saith not: only a day after her sonne in lawe Richard Dole comeing to her desired this Deponent to Afte her what she would doe with the three pounds ten shillings in England, & shee Answered that she would that her sonne Beniamine should haue a sute of Cloathes out of it, & the rest he should haue meaning her said sonne in Lawe Richard Dole. The word Beniamine enterlined

Taken upon oath this 20th of the 12th mo 1650 before me William Hibbins^[7][6]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Genealogical Research in England," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol LXVI (July 1912), p 245
2. ↑ "Genealogical Research in England," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol LXVI (July 1912), p 246
3. ↑ "Genealogical Research in England," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol LXVI (July 1912), p 247
4. ↑ "Genealogical Research in England," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol LXVI (July 1912), p 247
5. ↑ Henry Rolfe, "Henry and John Rolfe of Newbury and Salisbury and their Children," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 35, April 1882, p 143
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Quinby, Henry Cole, "New England Family History, Volume 1," 1907, pp 84-88
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} "Will of Honor Rolfe," The Essex Antiquarian, Volume IV, 1900, pp 137-138

See also:

• Frederick G. Rolfe, The Early Rolfe Settlers of New England Gateway Press, Baltimore, MD, 1995
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66178112/honour-rolfe: accessed 24 August 2022), memorial page for Honour Rolfe Rolfe (1593–19 Dec 1650), Find A Grave: Memorial #66178112, citing Burying Ground of the First Settlers, Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by Bushnell (contributor 47234417).