[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 Jonathan Hastings, son of Marty Hartwell (Hastings), daughter of Sarah Wheeler (Hartwell), daughter of Sarah Davis (Wheeler), daughter of Simon Davis, son of Margery Willard (Davis), daughter of Richard Willard, son of Simon Willard, son of Richard Willard.]
Richard Willard Birth about 1493 Brenchley, Kent, England
Father: William Willard 1470-1559 of Brenchley, Kent, England
Mother: Johanna _____ 1474 of Brenchley, Kent, England
Marriage: Elizabeth _____ Born about 1495 Died after 1538 of Brenchley, Kent, England
Death: 18 September 1558 Brenchley, Kent, England
Children: Son: Simon Thomas Willard 1530-1584
Simon Birth about 1530 Brenchley, Kent, England
Simon Marriage: to Joan Elizabeth Road 8 October 1556 Horsmondon, Kent, England
Simon Death: 26 February 1584 Goudhurst, Kent, England
from Ancestry.com
Richard WILLARD was born about 1500 in Brenchley, Kent, England. He died on 18 September 1558 in Brenchley, Kent, England. He was a Yeoman of Brenchley, Kent and made a will dated on 18 September 1558 and proved 24 October 1558 . He names 8 sons and 2 daughters.
The 10 known children of Richard1 Willard and an unknown spouse were as follows:
i. Symon2 Willarde, married Elizabeth (--?--).
ii. Robert Willard.
iii. Alexander Willard.
iv. George Willard.
v. Richard Willard.
vi. Andrew Willard.
vii. Thomas Willard.
viii. William Willard.
ix. Alice Willard.
x. Agnes Willard.
Descendants of Richard and Elizabeth include the Willard Clock makers, Simon Willard of Massachusetts was a magistrate during the Salem Witch Trials. Samuel Willard was the Reverend of the Old South Church in Boston, he baptized Benjamin Franklin and he spoke out against the Salem Witch Trials. Yet another descendant, John Willard, was accused and hung as a witch during those very trials.
Richard WILLARD and ELIZABETH were married about 1524 in Brenchley, Kent, England.
from ancestry.com
Willard/ Woolard Family History: 1470-1655The Willard/ Woolard Surname dates back to the 11 century and is considered to have a Teutonic origin. The surname is from Norman- Saxon blood where ancient ancestors from the region of Western Europe (Modern Northern France) lived. The oldest Willard in our line dates back to 1470 in Kent, England. His name is William Willard. Kent, England was well known for the hop, iron, and cloth industries, which provided the Kent landscape with two of the most prominent landmarks, the coast houses used for drying hops and the welding hall houses of the Kent ironmasters and cloth manufacturers. William Willard’s son was a yeoman named Richard Willard, born in 1500, who married Elizabeth. His sons were Robert, Alexander, George, Richard, Andrew, Symon, Thomas and William and daughters Alice and Agnes. In a town called Horsmonden, Kent, England was born to Richard and Elizabeth, Simon Willard. A neat, square green known as the Heath forms the centre of the Horsmonden village, set among pastures and orchards. Simon was born in 1530 in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Like his father, he too was a yeoman.
Simon married Elizabeth Waterman in 1532 in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Goudhurst is a parish in Kent England that is centered around St. Mary’s church. He was thirty and she was twenty-eight when they married. His father, Richard, made a will on September 18, 1558. It is possible that he was sickly and soon died after this date. To the union of Simon and Elizabeth was given a son named, Richard Willard. They named the son in honor of Simon’s deceased father. On February 6, 1563 Richard Willard was born in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Unfortunately, his parents Elizabeth and Simon would die while he was still a young boy. He just turned one when his father died on February 26 1584 and four when his mother died.
