JOHN SEVERENCE 1609-

[Ancestral Link: Marguerite Anderson (Miller), daughter of Hannah Anderson (Anderson), daughter of Mary Margaret Edmiston (Anderson), daughter of Martha Jane Snow (Edmiston), daughter of Sarah Sawyer Hastings (Snow), daughter of Salome Burt (Hastings), daughter of Enos Burt, son of Martha Severence (Burt), daughter of Ebenezer Severence, son of John Severence, son of John Severence.]


NOTES
!The Severance Genealogy, David C. Dewsnap. John Severance arrived in New England as early as 1636 with his wife Abigail Kimball. they lived in Boston until 1639 when they became among the first settlers of Salisbury, Massachusetts. This book combines all the available Severence genealogical material, including vital records, census reports, church records and local histories, with input from family manuscripts and Bible records into a concise, easy-to-read family history. the histories include new information regarding Severence involvement in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War and the movement to the West Coast during the gold rush days. 1995, 516 pp, illus, bibl., index, paper. $40.00 #ZD187. Heritage Books, Inc. (internet - found through FamilyTreeMaker.)
!Source for information from John up through John (1520) from http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/7379/severence.htm#top.
!Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts; Volume I 1636-1656; Published by the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. 1911. From introduction, page v: "Massachusetts Bay was divided into shires or counties by a law passed May 10, 1642. the territorial limits of Essex County were much as they are at the present time, save that all the towns lying north of the Merrimack river were established as the county of Norfolk, thereby including the towns of Haverhill and Salisbury. Norfolk County was divided into two court jurisdictions, Dover and Portsmouth forming the northern and the remaining towns the southern."
!Page 124, Ipswich Quarterly Court, Court held at Ipswich 28:7:1647....Jury in Mr. Symonds and the Town case: Mr. Henry Mounday (also Moonday), Thomas Myghill (also Myhill), William Asey, Thomas Leaver, John Pickard, Ralfe Blasdell, JOHN SEVERNES, Anthony Sadler, Richard Knight, Nicholas Noyce, John Sanders and Henry Short.
!Page 166, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1649; JOHN SEVERANCE licensed to keep the ordinary and to sell wine and strong water for the town of Salisbury.
!page 201, Court held at Hampton 1:8:1650; July of trials: Mr. Edward Richworth, Willi. Godfrey, Jno. Redman, Jno Brown, Willi. Moulton, Nathan Drake, Tho. King, Tho. Macy, Henry Ambross, Phillip Challis, JNO. SEVERANCE, Jno. Cough, James Davis, Jno. Clements, Henry Pallmer, Mr. Sam. Winsley, Tho. Sweatman, Theophilus Satchwell, Tho. Hale, Tho. Pettitt.
!Page 222, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1651; JNO. SEVERANCE v . Willi. Maston. Debt. For 1400 pipe staves assigned by Edward Colcord to James Wall and by him to JNO. SEVERANCE. Verdict for plaintiff.
!Page 280. Salisbury Quarterly Court; June 1653; JNO. SEVERANS v. the Country. Debt. For ten pounds due and assigned by the Auditor General. And. Greely made oath that the Treasurer was summoned to appear. Verdict for plaintiff.
!Page 281, Court held at Salisbury 14:4:1653, by adjournment ... JNO. SEVERANS v. Edward Colcord. Debt. Defendant acknowledged judgment to plaintiff.
!JNO. SEVERANCE v. Edward Colcord. Debt. For non-payment of five pounds for a cask of wine.
!Page 310, Court held at Hampton 4:8:1653; Jury of trials: Mr. Christopher Hussie, foreman, Anthony Stanian, Robert Drake, Robert Smithe, Sam. Fogg, Tho. Pettitt, Moses Gyllman, JNO. SEVERANS, dismissed........
!page 311, Court held at Hampton 4:8:1653; Tho. Kinge V. Edward Colcord. For non-payment of pipe staves to JNO. SEVERANS or Mr. Sam. Dudley. Defendant acknowledged judgment to plaintiff.
!Page 346, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1654; JNO. SEVERANS v. Henry Green. For not making a mill to grind malt according to promise.
!Page 347, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1654; JNO. SEVERANS bound for his appearance at next Hampton court.
!Page 368 & 369, Court held at Hamton 3:8:1654; Petty jury: Henry Palmer, foreman, Jno. Gill, Willi. Fullar, Willi. Moulton, Mr. Saml. Winsley, dismissed, George Carr, Ant. Coleby, JNO. SEVERANS.....
!Page 369, Court held at Hampton 3:8:1654; Emanuell Hilliard v. JNO. SEVERANS. For molestation in plaintiff's peaceable enjoyment of a parcell of meadow he bought of the defendant, by having his hay taken away.
!Page 369, Courth held at Hampton 3:8:1654; JNO. SEVERANS v. Edward Colcord. Debt. A special verdict and the bench found for the plaintiff.
!Page 369, Court held at Hampton 3:8:1654; JNO. SEVERANS v. Edward Colcord. Debt. For entertainment at his house.
!page 370, Court held at Hampton 3:8:1654; Mr. Sam. Winsley v. Humphrey Wilson. For 500 pipestaves delivered to Natt. Boulter, and debts paid for him to Mr. Bradbury and JNO. SEVERANS. Withdrawn.
