Robert Williams (abt. 1615 - bef. 1678)

Born about 1615 in England

Descendants

Died before 30 Jan 1678 before about age 63 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Biography

Robert Williams was born in England, possibly around 1615. He resided in Boston, Massachusetts, by July, 1641, where the birth of his eldest son was recorded. James Savage, in A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, thinks it probable that he was the son of Thomas Williams, who was admitted to the church April 10, 1642, although this is not certain.^[1]

He may be the "Rob't Williams" on a Massachusetts list of "Persons made free the 2^d Day of the 3^d m^o, 1638." (May 2, 1638).^[2]

He was on a list of men "admitted to be Townsmen" of Boston dated March 28, 1642 ("28th of 1st moneth 1642").^[3]

He was a signatory on a Boston agreement dated September 24, 1641 ("24th 7th mo., 1641"), in which he and Edward Goodwin agreed to lease the ferry running between Boston and Winnetsemet (now Chelsea), Massachusetts, for the price of six pounds per year. Their lease was to last for one year with an option for two more years "in case they give content unto the countery, & they themselues desire to hould it." It would seem that he came, or was brought, to New England as an experienced ferryman.^[1][4] He apparently held this job for quite a while, for he is much later listed on a 1674 preliminary Boston tax list as "Ould Goodm Williams ferry^m."^[5] On February 25, 1677-8, soon after Robert's death, his sons Joseph and Benjamin were granted the "privilege", of carrying on his Ferry route.^[6]

The name of his wife is not recorded in the birth records of their children, nor has a Boston marriage record been found. They may have married before departing England.

The will of Robert Williams was written October 12, 1677, and proved January 30, 1677-8, so he died sometime between those two dates. In his will he gives land to his eldest son Joseph, and to son Benjamin, and bequests to daughter Phebe Eglin and her children, also to the eldest sons of Joseph and Benjamin, and granddaughter Mary Eglin.^[1][7] His wife is not named in the will, which suggests that she probably died prior to its writing.

Children

Children of Robert Williams:

1. Joseph Williams, born July 1641, baptized April 17, 1642, at Boston First Church; married Lydia Somes.^[1][8][9]
2. Phebe Williams, baptized September 3, 1643, at Boston First Church, aged about 8 days; married William Eglin.^[1][10]
3. John Williams, baptized September 7, 1645, at Boston First Church; died young. Not in father's will.^[1][11]
4. Benjamin Williams, born 1647?; married Ruth ___.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England: Volume IV. (1862). Page 566. Citing: Robert Williams.
2. ↑ Shurtleff, Records of the Governor: Volume I. Page 374. Citing; Robert Williams on list of freemen.
3. ↑ Boston Record Commissioners: Vol. 2. Boston Town Records, 1634-1660. City Document No. 46. Boston Town Records, 1642. Page 68. Citing: Robert Williams on list of Boston Townsmen.
4. ↑ Shurtleff, Records of the Governor: Volume I. Page 341. Citing: Robert Williams, Lessee on Ferry.
5. ↑ Boston Record Commissioners: Vol. 1. Boston Tax List, 1674 & 1676. Page 31. Citing: Preliminary 1674 tax list, "Ould Goodm Williams ferry^m."
6. ↑ Boston Record Commissioners: Vol. 7. Boston Town Records, 1660-1701. Page 115. Citing: 25 Feb 1677-8, Joseph & Benjamin Williams, Ferry.
7. ↑ Boston, MA: Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630-1822 (Thwing Collection). Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630–1800 and The Crooked and Narrow Streets of Boston, 1630–1822. CD-ROM. Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org($). New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.) Page 18867. Citing: Will of Robert Williams.
8. ↑ Boston Record Commissioners: Vol. 9. Boston Vital Statistics, 1630-1699. City Document 130. Births and Baptisms. Town. 1641. Page 11. Citing: "Joseph of Robert & ___ Williams born 5th month."
9. ↑ Boston Record Commissioners: Vol. 9. Boston Vital Statistics, 1630-1699. City Document 130. Births and Baptisms. First Church. 1642. Page 14. Citing; "Joseph of Robert Williams 17 day 2 mo."
10. ↑ Boston Record Commissioners: Vol. 9. Boston Vital Statistics, 1630-1699. City Document 130. First Church. 1643. Page 16. Citing: "Phoebe of Robert Williams, aged about 8 days, 3 day 7 mo."
11. ↑ Boston Record Commissioners: Vol. 9. Boston Vital Statistics, 1630-1699. City Document 130. First Church. 1645. Page 22. Citing; "John of Robert Willyams 7 day 7 mo."

See also:

• Boston Record Commissioners. Boston Records Commissioners Reports. (Rockwell and Churchill, Boston, 1875).

• Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England. (Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1862).

• Shurtleff, Nathaniel. Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England (William White, Boston, 1853-).

• Early New England Families, 1641-1700. (Original Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org($), New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2013. (By Alicia Crane Williams, Lead Genealogist.) Robert Williams (m. 1641).