Richard Willard, who had been born in 1563, was raised by someone other than his parents. He was married in Westgate, Kent, England on September 23, 1601 to Margery Humphrie of Horsmonden, Kent, England. Richard was eighteen and Margery was twenty-nine. They had four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Margery, and Catherine, and a son named Richard. They gave birth to Simon Willard, named after his grandfather, on April 7, 1605 in Horsmonden, Kent, England. Simon’s mother, Margery, died when he was three on December 12, 1608. Simon’s father remarried to a woman named Joan. They had a son named George. Eight years later, Richard Willard died on February 20, 1616 leaving his eleven-year-old boy, Simon Willard, exposed to the changing word and times. However, eight days before his death, the yeoman made a will which bequeathed to the poor of Horsemonden, to his 2nd wife Joan, to her son Francis Morebread to his son George Willard 6 silver spoons and a silver and gilt cup, to be delivered to him after his mother's death. To his four daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Margery and Catherine, his household stuff excepting that bequeathed to his wife. To his son Richard Willard the income from certain lands, to his son Simon Willard all the rest of his lands when becomes of age. He directs that Simon be placed with some honest man where may learn some good trade and be instructed. Richard Willard was to get land purchased of Ecenden and Paynter. In the case of Simon’s death before reaching maturity, George was to have the lands left to him. Elizabeth a sum of money. To his daughters Margerie and Catherine a barn and orchard.Simon Willard, born in 1601, grew up without his parents, under the direction of an unknown man. At that time Horsmonden was the most important gunmaking site in Britain. He was taught a trade, just like his father had wished. He likely served in the military, because he was called the Kentish Soldier by historian Edward Johnson. He married a girl named Mary Sharpe in England. In May of 1634, he voyaged with his wife, children, sister Margerie, and her husband Captain Dolor Davis to the New World. They are believed to have come to America on one of Winthrop’s ships. Watching the persecution of other Puritans by Bishop Laud influenced his decision to leave. It was difficult to leave England as the church, locally called St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, and the government demanded allegiance to church and country before you could embark.
They arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. He started trading with the Indians buying and exporting furs. His first wife, Mary Sharpe died in America. While in America, one of his sons, named Rev. Samuel Willard, studied witchcraft for twenty-years prior to the Salem Witch trials and took a stance against the Rev. Cotton Mather. The fourth of August 1634, Simon had a grant of land at Cambridge where he stayed for a year. In 1635, a Rev. Peter Bulkeley came to the colony and Simon Willard and he became very close. On Sept 5, 1635 a grant was made to Mr. Buckley and Mr. Willard of thirty six square miles of land where Concord is today. Simon Willard in his trade with the Indians saw it as a rich area for farming. About 12 families were to move to this location through the tangle of brush and swamps. Mr. Willard led the group. The hardships endured were great. After getting there they bought the land from the Indians paying in trade goods. Mr. Willard was one of the three men who met with the Indians and made the trade. By the 25th of August 1635 he sold the property and with others founded the plantation of Concord, the name meaning the home for aging men. They bought the land from Indians in 1636 and remained friends for many years.
Shortly after Willard founded the town of Concord, John Winthrop wanted to build a fortification at the mouth of the Connecticut river and sent 20 men under the direction of Gibbons and Willard to build a fortification. This was finished in December. Immediately after the organization of the town, Willard was made clerk of the writs and continued for 19 years through annual elections. In this position, he had authority to grant summons and attachments in all civil actions, summon witnesses and take bond etc.
He was granted a military commission in Concord as lieutenant-commandant in March 1637. His military experience continued for 40 years until his death.
Also, in 1636 Simon Willard was elected representative to the General Court and served till 1654 with the exception of three years. In 1636 Simon Willard was chosen representative to the General Court by the freemen of Concord in their first election. He was appointed to train the military company at once and continued with the General Court. He performed eminent services on committees usually as chairman. These committees tried to settle differences between towns, groups of inhabitants and boundaries between towns. He also helped lay out grants of land and was one of commissioner who supervised critical emergencies in Lancaster and other town. Under this title he also acted as a surveyor. In 1637, the people of Watertown asked Willard and two other men to lay out a plat of land in Concord for 50 to 60 families. In 1638, he proceeded in helping the people of Watertown to move. He also was on a committee on Mr. Gurling's land. In 1640, he was on a committee to assess the value of stock on the Colony rate of Lb 1,206. In 1641, Lt. Simon Willard and three others laid out boundies of the Colony, including Mrs. Marg Winthrop's 3000 acres of land granted to her after the death of her husband. On June 14 of 1642, Simon Willard was one of a committee appointed to levy a rate of Lb 800 upon the various towns of the colony. In 1644, Simon Willard was one of a committee to survey property on the Sudbury River. In 1645, he was on a committee to draw up certain bills for positive laws against lying, swearing, sabbath-breaking, and drunkenness. In May of 1649May, as a committee member he aided in drawing laws regarding the dividing shires and counties. In May of 1649, an order was passed by the Board of Deputies to regulate the practices of physicians, surgeons, midwifes and others requiring them to be ethical. However, Simon Willard was one of 7 deputies who voted against the measure. In May of1650, Captain Willard is chosen Comptroller for the session. In June of 1650, Captain Willard and Sergeant Blood were ordered to lay out the grant for Samuel Haugh. Again in October 1650, Captain Simon Willard was chosen Comptroller for the session where he and two other commissioners were asked to settle the boundaries of Sudbury and Watertown. In May of 1651, Captain Willard and Lt. Goodenow returned to help lay out 2000 acres to be laid out of the town of Watertown.
