Mentioned in his father's will "Joseph Metcalf.
Probate Records of Essex Vol. II:18-19
THE CHICKERING-ALLEYNE FAMILY
OF DEDHAM
IN our New England towns it often happens, as years go on, that some family which has been prominent, perhaps from the beginning, dies out. The lands which they owned so long, the houses which they built, still remain; but their family name is no longer in the tax list or in the roll of those who vote at town-meeting. You can probably call to mind several families of this kind. Mr. Stimson, in his story called King Noanett (the scene of which is laid in this vicinity), mentions by name, as well-known among the earliest settlers here, Edward Alleyne and Francis Chickering. He says they seemed to be at the head of affairs in Dedham, and took the lead in the persecution of a poor Quaker woman who had been whipped out of Boston, and whom the hero of the story rescues from like treatment here. He takes her hastily away, up the river, in his own boat. The family about which I desire to speak combines these two old Dedhain names. Francis Chickering and Edward Alleyne are worthy of having their better qualities made more prominent. They were among the first to come here from England, Edward Alleyne in 1635 and Francis Chickering and his brother Henry a little later. The Chickerings came from the neighbourhood of Wrentham in Suffolk, just across the border of Norfolk, and near the North Sea. Several of our early settlers were baptized or married in the 'Wrentham Church, which still stands, its lofty tower overlooking a wide prospect of land and ocean. The rector of this church was John Phillips, who came with Francis Chickering to Dedham in 1638, but in 1641 wcnt back and became one of the Assembly of Divines at Westrninster.
HENRY CHICKERING, born in 156o, and his five suns held land in Ringsfield, Bramfield, Westleton, and Henstead, as well as Wrentham. Francis was the executor of his father's will in 1627. The Chickerings are constantly mentioned in the early records of Dedham. They were the first delegates from this town to the General Court in Boston, along with Edward Alleyne. Henry Chickering acted as first deacon of the church. The town records say: The Church at Dedham was without a deacon for. eleven years. This had been delayed on account of brother Chickcring's relation and affection to >Ir. Phillips in England. In 1650, June 23d, Brother Henry Chickering and Nathan Aldis were called to that office and ordained the next Sabbath. Chickering remained deacon as long as he lived. He was always the devoted friend and helper of Rev. John Allin, the first minister, who had come from the same town. Henry Chickering's only son married the stepdaughter of Mr. Allin, Elizabeth Hackburn, whose widowed mother had been the wife of Governor Thomas Dudley, and bore him a son when he was seventy years old. After the Governor's death, the widow took for her third husband Rev. Mr. Allin himself, November 8, 1653, and her son Joseph Dudley was brought up here in Dedham, and became the second Governor Dudley. Thus John Chickering's wife was the step-daughter both of Governor Dudley and Rev. Mr. Allin. They moved to Charlestown, where the records say: John Chickering and his wife Elizabeth were received into the Church here in 1664.
Doctor Chickering was a useful and honoured physician in Charlestown for many years and there is a much-worn altar tomb to his memory in the oldest cemetery there, near the monument erected later to John Harvard. I suppose the main reason why John Chickering went to Charlestown was that his uncle Francis owned land and a house in Charlestown, perhaps before he came to Dedhnm, and Dr. John acquired this property of his uncle's, which lay in the part of Charlcstown near to Cambridge and had on it a wharf on the river opposite Boston. Francis Chickering was an Ensign in the English army and became in 1642 one of the earliest zncnibers of the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company. His wife was a sister of Rev. John Fiske, minister at Wenhatn. Both the Chickerings were much interested in the founding of thc first school in Dedhan in 1642. Francis was one of the first feoffee's, or trustees, and Henry left a legacy for it. Francis died suddenly in 1658 when he had been here twenty-one years. He left no will, but the inventory of his estate, which fills ten pages in the large folio record book in the Suffolk Registry of Probate, Boston, shows that he was a very prosperous man. He had a house and land in Dcdham, near the river, and, besidcs his property in Charlestown, he still owned an English estate at Henstead. He had no son who lived to grow up, but he left five daughters who married and have many descendants. Henry Chickering, who had no son except Dr. John, also bas many descendants in the fcmale line now living. He remained a resident of Dedham for thirty-four years, dying in 1671. His Will, which can be seen in Boston, is worth reading. He also left property in England.