!Page 371, Court held at Hampton 3:8:1654; JNO. SEVERANS' bond for Barnabas Lamson's appearance was forfeited. Elizabeth Osgood ordered to up in a sufficient security, to the satisfaction of the prudential men of Salisbury, to free the town of all charges for the support of a child of hers which she had by Barnabas Lamson, or else to be sent to Ipswich goal. If she kept the child, she was to have the remainder of Lamson's estate bound to the town of Salisbury for her security.
!Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts; Volume I 1656-1662; Published by the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. 1912.
!Page 378, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Execution, dated 8:8:1661, to Richard Ormsby, to satisfy judgment granted to John godfrey, signed by Tho. Bradbury, for the court, and served JOHN SEVERANC, deputy marshall of Hampton.
!Page 379, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1662; JNO SEVERANS, husband of "hir yt was sometimes ye wyfe of Henry Ambross," and now administrator to the estate of said Ambross, deceased v. Ed. Colcord. Trespass. For alienating a parcel of upland that was formerly granted to Henry Ambros in Hampton, in the north field, by mortgaging the same to Christopher Palmer. Withdrawn.
!Page 379, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1662; JNO. SEVERANCE'S license to keep the ordinary was renewed.
!Page 380, Salisbury Quarterly Court, John (his mark) Mayfeild, on 8:2:1662, appointed his loving friend JOHN SEVERANCE, his attorney.
!Page 380, Salisbury Quarterly Court, Apr. 1662; JOHN SEVERANCE deposed that Lt. John Pike came to him and told him that he understood that John Maxfeeld had left the business about the young men in question to this deponent, and John Pike and JOHN SEVERANCE entered upon the discourse, but at that time did not agree because JOHN SEVERANCE was called away and before they could come together again, they had taken John Maxfeeld aside and said they had made a composition but he did not hear said Maxfeeld own it at that time. sworn at Salisbury court, 11:3:1662, before Tho. Bradbury, recorder.
!Page 381 & 382, Salisbury Quarterly Court, Apr. 1662; Jonathan Singletary, aged about twenty-two years, deposed that in going to GOODMAN SEVERANCE's in the morning, he met with Lt. Picke of Newbery and John Mayfeild at the stile or yard. Lt. Picke said he had come to fulfill his agreement about the wine and when he had gone deponent asked said Mayfeild how it was that he had entered his action and had now agreed. Maxfeild scratched his head and said "aye they make lightt of termes of agremt as I came from ye new town wt them butt last night Leftt; Joh Pick com & sought to me in ye blads behalf & pswaded me to condesend to him," etc. Maxfeild further said that he had committed his case to his LANDLORD SEVERANCE. John Pike testified to the same. Sworn in court.
!page 383, Salisbury Quarterly Court, Apr. 1662; Mr. Tho. Bradbury, Richard Wells and JOHN SEVERANCE were sworn to end small causes for Salisbury.
!Page 411, Salem Quarterly Court; June 1662; Tho. Bradbury, recorder, certified that JNO. SEVERANS, in the presence of the county court at Salisbury 8:2:1662, tendered in behalf of Richard Ormsby, very good English goods to satisfy Jno. Godfrey the sum of ten pounds.
!Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts; Volume III 1662-1667; Published by the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. 1913.
!Page 21; Salem Quarterly Court; Nov. 1662; Execution, against Richard Ormsby in satisfaction of a judgment granted John Godfery at Salem court June 24, 1662, signed by Hillyard Veren, cleric. Samuell Archard, marshal, on 24:7:1662, appointed Ribert Lord, marshal of Ipswich, his deputy, who attached ninety-six acres of upland and six acres of marsh, appraised at four score and sixteen pounds belonging to said Ormsbee. The appraisers were JOHN SEVERANCE of Salisbury, John Emery of Newbery and Robert Lord of Ipswich Bond of Jeremiah Jewett.
!page 59; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1663; Rob. Ring v. Town of Salisbury. For refusing or neglecting to deliver to him or his agent his proportion of salt marsh in the first division of "higledee pigledee" lots, belonging to himself and his right of freehold purchased of Jno. Fuller. Verdict for the plaintiff. To pay a fine or make good his equal proportion of salt marsh for the right of his two lots, within two months. appealed. JNO. SEVERANS bound to prosecute. * Copy of the town records of Salisbury, Feb 26, 1663: Voted to refer to indifferent men to judge whether they have tendered satisfaction to Robert Ring according to the agreement of the town's attorney with said Ring concerning the appeal, and they made choice of Mr. Sewall of Newbery to join ---- as judges, and mr. JNO. SEVERANS as attorney to prosecute in behalf of the town. copy made by Tho. Bradbury.
!page 60; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1663; Joseph Davis, presented for buying raw hides, was admonished. Mr. Tho. Bradbury, Rich. Wells and JNO. SEVERANS took the three men's oath.
!page 62 & 63; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1663; Inventory of the estate of Anthony Collby, late of Salisbury, deceased, taken Mar. 9, 1660 ... Anthony Colby, debtor. To .... JOHN SEVERANS 11i.13s.8d.
!page 97; Court Held at Hampton, 13:8:1663; Jury of trials: JNO. SEVERANS, foreman....
!page 98; Court Held at Hampton, 13:8:1663; JNO. SEVERANS v. Henry Fane. Debt. To be paid in fish. Verdict for plaintiff.
!Page 146; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1664; Rob. Ring v. JNO. SEVERANS. For breach of bond in not prosecuting the appeal, in the action between said Ring and the town of Salisbury at last Salisbury court, at the next Court of Assistants. Verdict for defendant.