In 1651, Simon married Elizabeth Dunster. He, holding the position of town clerk, was chosen sergeant major of Middlesex Co. in 1653, was commander in chief of the Narragansett expedition in 1654 and 1655. Another son, Henry Willard, was born in 1655 in Concord, Middlesex, Mass. However, Elizabeth died within the year. His then married Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary Dunster. They had more children together. From his three wives, he had 17 children total. He had children over a period of 40 years, the first grandson, Samuel Edmunds, was older than eight of his aunts and uncles.
Simon Willard also assisted in missions, aiding Eliot and Gookin in their missions to the Indians. In 1641, a company was formed to trade furs with the Indians and they were the only ones legally able to trade with them. Simon Willard was a leader in this mission. They were to give one twentieth of the proceeds to the Treasury for their 3 year exclusive contract. He also was assigned to collect tributes from the Indians on Block Island and other tribes. The Indians were accepting of the whites and wanted to come to their towns and be accepted as equals. The people accepted this offer and the Indians requested the Simon Willard draw up a contract to state their civil and religious intentions.
In 1652 under the commission from the government of the Colony, the river Merrimack was explored by Captain Simon Willard and Captain Edward Johnson as far as lake Winnepseukee. In July 1657, the exclusive right of trading with the Indians on the Merrimack River was sold to Simon Willard, Thomas Henchman, ensign Thomas Wheeler and William Brenton for 25 lbs.
On June 25th of 1658, Major Simon Willard and Thomas Danforth are appointed by the court to audit the account of the treasurer of the county and present what they find to the next County Court in Cambridge. By October Sessions they determined that the trade with the Indians belonged to the Colony and that they had full authority to regulate the trade. Major Willard was appointed one who could trade with the Indians. In the May Sessions of 1659, it is ordered that Major Simon Willard and two others shall hereby are appointed a committee to draw up the order which may prevent deceit in making and dressing of cloths and present the same to the next session of the court. In November of 1659, Simon Willard was one of three judges of the county court to settle the controversy between the estate of Edward Goffe and his son, Samuel Goffe. During that same session, Simon Willard was one of those who made return of the bounds of the Indian plantation called Niticke. In 1659 he sold his Concord homestead and moved to Lancaster.Major Willards' name heads the list of those who petitioned the General Court in 1663 for independence from outside help and advice and the right to manage their own affairs. His son, Henry Willard continued to live at home after his marriage and he became an active, efficient assistant to his father in performing his multifarious duties as an overburdened public servant with many personal interests.
After 12 years, in 1671, he again removed to Groton and built a house and other buildings and enjoyed his fourth home. He was deputized to hold court in Hampton and Salisbury in 1666 and in Dover and York in 1675.
On the outbreak of the Indian horror known as King Philip's war in 1675 he performed valiant service. In the year 1676, 4000 Indians are in the field ready to attack the whites. King Philip and others killed some whites. The whites caught and executed the Indians; one of them was Philip's brother. This was the spark that brought on the war. The war started in the Plymouth Colony where Philip's father as chief had sold the land to the colonists. By this time, Major Willard was an old man but had been in command of the military in the area for 21 years. Now, with the large number of towns and many young brave men under his command he became active. He endured the hardships and discomforts and dangers of a soldier on the frontier. The town of Brookfield was attacked and burned entirely except one house containing the residents of the town. They would have been killed if it had not been for Major Willard and his force arriving from Groton. Riding with his father's troops to relieve Brookfield they escaped an ambush. He was not hurt but his horse was killed. At this time Major Willard and his family were at Groton. While he was away on military duty, the Indians burned his home. The town of Groton was burned except for 6 fortified homes. 65 dwellings were burned. Major Willard came with forces from Concord to rescue the survivors. The town of Lancaster was burned except for the fortified home of Cyprian Steven's which was fortified and not made of wood. Cyprian Stevens was married to one of Simon Willard's daughters. But Simon Willard went on in his service, directing movements of troops and relief expeditions and bearing untold hardship and strains; he was 71 years old.