The Chickerings were large landholders here. Rev. Dr. Lamson, an accurate historian, says: Rev. John Allin owned more land in Dedhamn than any other man except. Henry Chickering. The holdings of the Chickering family amounted to as much as a thousand acres. Part of this Chickering land lay in what is now called Dover. In his will Henry C. left a legacy to his nephew, whom he calls my kinsman Nathaniel Chickering, now living with me, and this Nathaniel, the son of Simon, became the ancestor of all the Chickerings afterwards living in Dedham and Dover.
A good deal more might be said about the early Chickerings, but this is enough to show that the ancestors of the Jabez Chickering who married Dorothy Deborah Alleyne are worthy of esteem. He himself was the son of Rev. Jabez Chickering, the second minister of the South parish, now called Norwood. This Jabez was born in Dover, November 7, 1753. His parents were Joseph Chickering and Rebecca Newell. He was gsaduated at Harvard College in 1774 and became assistant to Rev. Thomas Balch, the first minister of Norwood. Not long afterwards he married Hannah Balch, the daughter of Rev. Thomas, whom he succeeded in the parish, living there as minister for thirty years, until his death in 1812.
LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 3, p.105 Harris, Martin Henderson, a pioneer and missionary, was born Sept. 29, 1820, near Mehoopany, Wyoming county, Pa., the son of Emer Harris and Debora Lott.
He [p.106] was a nephew of Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and a descendant of Thomas Harris, companion in exile of Roger Williams, and one of the founders of Providence, R. I. His parents being members of the Church, Martin was baptized in September, 1842, by Milton Stow, near Nauvoo, Ill. While a youth he served as a guard in Nauvoo to protect Joseph the Prophet against surprises by mobs. He also served in the Nauvoo Legion and witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the Nauvoo Temple. After being driven with the Saints from Nauvoo in 1846, he resided temporarily in St. Louis, Mo., until 1850, when he went to Kanesville, Iowa, and thence crossed the plains to Utah in Wm. Snow's company, which arrived in Salt Lake City, Sept. 23, 1850. He went to Ogden that fall and spent the winter in the so-called Brown's Fort. In 1851 he commenced farming at Harrisville, built a house and fenced some land, his being the first house built west of Four-Mile creek, and the only house which remained standing in that neighborhood during "the move," in consequence of which the Ward, when organized some years afterwards, was named Harrisville after him. Bro. Harris soon became known as a horticulturist and planted trees from many climes. He was president of the first co-operative store in Ogden, served as road commissioner of Weber county eleven years and assisted in locating most of the highways of that county. Bro. Harris was ordained a Seventy Sept. 5, 1853, by Luman A. Shurtliff, and was secretary for many years of the 38th quorum of Seventy. In the summer of 1863 he was appointed presiding Elder of the Eighth ecclesiastical district (later Harrisville). When the so-called Eighth District was organized with a president Nov. 15, 1863, he was set apart as first counselor to Luman A. Shurtliff. He taught the first school in the Harrisville district in his own house without pay, and acted as the first superintendent of the district Sunday school when that was organized in May, 1865; he held that position till Sept. 13, 1868. He acted as district or Ward clerk for many years and culled data from private records and other sources in compiling the Harrisville Ward history for 25 years, beginning with 1850. He was the first missionary called from the district or Ward to Salmon river, and during the move in 1858 he went South. He was also fifer in the first military band of Weber county. In 1877 he filled a one year's mission to the Eastern States. On account of sickness he returned, and never fully recovered. He died Feb. 14, 1889, of palsy at Harrisville. Bro. Harris married Georgiana Maria Aldous Jan. 18, 1855; she died Oct. 30, 1858, leaving a son Emer, born August 6, 1856. Bro. Harris married Louisa Sargent April 3, 1859, by whom he had six children, namely, Leander S., born April 20, 1860; Louisa G., born March 4, 1862; Nathan J., born March 29, 1864; Martin D., born May 4, 1856; Louisa P., born May 30, 1868, and Ida E., born Nov. 27, 1875.