!Page 147; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1664; JNO. SEVERANS swore to his book of accounts.
!Page 148; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1664; Writ: JNO. SEVERANS v. Rob. Clements; debt; for entertainment at his house and for entering on action at Salisbury court, 1663, part of which was to be paid in money, butter or wheat about Michaelmas last; dated 31:1:1664; signed by Tho. Bradbury for the court; and served by John Griffing, deputy constable of Haverhill, by attachment of ten acres of land near John Page's house. {Note: Michaelmas is the feast of St. Michael the archangel celebrated on the 29th of September, in England.
!page 237; Ipswich Quarterly Court; Mar. 1665; JOHN SEVERANES and John Stevenes deposed, 20:11:1664, that they were at the house of Robert Feates about eight or nine years before, when the promise was made, etc. Sworn, Mar. 25, 1665, before Daniel Denison.
!page 238; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1665; Robert Ring v. Town of Salisbury. For not giving him reasonable satisfaction according to agreement with JNO. SEVERANS, the town's attorney, made Aug. 31, 1663, concerning judgment granted to said Ring by the Salisbury court in 1663, against the town, for not laying out to him his division of salt marsh in the first higledee pigledee lots, nor performing the award of the arbitrators, that is, Mr. Symonds chosen by the town, and Mr. Woodman by said Ring, as by order of said town and said Ring's proposition appeared. Verdict for plaintiff, the marsh in controversy. Court did not concur.
!page 251, Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1665; JNO. SEVERANS was appointed administrator of the estate of Isaac Jones, late of Salisbury, deceased, and was ordered to present an inventory, and to pay only for the present the funeral charges, physic and diet.
!page 406 & 407, Salisbury Court; Apr. 1667; Jno. Maxfeild v. Jno. Cole. For claiming and making use of that parcel of meadow which was laid out to the original right of defendant in reference to the cow common, which right Cole sold to JNO. SEVERANS, and the latter to George Martyn and said Martyn to said Maxfeild. Verdict for defendant. appealed to the next Court of Assistants. Jno. Maxfeild and JNO. SEVERANS bound.
!Page 407; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1667; Willi. White, Capt. Pike, Rich. Wells and JNO. SEVERANS took the three men's oath.
!Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts; Volume IV 1667-1671; Published by the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. 1914.
!Page 21 & 22; Court held at Salisbury, 14:2:1668; Joseph Stowers v. JNO. SEVERANS. Tresspass. For mowing or causing to be mowed a certain parcel of marsh belonging to the plaintiff, thereby claiming propriety thereof, said marsh lying ... the cow common in the old town of Salisbury, and formerly belonging to the common right of Jno. harison and by him sold to Ralf Blasdale and by his successors conveyed to said Stowers, being the third lot as recorded and laid out. Verdict for defendant.
!Page 132: Salisbury Quarterly Court; Mar. 1669; Paid to .... John Kimball of Ipswich, 41i.; ... Cornit JOHN SEVERANS of Sollisberi, 21i. 10s. ....
!Page 132; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1669; JNO. SEVERANCE had his license renewed for keeping the ordinary for Salisbury the ensuing year.
!Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts; Volume V 1672-1674; Published by the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. 1916.
!Page 153; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1673; JOHN SEVERANS was licensed to keep the ordinary for Salisbury for the ensuing year.
!Page 243; Hampton Quarterly Court; Oct. 1673; Receipt, dated Apr. 20, 1665, given by Thomas (his mark) King to JOHN SEAVORNES of Saulsbery, for 81i. 5s. for the use of Nathaniell Boultor, of which Corporall Christ. Pamer's 20 (?) is some of it. Wit: John Samborne. Sworn 8:3:1672 in Hampton court.
!Page 249; Salem Quarterly Court; Nov. 1573; Richd. Crooye, for beating and abusing Mathew Hooker and JOHN SEVER, was sentenced to be whipped, but the court finally took off this sentence, said Croye paying a fine. Marthew Hooker deposed that Richard Craw came into his house and said his stomach ached and threw himself upon the bed where there was a glass bottle with about a pint and a half of liquor in it. Said Hooker and his wife went out of doors and when they returned Craw had gone and therre was but a gill of liquor left in the bottle. Hooker went to Craw's house and asked him why he drank the liquor, which did not belong to deponent, and he denied that he had drunk it. Later JOHN SEVERIT came in and asked him why he drank his liquor and he said he did not touch the bottle. SEVERIT replied that the liquor was gone the same way as the rest of his things, and went into his own room. Craw followed him pulled off the bed clothes, dragged SEVERIT by the hair, struck him several blows on the face, threw him on the floor and punched him several times with his knees. then he struck said Hooker on the head with a tobacco trencher and dazed him so that he fill into the fire and Vraw kept him there until SEVERIT pulled him by the coat to drag him off. Craw dragged Hopper out of the fire by the hair and scratched him on the face. this happened on the last Thanksgiving day. Sworn, Nov. 22, 1672, before Daniel Denison.
!Page 297; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1674; Daniel Ela's license to keep the ordinary for Haverhill, JOHN SEVERANS for Salisbury, and Henry Robie for Hampton were renewed for the ensuing year.
!Page 302; Court held at Ipswich May 5, 1674; Writ: Georg Walten v. JOHN SEVERENS; debt due from henery Ambros, former husband of the present wife of said Cornet JOHN SEVERENS; dated Mar 21, 1671-2; signed by Samuel Dalton, for the court; and served by Abraham Drake, marshall.
!Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts; Volume VI 1675-1678; Published by the Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. 1917.
!Page 263; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1677; JNO. SEVERANS v. Ensign Buswell, Jno. Ilsly, Henry Brown and Wm. Brown, in behalf of the church of Salisbury. For withholding pay due to said Cornet SEVERANS for providing for and entertaining divers gentelemn sent for by the said church to sit in council at Salisbury in Sept., last, they being entertained four days, which charge was about 161i, 51i. being promised to be paid in wheat or pork and the rest in provisions at money price. special verdict. two of the church were chosed to provide for the council and one acted, so if the act of one bound the church to pay, they found for plaintiff, if not, for defendant. court gave judgment to plantiff.
!Page 399; Salem Quarterly court; Jan. 1678; The list of those who were sworn by Captayne Thomas Marshall of Lynn according to Generall Court order who took the oath at the general meeting on Feb. 26, 1677, many of them, and some since, and are here mentioned according to their serveral squadrons of tithingmen and constables. .... William Mirriam's squadron: ... JOHN SEVERN.
!Page 428; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1678; Edward Colcord v. Mrs. Katherine Nanny, alias Naylor. For not paying for 2,500 white oak pipe staves delivered to her in her husband's absence at her warf in boston by Jno. and James Philbrick about twenty years ago. Verdict for plaintiff, 2,500 staves to be delivered at Huggins' landing place in Hampton. Mr. Wheelwright, said Mrs. Nanny's attorney, appealed to the next Court of Assistants. Rev. Mr. Jno. Wheelwright and JNO. SEVERANS, both of Salisbury, bound for Mrs. Nanny of Boston.
!Page 433; Salisbury Quarterly Court; Apr. 1678; Cornet JOHN SEVERANS desiring a renewal of his license to keep a public house of entertainment and to sell wine, cider and liquors for the ensuing year, court granted license provided he entertain and sell to strangers only, prohibiting him in no case to entertain and sell to the inhabitants of Salisbury contrary to law, and cautioning him strictly to observe all the laws which relate to his place as innkeeper.
found on ancestry.com

Coming to America
I have some comments to add to the mix of theories and I know that I am outside the pale on the current thinking of John Severan's birthplace.John Severans married Abigail Kimball daughter of Richard Kimball who says in his will dated fifth of march 1674/75:"To my son-in-law John SEVERNS, I give ten pounds to be pay'd two yeares & a halfe after my decease.We also know that Richard Kimball, John Severans father in law, lived in Ipswich MA.Abigail Kimball was born about 5 Nov 1617 in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England and was christened 5 Nov 1617 in Hitcham, Suffolk, England.Supposedly John Severns and Abigail were married in Ipswich England June 13, 1635. Who has seen a marriage record to this effect?The first mention that I have found of John Severns in America is From "History of Deerfield, MA" by George Sheldon says he came over on the Elizabeth in 1634; an original proprietor of Salisbury in 1637; in Boston 1663; commissioned officer in the militia 1671; inn holder 1680; d-8 April 1682. Married Ursula (Abigail), probably daughter of Richard and Ursula Kimball and married 2nd Susanna, widow of Henry Ambrose." (Betty Ralph 1/7/98)Francis Peabody, a farmer and miller, settled first at Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, where he was living in 1636 near "Labour in Vaine" on a road that led to the beach. "Eight acres of planting ground, by an act of the Towne as in the old book Anno 1636, lying near the highway going to Labour in vaine meadowe, butting to ye East upon ye planting ground of John Seaborn and on ye North planting ground of Francis Pebody."1636-In Ipswich, Ma-Under the date February 13, 1636, the entry in the Town Record occurs, "Granted to John Severance, a six acre planting lot on the far side the Brooke, and on this side Appletons farm."In a book entitled Lechfords Manuscript Note-book which is a book that was kept by a lawyer in very early Boston there is a notation about Samuel Appleton of Ipswich where he is writing a lease and appointing several folks as his attorneys in regard to land in Monkes Elye in the County of Suffolk. His attorneys were "Isaack Appleton ar., Jo: Gurdon ar., Dan: Rogers cl., Ri: Stansby cl.,Ri: Sebborne c., I Ap: ar. de little Waldingfield in Com Suff and Henry Smith Dr of divinity & Master of Magdalen College in Cambridge."I have an English road atlas and Little Waldingfield and Monkes Eleigh are almost due south of Hitcham England and they are all quite close together, surely within walking distance. The general area is about 14 klicks to the west of Ipswich, England. Richard Kimball and Ursula Scott were from Rattlesden, Suffolk, England which is farther to the north but still quite close.The Ri: Sebborne of Little Waldingfield is very suspicious as a major connection.I have always found it troublesome that John Severns, supposedly from Worchester, England married a girl who was born clear across the country in Suffolk. The most telling thing that I have found to this point in time is that Hitcham, Rattlesden, Monks Ely and Little Waldingfield are very near each other in my atlas.Now I am not saying it is impossible that John Severans was from Worchester. The Severns from that area (near to Bristol) were noted mariners. So a sailor from Worcester could have married a girl from the opposite side of the country. But if a family named Sebborne lived quite near to the Kimballs I think that should be first place to look.My problem is that I do not have the resources to look in Suffolk for the critical connections.Janice Severns
coffingaladded this on 19 Aug 2007
found on ancestry.com


John Severance and Abigail Kimball
John Severance married first Abigail Kimball. Abigail was the daughter of Richard Kimball
and Ursula Scott. She was mentioned in her grandfather Henry Scott's will and was possibly
baptized 5 November 1617 (according to Walter Goodwin Davis), at Hitcham, Suffolk, England.