Two years after the marriage of Simon’s son, Henry Willard to Mary Lakin in 1674 in Groton, Mass, Simon passed away on April 24, 1676. The month after his home was burned in Groton he was in Charleston, probably resting from his tremendous labors when he caught an " epidemic" cold and died, along with 600 others in the colony. Simon died with his family surrounding him. At his funeral were several hundred soldiers consisting of 3 companies under command of Capt. Sill, Cutler and Holbrook and three companies of horses under command of Captains Brattle, Prentice and Henchman. He would be recorded in history and even remembered in England. A wall plaque records Simon Willard, who went to America and founded the city of Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony in a 14th Century Church in Kent, England. After the burning of Henry father's mansion by Indians both families moved to Charlestown. Simon dealt liberally with his children and gave Henry a fourth of his estate in his death.By 1676 the Indians had been practically been exterminated. The Indian, King Philip, was shot by his own men. Many chiefs were executed and many warriors were sold in slavery to the West Indies. Henry remained in the colonies until his death in 1726. Henry built a commodious residence. Henry had seven children by each of his two wives. When he died, he left a good estate and a large heritage of children. He had resided a while in Groton but spent the better part of his life in Lancaster where he died of middle age.
Cynthiaduval1026added this on 7 Mar 2008from ancestry.com
Richard Willardfrom Willard Genealogy by Joseph Willard Richard Willard of Brenchley, yeoman, made his will September 18,1558 and it was proved 24 October following. His sons were Robert, Alexander, George, Richard, Andrew, Symon, Thomas and William and daughters Alice and Agnes.Their order is not known but it is presumed that they were born in the order as listed in the will.
From NEW ENGLAND FAMILIES by William Richard Cutter Richard Willard to whom the line is traced, grandfather of the American immigrant was a yeoman at Branchly, England, where he died leaving a will dated September 18,1658, proved October 24, 1658. He had children whose names are in the book and one genealogy line is followed.
from ancestry.com
Mother: Johanna _____ 1474 of Brenchley, Kent, England
Marriage: Elizabeth _____ Born about 1495 Died after 1538 of Brenchley, Kent, England
Death: 18 September 1558 Brenchley, Kent, England
Children: Son: Simon Thomas Willard 1530-1584
Simon Birth about 1530 Brenchley, Kent, England
Simon Marriage: to Joan Elizabeth Road 8 October 1556 Horsmondon, Kent, England
Simon Death: 26 February 1584 Goudhurst, Kent, England
from Ancestry.com
Richard WILLARD was born about 1500 in Brenchley, Kent, England. He died on 18 September 1558 in Brenchley, Kent, England. He was a Yeoman of Brenchley, Kent and made a will dated on 18 September 1558 and proved 24 October 1558 . He names 8 sons and 2 daughters.
The 10 known children of Richard1 Willard and an unknown spouse were as follows:
i. Symon2 Willarde, married Elizabeth (--?--).
ii. Robert Willard.
iii. Alexander Willard.
iv. George Willard.
v. Richard Willard.
vi. Andrew Willard.
vii. Thomas Willard.
viii. William Willard.
ix. Alice Willard.
x. Agnes Willard.
Descendants of Richard and Elizabeth include the Willard Clock makers, Simon Willard of Massachusetts was a magistrate during the Salem Witch Trials. Samuel Willard was the Reverend of the Old South Church in Boston, he baptized Benjamin Franklin and he spoke out against the Salem Witch Trials. Yet another descendant, John Willard, was accused and hung as a witch during those very trials.
Richard WILLARD and ELIZABETH were married about 1524 in Brenchley, Kent, England.
from ancestry.com
Willard/ Woolard Family History: 1470-1655The Willard/ Woolard Surname dates back to the 11 century and is considered to have a Teutonic origin. The surname is from Norman- Saxon blood where ancient ancestors from the region of Western Europe (Modern Northern France) lived. The oldest Willard in our line dates back to 1470 in Kent, England. His name is William Willard. Kent, England was well known for the hop, iron, and cloth industries, which provided the Kent landscape with two of the most prominent landmarks, the coast houses used for drying hops and the welding hall houses of the Kent ironmasters and cloth manufacturers. William Willard’s son was a yeoman named Richard Willard, born in 1500, who married Elizabeth. His sons were Robert, Alexander, George, Richard, Andrew, Symon, Thomas and William and daughters Alice and Agnes. In a town called Horsmonden, Kent, England was born to Richard and Elizabeth, Simon Willard. A neat, square green known as the Heath forms the centre of the Horsmonden village, set among pastures and orchards. Simon was born in 1530 in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Like his father, he too was a yeoman.
Simon married Elizabeth Waterman in 1532 in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Goudhurst is a parish in Kent England that is centered around St. Mary’s church. He was thirty and she was twenty-eight when they married. His father, Richard, made a will on September 18, 1558. It is possible that he was sickly and soon died after this date. To the union of Simon and Elizabeth was given a son named, Richard Willard. They named the son in honor of Simon’s deceased father. On February 6, 1563 Richard Willard was born in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Unfortunately, his parents Elizabeth and Simon would die while he was still a young boy. He just turned one when his father died on February 26 1584 and four when his mother died.
Richard Willard, who had been born in 1563, was raised by someone other than his parents. He was married in Westgate, Kent, England on September 23, 1601 to Margery Humphrie of Horsmonden, Kent, England. Richard was eighteen and Margery was twenty-nine. They had four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Margery, and Catherine, and a son named Richard. They gave birth to Simon Willard, named after his grandfather, on April 7, 1605 in Horsmonden, Kent, England. Simon’s mother, Margery, died when he was three on December 12, 1608. Simon’s father remarried to a woman named Joan. They had a son named George. Eight years later, Richard Willard died on February 20, 1616 leaving his eleven-year-old boy, Simon Willard, exposed to the changing word and times. However, eight days before his death, the yeoman made a will which bequeathed to the poor of Horsemonden, to his 2nd wife Joan, to her son Francis Morebread to his son George Willard 6 silver spoons and a silver and gilt cup, to be delivered to him after his mother's death. To his four daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Margery and Catherine, his household stuff excepting that bequeathed to his wife. To his son Richard Willard the income from certain lands, to his son Simon Willard all the rest of his lands when becomes of age. He directs that Simon be placed with some honest man where may learn some good trade and be instructed. Richard Willard was to get land purchased of Ecenden and Paynter. In the case of Simon’s death before reaching maturity, George was to have the lands left to him. Elizabeth a sum of money. To his daughters Margerie and Catherine a barn and orchard.Simon Willard, born in 1601, grew up without his parents, under the direction of an unknown man. At that time Horsmonden was the most important gunmaking site in Britain. He was taught a trade, just like his father had wished. He likely served in the military, because he was called the Kentish Soldier by historian Edward Johnson. He married a girl named Mary Sharpe in England. In May of 1634, he voyaged with his wife, children, sister Margerie, and her husband Captain Dolor Davis to the New World. They are believed to have come to America on one of Winthrop’s ships. Watching the persecution of other Puritans by Bishop Laud influenced his decision to leave. It was difficult to leave England as the church, locally called St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, and the government demanded allegiance to church and country before you could embark.
They arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. He started trading with the Indians buying and exporting furs. His first wife, Mary Sharpe died in America. While in America, one of his sons, named Rev. Samuel Willard, studied witchcraft for twenty-years prior to the Salem Witch trials and took a stance against the Rev. Cotton Mather. The fourth of August 1634, Simon had a grant of land at Cambridge where he stayed for a year. In 1635, a Rev. Peter Bulkeley came to the colony and Simon Willard and he became very close. On Sept 5, 1635 a grant was made to Mr. Buckley and Mr. Willard of thirty six square miles of land where Concord is today. Simon Willard in his trade with the Indians saw it as a rich area for farming. About 12 families were to move to this location through the tangle of brush and swamps. Mr. Willard led the group. The hardships endured were great. After getting there they bought the land from the Indians paying in trade goods. Mr. Willard was one of the three men who met with the Indians and made the trade. By the 25th of August 1635 he sold the property and with others founded the plantation of Concord, the name meaning the home for aging men. They bought the land from Indians in 1636 and remained friends for many years.