She did not sail on the same boat as her parents in 1634, probably having already been married by
that time. John was one of the original prorietors of Salisbury Essex, Massachusetts and was
included in the first division there. He was a freeman there 17 May 1637 and a member of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1638. At first, his occupation was that of planter but
later he became a victualler and vintner, who was licensed to keep an ordinary. Abigail died 17
June 1658. John married second Susanna - (widow of Henry Ambrose) 2 Oct 1663. John died 9
April 1682. His will was made 7 April 1682 and proved 9 May 1682.
John and Abigail's children are:
1. Samuel Severance, born 19 Sep 1637 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, died young.
2. Ebenezar Severance, born 7 Mar 1639 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, will made 22 Aug
1665 and proved 9th 2 mo 1667, not married.
3. Abigail Severance, born 7 Jan 1641 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, died 7 Mar 1641 in
Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts.
4. Abigail Severance, born 25 May 1643 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, married John Church
29 Nov 1664 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, mentioned in Ebenezar's will.
5. Mary Severance, born 5th 8 mo (5 Aug) 1645 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, married
James Coffm in 3rd 12 mo (3 Dee) 1663 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, mentioned in
Ebenezar's will.
6. John Severance, born 24 Nov 1647 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, married Mary -15
Aug 1672, mentioned in Ebenezar's will.
7. Joseph Severance, born 14 Feb 1649/50 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, mentioned in
Ebenezar's will.
8. Elizabeth Severance, born 8 Apr 1652 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, died 23 Jun 1658 in
Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts.
9. Benjamin Severance, born Jan 1654 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, mentioned in
Ebenezar's will.
10. Ephraim Severance, born 8 Apr 1656 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, married Lydia
Morrill 9 Nov 1682, mentioned in Ebenezar's will.
11. Elizabeth Severance, born 17 Jun 1658 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, died 5 Feb 1662/3
in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts.
Sources:
1. Dow, George Francis (ed.), The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts, Salem, MA:
Essex Institute, 1917, Vol. 2.
2. Vital Records of Nantucket, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, VoL II-Births (G-Z), Boston:
New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1925.
3. Vital Records of Nantucket, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, Vol. III-Marriages (A-G),
Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1927.
4. Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Before 1692,
Vol. 4, Boston, MA, 1860.
5. Representative Men and Old Families of Southeastern Massachusetts, Chicago: J.H. Beers &
Co., 1912.
6. Morrison, Leonard Allison & Sharples, Stephen Paschall, History of the Kimball Family in
America from 1634-1897, Vol. 1, Boston: Damrell & Upham, 1897.
7. Hoyt, David W., The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts, Baltimore,
Genealogical Publishing Co., 1982.
8/5/2010
Page 20f5
8. Davis, Walter Goodwin, Massachusetts and Maine Familes in the Ancestry of Walter Goodwin
Davis (1885-1966), Vols. II & III, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1996.
Estate of Ebenezer Severance
The last will & Testamt of Ebenezar Severance made the 22th of August 65 Imp I do giue &
bequeath unto my brothers Jno Severans & Joseph Severans all my tooles to be divided equally
between them: & to my brothers Benjamin & Ephraim Severans: each 40s: it I giue unto my Sister
Mary Coffyns daughter: Mary fiue pound: It I giue unto Abigail Ambross 20s: and the rest ofmy
Estate: I do giue & bequesth unto my beloved Sisters Abigail Church & Mary Coffin: And I do
appoint my Honered ffather Jno Severans my Sole Executor to this my last will 7 testamt: In
wittness whereof I haue here unto sett my hand & Seale.
Ebenr Severns.
Witness: Joshua Peirce, Tho. Bradbury, Sen.
Proved in Salisbury court 9: 2m: 1667by Tho. Bradbury, Sr. Essex County Probate Files, Docket
25,068.
Source: Dow, George Francis (ed.), The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts,
Salem, MA: Essex Institute, 1917, Vol. 2.
Nantucket Births
SEVERANCE
Page 464
Mary, wife of James Coffin (son of Tristram and Dionis), daughter of John and Abigail of
Salisbury, 5th, 8 mo. 1645, [see Salisbury Vital Records], P. R. 38.ill
Source: Vital Records of Nantucket, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, Vol. II-Births (G-Z),
Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1925.
Nantucket Marriages
COFFIN
Page 274
James, son of Tristram and Dionis (Stevens), and Mary Severance, daughter of John and Abigail
of Salisbury, 3d, 12 mo. 1663, in Salisbury.jj] P. R. 38.
Source: Vital Records of Nantucket, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, Vol. III-Marriages (A-G),
Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1927.
Severance, oft. writ. Severns, as sound.
EPHRAIM, Salisbury, son of John, married 9 November 1682, Lydia, daughter of Abraham
Morrill, had Abigail, born 29 August 1683; Mary, 2 July 1685; Lydia, 15 January 1687; Ephraim,
2 December 1689; Dinah, 3 September 1692; Ebenezar, 9 November 1694; Sarah, 7 February
1698; and Jonathan, 21 April 1700.
JOHN, Salisbury, one of the original proprietors, freeman 17 May 1637, before that town was
settled; by first wife Abigail had Samuel, born 19 September 1637, who died young; Ebenezer, 7
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Page 3 of5
March 1639 (who died 1667, unmarried in his will of22 August 1665 giving three brothers and
two sisters all his estate); Abigail, 7 January 1641, died in few weeks; Abigail, again, 25 May
1643; Mary, 5 August 1645; John, 24 November 1647; Joseph, 14 February 1650; Elizabeth 8
April 1652, died soon; Benjamin, January 1654; Elizabeth again, 17 June 1658, died at four years;
and his wife died 17 June 1658, as did a twin daughter five days after. His second wife was
Susanna, widow of Henry Ambrose, and he died 9 April 1682, having made his will two days
before. Mary married December 1663, James Coffin of Nantucket.
JOHN, Salisbury, son of the preceding by wife Mary had Ebenezer, born 19 September 1673;
Abigail, 6 May 1675; John, 22 September 1676; and Daniel, 3 June 1678; removed to [[vol. 4, p.
53]] Suffield, there had Mary, 14 July 1681; and Joseph, 26 October 1682; removed to Deerfield,
where Abigail died 1691, and Daniel was killed by the Indians 1694; and he removed to Bedford
before 1709, giving his Deerfield lands to son Joseph.
Source: Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Before
1692, Vol. 4, Boston, MA, 1860.
John Severance,the first American ancestor of many who bear the name in this country, appears at
Ipswich in 1636, and in Boston in 1637. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company at its organization in 1638, was a freeman in 1640, becoming such in 1637 at Boston,
and in that same year was one of the original proprietors at Salisbury. It is believed that he built
his home in Salisbury early in 1640, and moved his family from Boston.
Source: Representative Men and Old Families of Southeastern Massachusetts, Chicago: J.H.
Beers & Co., 1912.
Abigail, b. Rattlesden, county of Suffolk, England; d. in Salisbury, Mass., June 17 1658 ... She is
not mentioned in the list of passengers, with the others of her father's family, on the Elizabeth. She
was in the prime of life at the time of her death. "
Source: Morrison, Leonard Allison & Sharples, Stephen Paschall, History of the Kimball Family
in America from 1634-1897, Vol. 1, Boston: Damrell & Upham, 1897.
Pages 8-9
The following is a copy of a paper found in the Massachusetts archives, Boston, without date, but
indexed under 1639. The use ofthe name "Colchester" places the date ofthe original record
between September, 1639, and October, 1640, unless the new settlement used the name before it
was authorized by the General Court. The Salisbury records have the name "Merrimack" in May,
1639. The Boston copy must have been made after October, 1640, as it uses the name
"Salisbury":
"The names of those yt have lotts & proportions granted pr the Toune of Colchester in the first
division ...
.. .John Seuerans ...
"this is A true copie of the originalllist taken out of the old book of Reccords for Salisbury as
Attests.
"Vera copia Atest
Tho. Bradbury rec.
Edward Rawson Secrety"
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I
Page 4 of5
Page 11
Salisbury Commoners, 1650.
The following extract is also copied from the Salisbury records:
"3d: (12th) mo Also att ye same meeting it was ordered yt all whose
1650 names are here vnder written, shalbe accompted townsmen & Comoners, & none butt
them, to this prsent, that is to say:
... Jno Severance ... "
Pages 11-12
£
... Jno: Severans 0
Salisbury Rate, 1650.
"Mf Wosters rate for 301s: the 25: of December 1650
s d
8 2... "
Page 12
Salisbury Rate, 1652.
"A rate made 18th 5th m". 52 for his half year due 24:4: m?
£ s d
... Jno: Severans 0 8 2 ... "
Pages 13-14
Signatures to Articles of Agreement
Between the Inhabitants ofthe Old Town and those of the New Town, May 1, 1654.ill
... John Severance, ...
Page 14
Division of Land, Salisbury, 1654 .
.. .Jno: Severans ...
Sixty names, the same as the above, omitting Abraham Fitts and John French, are found when the
town divided the mowing of beach lots, March, 1653-4. The above spelling is mainly that ofthe
beach lot list.
Page 15
Salisbury Petitions of 1658.
In the Massachusetts archives are found two petitions about church matters, both dated May 19,
1658, on which appear the following names of inhabitants of Salisbury:
... John Severans ...
Pages 314-5
1 John1 Severance [or Severans], of Salisbury, "planter," "victualler and vintner;" m. 1st, (2)
Abigai12 Kimball; who d. June 17, 1658[S]; 2d, Oct. 2,1663, Susanna- [wid. of (1) Henry1
Ambrose]. He was ofIp. 1636, reed. land in S. in the "first division," 1639, '40, and '54;
commoner and taxed 1650 and '52; signed petition of 1658; licensed to keep the "ordinary" in S.
1662, '3, '5 and later; oath fid. 1667; d. April 9, 1682[S]; will April 7, May 9, 1682; wife Susanna
ment. She signed the Bradbury petition of 1692. Children:
I. Samuel,2 b. Sep. 19, 1637[S]; d. young.
II. Ebenezer,2 b. March 7, 1639[S]; d. 1667, unm.; will Aug. 22, 1665; April 9, 1667; in which he
gave to Abigail Ambross and near relatives.
III. Abigail,2 b. Jan. 7, 1641[S]; d. March 7, 1641[S].
IV. Abigail,2 b. May 25, 1643[S]; m. Nov. 29, 1664[S], John Church. Son Jonathan liv. 1682.
V. Mary,2 b. Aug. 5, 1645[S]; m. Dec. 3, 1663[S], (5) James2 Coffin; liv. 1682. Dau. Mary liv.
1665.