Shortly after Willard founded the town of Concord, John Winthrop wanted to build a fortification at the mouth of the Connecticut river and sent 20 men under the direction of Gibbons and Willard to build a fortification. This was finished in December. Immediately after the organization of the town, Willard was made clerk of the writs and continued for 19 years through annual elections. In this position, he had authority to grant summons and attachments in all civil actions, summon witnesses and take bond etc.
He was granted a military commission in Concord as lieutenant-commandant in March 1637. His military experience continued for 40 years until his death.
Also, in 1636 Simon Willard was elected representative to the General Court and served till 1654 with the exception of three years. In 1636 Simon Willard was chosen representative to the General Court by the freemen of Concord in their first election. He was appointed to train the military company at once and continued with the General Court. He performed eminent services on committees usually as chairman. These committees tried to settle differences between towns, groups of inhabitants and boundaries between towns. He also helped lay out grants of land and was one of commissioner who supervised critical emergencies in Lancaster and other town. Under this title he also acted as a surveyor. In 1637, the people of Watertown asked Willard and two other men to lay out a plat of land in Concord for 50 to 60 families. In 1638, he proceeded in helping the people of Watertown to move. He also was on a committee on Mr. Gurling's land. In 1640, he was on a committee to assess the value of stock on the Colony rate of Lb 1,206. In 1641, Lt. Simon Willard and three others laid out boundies of the Colony, including Mrs. Marg Winthrop's 3000 acres of land granted to her after the death of her husband. On June 14 of 1642, Simon Willard was one of a committee appointed to levy a rate of Lb 800 upon the various towns of the colony. In 1644, Simon Willard was one of a committee to survey property on the Sudbury River. In 1645, he was on a committee to draw up certain bills for positive laws against lying, swearing, sabbath-breaking, and drunkenness. In May of 1649May, as a committee member he aided in drawing laws regarding the dividing shires and counties. In May of 1649, an order was passed by the Board of Deputies to regulate the practices of physicians, surgeons, midwifes and others requiring them to be ethical. However, Simon Willard was one of 7 deputies who voted against the measure. In May of1650, Captain Willard is chosen Comptroller for the session. In June of 1650, Captain Willard and Sergeant Blood were ordered to lay out the grant for Samuel Haugh. Again in October 1650, Captain Simon Willard was chosen Comptroller for the session where he and two other commissioners were asked to settle the boundaries of Sudbury and Watertown. In May of 1651, Captain Willard and Lt. Goodenow returned to help lay out 2000 acres to be laid out of the town of Watertown.
In 1651, Simon married Elizabeth Dunster. He, holding the position of town clerk, was chosen sergeant major of Middlesex Co. in 1653, was commander in chief of the Narragansett expedition in 1654 and 1655. Another son, Henry Willard, was born in 1655 in Concord, Middlesex, Mass. However, Elizabeth died within the year. His then married Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary Dunster. They had more children together. From his three wives, he had 17 children total. He had children over a period of 40 years, the first grandson, Samuel Edmunds, was older than eight of his aunts and uncles.
Simon Willard also assisted in missions, aiding Eliot and Gookin in their missions to the Indians. In 1641, a company was formed to trade furs with the Indians and they were the only ones legally able to trade with them. Simon Willard was a leader in this mission. They were to give one twentieth of the proceeds to the Treasury for their 3 year exclusive contract. He also was assigned to collect tributes from the Indians on Block Island and other tribes. The Indians were accepting of the whites and wanted to come to their towns and be accepted as equals. The people accepted this offer and the Indians requested the Simon Willard draw up a contract to state their civil and religious intentions.
In 1652 under the commission from the government of the Colony, the river Merrimack was explored by Captain Simon Willard and Captain Edward Johnson as far as lake Winnepseukee. In July 1657, the exclusive right of trading with the Indians on the Merrimack River was sold to Simon Willard, Thomas Henchman, ensign Thomas Wheeler and William Brenton for 25 lbs.