VI. John,2 b. Nov. 24, 1647[S]; m. Aug. 15, 1672, Mary-.
VII. Joseph,2 b. Feb. 14, 1649-50[S]; liv. 1665. A Joseph of Yarmouth, Plymouth Co., sold land
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Page 5 of5
in S., Nov. 1682.
VIII. Elizabeth,2 b. April 8, 1652[S]; d. June 23, 1658 [S]ill.
IX. Benjamin,2 b. Jan., 1654[S]; liv. 1665.
X. Ephraim,2 b. April 8, 1656[S]; m. Nov. 9, 1682, Lydia2 Morrill.
XI. Elizabeth,2 b. June 17, 1658[S]; d. Feb. 5, 1662-3[S].
Source: Hoyt, David W., The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts,
Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1982.
Footnotes
ill Note in Vital Records: "P. R. 38-private record, from the William C. Folger genealogical
records in possession of the Nantucket Historical Association (This compilation has been used
because of the valuable clues it affords, but its statements should be received with caution, as it is
not free from errors. It should also be understood that in many instances the events recorded did
not take place in Nantucket, and in a few cases attention has been called to the question of
residence.)"
ill Note in Vital Records: "Intention not recorded."
ill The date, March 14, 1654, is also given.
ill The S. rec. is "dau. of John Severans," d. June 23, 1658[S], (six days after the death of his
wife and the birth of (12) Elizabeth2). The "Severans Genealogy," 1893, and the "Kimball
Family," give (9) Elizabeth2 d. Feb. 5, 1652-3 or '56; a twin of (12) Elizabeth, 2 d. June 23, 1658;
and (12) Elizabeth 2 herself m. (10) Samuel 2 Eastman in 1686. We have found no record of any
such twin, and the wife of Samuel Eastman we have found to be Elizabeth Scriven, per. dau. of
John Scriven, of Dover, whose will, 1674 or '5, ment. wife Mary; chil., John, Edward, Thomas,
and Elizabeth, minors [Sv.]. The will of (3) Ebenezer 2 apparently ment. all his own bros. and
sisters who were living in 1665, and his step-sister Abigail Ambrose; but no Elizabeth. The will of
John 1 did not mention all his chil.
© 2004 by Michelle Boyd, All rights reserved.
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info
1. JOHN SEVERANCE. Born ca 1609/1615 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. John died in Salisbury, Essex Co., MA, on 9 Apr 1682; he was 73. Buried in East Salisbury, Essex Co., MA. Old Burying Ground. Occupation: Victualer & Vinter. In 1635 when John was 26, he first married Abigail KIMBALL, daughter of Richard KIMBALL & Ursula SCOTT, in England. Born in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England. Abigail died on 17 Jun 1658 in Salisbury, Essex Co., MA.
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Settlement History of Salisbury, MA
On 6 Sep 1638 Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Simon Bradsteet, received an agreement from Gov. Winthrop and the General Court giving him and 11 other men the right to begin a plantation north of the Merrimack River. This land grant included the towns of Amesbury and Merrimack, MA and Seabrook, South Hampton, Newton, Hampstead, Plaistow and Kingston, NH.
The town in this territory bordered by the Merrimack River and the Atlantic Ocean, originally named Colchester, was incorporated as Salisbury in 1640. Salisbury grew over time based on upland farms, salt marsh estuaries, building boats along the river and its position on a major overland trade route to the north.
A paper found in the MA Archives in Boston (no date) indexed under 1639 lists the names of those who have lots and proportions in the Town of Colchester (Salisbury, sometimes called Merrimack). Among those named: ABRAHAM MORRELL, ANTHONY COLBY, JOHN SEVERANS and ROWELL. It is purported to be the original list from the Book of Records for Salisbury. They received land in 1640. Another ancient record book lists on the first leaf the first settlers of Salisbury and includes a number referring to the pages where their grants are recorded. Included are: John Severance (11), William Sargeant (43), Anthony Coleby (47), Thomas Rowell (53), Abraham Morrell (31). All received lots in the "first division" and owned land in Salisbury previous to 1643. By 19 Mar 1654 the Amesbury first settlers are listed as including: VALLENTINE ROWEL, JOHN COLBY, ANTHONY COLBY, WILLIAM SARGENT. After this date and prior to 1663 SAMUEL COLBY received a grant of land.
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Founding of Ipswich, MA
1620-1660 , Ipswich, MA
Source: http://www.ipswichma.com/directory/history.asp
The town of Ipswich was founded on land originally inhabited by the Agawam tribe. In 1633 a group of Englishmen, led by John Winthrop, Jr. colonized and established Ipswich, naming it for a town in England from which most of them originated. The banks of the Ipswich River provided an ideal location for establishing a new community, offering the advantages of fresh water, waterpower, excellent fishing, and good transportation. Ipswich was about 30 miles northeast of Boston. The village of Hamilton borders it to the south; Rowley to the north; Essex tot he east and Topsfield & Boxford to the west. The land is rolling, forested, with fields, marshes, dunes and beaches.
The small setltement quickly prospered. By 1645 Ipswich had nearly 800 inhabitants. The early residents were farmers, fishermen, shipbuilders, and traders.
Source: http://www.gravematter.com/cem-ma-ipswich.asp
The Old North Burying Ground is found on Main St at Rte 133 in Ipswich, MA. It was established in 1634 when the town was established. The cemetery is still in good condition, though some stones need repairing.