On June 25th of 1658, Major Simon Willard and Thomas Danforth are appointed by the court to audit the account of the treasurer of the county and present what they find to the next County Court in Cambridge. By October Sessions they determined that the trade with the Indians belonged to the Colony and that they had full authority to regulate the trade. Major Willard was appointed one who could trade with the Indians. In the May Sessions of 1659, it is ordered that Major Simon Willard and two others shall hereby are appointed a committee to draw up the order which may prevent deceit in making and dressing of cloths and present the same to the next session of the court. In November of 1659, Simon Willard was one of three judges of the county court to settle the controversy between the estate of Edward Goffe and his son, Samuel Goffe. During that same session, Simon Willard was one of those who made return of the bounds of the Indian plantation called Niticke. In 1659 he sold his Concord homestead and moved to Lancaster.Major Willards' name heads the list of those who petitioned the General Court in 1663 for independence from outside help and advice and the right to manage their own affairs. His son, Henry Willard continued to live at home after his marriage and he became an active, efficient assistant to his father in performing his multifarious duties as an overburdened public servant with many personal interests.
After 12 years, in 1671, he again removed to Groton and built a house and other buildings and enjoyed his fourth home. He was deputized to hold court in Hampton and Salisbury in 1666 and in Dover and York in 1675.
On the outbreak of the Indian horror known as King Philip's war in 1675 he performed valiant service. In the year 1676, 4000 Indians are in the field ready to attack the whites. King Philip and others killed some whites. The whites caught and executed the Indians; one of them was Philip's brother. This was the spark that brought on the war. The war started in the Plymouth Colony where Philip's father as chief had sold the land to the colonists. By this time, Major Willard was an old man but had been in command of the military in the area for 21 years. Now, with the large number of towns and many young brave men under his command he became active. He endured the hardships and discomforts and dangers of a soldier on the frontier. The town of Brookfield was attacked and burned entirely except one house containing the residents of the town. They would have been killed if it had not been for Major Willard and his force arriving from Groton. Riding with his father's troops to relieve Brookfield they escaped an ambush. He was not hurt but his horse was killed. At this time Major Willard and his family were at Groton. While he was away on military duty, the Indians burned his home. The town of Groton was burned except for 6 fortified homes. 65 dwellings were burned. Major Willard came with forces from Concord to rescue the survivors. The town of Lancaster was burned except for the fortified home of Cyprian Steven's which was fortified and not made of wood. Cyprian Stevens was married to one of Simon Willard's daughters. But Simon Willard went on in his service, directing movements of troops and relief expeditions and bearing untold hardship and strains; he was 71 years old.
Two years after the marriage of Simon’s son, Henry Willard to Mary Lakin in 1674 in Groton, Mass, Simon passed away on April 24, 1676. The month after his home was burned in Groton he was in Charleston, probably resting from his tremendous labors when he caught an " epidemic" cold and died, along with 600 others in the colony. Simon died with his family surrounding him. At his funeral were several hundred soldiers consisting of 3 companies under command of Capt. Sill, Cutler and Holbrook and three companies of horses under command of Captains Brattle, Prentice and Henchman. He would be recorded in history and even remembered in England. A wall plaque records Simon Willard, who went to America and founded the city of Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony in a 14th Century Church in Kent, England. After the burning of Henry father's mansion by Indians both families moved to Charlestown. Simon dealt liberally with his children and gave Henry a fourth of his estate in his death.By 1676 the Indians had been practically been exterminated. The Indian, King Philip, was shot by his own men. Many chiefs were executed and many warriors were sold in slavery to the West Indies. Henry remained in the colonies until his death in 1726. Henry built a commodious residence. Henry had seven children by each of his two wives. When he died, he left a good estate and a large heritage of children. He had resided a while in Groton but spent the better part of his life in Lancaster where he died of middle age.
Cynthiaduval1026added this on 7 Mar 2008from ancestry.com
Richard Willardfrom Willard Genealogy by Joseph Willard Richard Willard of Brenchley, yeoman, made his will September 18,1558 and it was proved 24 October following. His sons were Robert, Alexander, George, Richard, Andrew, Symon, Thomas and William and daughters Alice and Agnes.Their order is not known but it is presumed that they were born in the order as listed in the will.
From NEW ENGLAND FAMILIES by William Richard Cutter Richard Willard to whom the line is traced, grandfather of the American immigrant was a yeoman at Branchly, England, where he died leaving a will dated September 18,1658, proved October 24, 1658. He had children whose names are in the book and one genealogy line is followed.
from ancestry.com
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