Source: http://john-slaughter.rootsweb.com/IpswichHistory/ and HISTORY OF IPSWICH, ESSEX, & HAMILTON by Joseph B. Felt
From the phraseology of the first land grants it is evident that the Town was located on the Neck. This was bounded on the east by what is now known as Jeffrey's Neck, named for William Jeffrey who probably resided in this area in 1628.
In March 1633, John Winthrop, Jr. and 12 others settled at Ipswich. On the 1 April of that year the court of Assistants forbid any to resied in the place without their leave, excepting those already settled there. Then follows a list of these settlers: Mr. John Winthrop, Jr., Mr. William Clerk, ROBERT COLES, Thomas Howlet, John Biggs, John Gage, Thomas Hardy, William Perkins, Mr. John Thorndike, and WILLIAM SERJEANT (those with the title mister were considered "gentlemen"; those without the title would be laborers and merchants). On the 11 of June, Thomas Sellan was permitted to become an inhabitant.
In 1634 a contingent of people emigrated to Ipswich from Newton (present-day Cambridge). The Rev. Thomas Parker and a company (includeing the brother-in-law of RICHARD KIMBALL, Thomas Scott) of about 100 settled in and near Ipswich. Between this migration and 1652 others were permitted to settle there. They include: MR. BACHILLOR (1640); RICHARD KEMBALL (1637), Thomas Scott (1635).
It was the ruling of the Assistants of the Company in London that all who settled in MA should be allowed to purchase 200 acres at 50 pounds and that every adventurer who transported himself & his family at his own expense should be granted 50 acres in the colony. These rules were observed by all the towns, dividing their territory among the population. No individual was permitted to assign lots unless he was a freeman (owners of farms and house-lots in the town and members of the church). By their order, "No dwelling-house shall be built above a half-mile from the meeting-house in any new plantation" without the permission of the Court, with the exception of mills and farm-houses. By 1650 most of the lots available had been apportioned. Occasionally this Court appropriated lands to individuals and towns. On October 17th 1649 Ipswich was allowed two-fifths of Plumb Island; it was agreed that 20 acres of this land lying between the salt marsh and low water mark would be for the use of the whole town to be improved for thatching houses. An order of 25 Feb 1645 established a cow-common on the north side of the river of 3,244 acres and was presented to the freemen of the town to be used by the town. By March 15th 1660 this common land was "overburdened by the multiplying of dwelling-houses" and so it was ordered that no house after this date should have a right to the common lands of the town for pasture, timber, or wood. In 1664 the town voted to grant no more land.
The early settlers of Ipswich built houses with "pleasant gardens." They were ususal two stories high with the upper story jutting out a foot or so over the lower. The roofs were gambrel, high & steep. The frames of the buildings were of white-oak and much larger than we use today with the beams in sight. The windows were from two and half to three feet long, one and half to two wide with squares, like the figure of a diamond set in lead lines (about 3 to 4 inches). They opened outward on hinges. The walls were daubed with clay, mixed with straw or platered with a sort of lime made in great part from clam-shells. Then they were whitewashed. Each side of a dwelling had bricks laid against the inner partition being then covered with clay, and then with clapboards. The better buildings were shingled, but others had thatched roofs. Most houses had no more than one chimney, usually placed in the middle of the dwelling and quite large. Fireplaces included a mammoth one in the kitchen where the family could sit on the two benches placed in the corners. The first settlers thought nothing of burning 20 to 30 cords of wood annually. The houses were lit by fish-liver oil lamps and tallow candles.
Dinner -- the large meal of the day -- was commonly taken at noon. Breakfast and supper consisted of pea or bean porridge or a broth made from boiled salted meat or pork mixed with meal, and occasionaly hasty pudding and milk. Broth was the most common fare. Bread was made from rye and Indian corn. Ardent Spirits (liquor) and wine were drunk sparingly by a small proportion of the early emigrants. However beer and cider were the common beverage. Coffee and Tea were later additions; tea first mentioned in 1660 and coffee not until the late eighteenth century. However Hot Chocolate was drunk occasionally by those in "good circumstances" about once a week as a treat.
When Ipswich was being settled horses were scarce; walking on foot was the common mode of transportation. When horses became more pletiful, two persons would ride one horse, fitted out with a saddle and a pillion until the small wagon and chaise was introduced.
According to Johnson, the "peopling of this towne is by men of good ranke and quality, many of them having the yearly revenue of large lands in England before they came to this wildernesse; but their estates being imployed for Christ, and left in banke, they are well content till Christ shall be pleased to restore it againe to them or theirs, which in all reason should be out of the Prelates' lands in England." (The Prelates were the ecclesiastical persons who persecuted the settlers of Ipswich forcing them to seek refuge in a new land.)
When these people came to this land there were of course many wild animals: beaver, wildcat, wolf, bear, deer & moose. Wolves preyed upon their flocks and so efforts were made to remove them from the area. Families were required to keep hunting dogs and to participate in community hunts. Bouties were given to those who killed wolves. wolves were also a threat to children; they were so abundant and near the meeting-house that parents would not allow children to come and go from worship without a grown person. Bear sitings were much less prominent. Deer were abundant and a good food source. Foxes harrassed poultry and also had a price set upon their heads.
In 1637 ploughing was a distinct employment -- the chief business of a man who onwed a plow. At the time there were only 37 ploughs in all of Massachusetts.
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