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH
August, 1842
Aug.--Wednesday. 17--I walked out into the woods, for exercise, in company with Brother Derby, where we were accidentally discovered by a young man; we asked him various questions concerning the public feeling, and situation of matters around, to all of which he answered promptly; on being requested not to make it known where we were, he promised faithfully he would not, and said time would tell whether he did or not,
(Young man was M. H. Harris.)
NEWSPAPER CLIPPING:
DEATH OF A PIONEER
The Founder of Harrisville Laid to Rest.
Martin H. Harris died February 14th, 1889, at Harrisville, of general debility. He was born Sept. 29th, 1820, in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, being 68 years, 4 months and 16 days old at the time of his demise. The deceased was the son of Emer Harris and a nephew of Martin Harris, one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon. He early identified himself with the Church. The progenitors of the Harris family came at a very early day from England, settling in Providence, Rhode Island. His grandfather moved to the town of Palmyra, Wayne County, New York, being among the first of the white race who settled there. Emer Harris, father of the deceased, died at Logan, Cache County, Utah, November 28th, 1869, at the age of 83 years.
Brother Martin has led an eventful life. When a young man he guarded the house of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, and was on duty in the Legion when the corner-stone of the Nauvoo temple was laid. On August 17, 1842, while traveling through the woods he discovered the Prophet Joseph in hiding from his enemies, mention of which is made by Joseph in his history. He came to Weber County, Utah, in 1850, and in 1851 he settled in Harrisville, being the first settler north of Four-mile Creek. Harrisville derived its name from him. In 1855 he married Georgianna, daughter of Robert and Mary Aldous, who now reside in Huntsville. She died in 1858, leaving one child, Emer, who now resides in Cache County. In 1859 he married his present wife, Louisa Sargent, and by her has had six children, three boys and three girls. All were present at their father's death except the oldest daughter, who lives in Idaho. In the spring of 1876 he planted a grove of 100 shade trees in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of our nation's freedom. These stand to this day as a lasting memento of his love of home and country.
The history of Brother Harris may be said to be the history of Harrisville, for he has identified himself with all her public enterprises, being the first to open his house for a school, which he taught gratuitously. Some of our prominent young men were students therein.
Space will not permit me to name all the conditions in which he has been a public benefactor. It is only proper to say that he was always foremost in all public movements, was very industrious and frugal, and gathered property around him which enabled him to leave his family comfortably provided for. He was always willing to lend a. helping band to the needy, and as a Latter-day Saint he was strictly scrupulous in the payment of his tithing and donations.
He has been a subscriber to the Deseret News, Juvenile Instructor, the Ogden Junction (now The Standard) and other works from their publication, and has been the first to support all home industries. Sister Harris wears a silk dress every part of which was raised and manufactured by her own hands.
He was regarded as one of God s noblemen--an honest man--and at his death he requested that all outward display at his funeral should be plain and in harmony with his Pioneer life.
The funeral services were held at Harrisville East schoolhouse, presided over by Bishop P. G. Taylor. The choir rendered appropriate hymns. The speakers, Bishop P. G. Taylor, President L. W. Shurtliff, Patriarch Joseph Taylor, William W. Dixon, and High Counselor D. B. Rawson dwelt upon their early associations with the deceased and his many virtues. Elder Joseph Perry dwelt on the condition of humanity here and hereafter.
His wife, four sons, two daughters, and two adopted children and three brothers were present. The assembled people having viewed the remains, a large cortege followed them to Ogden Cemetery, where they were laid by the side of his dear wife Georgianna to rest in peace.
Deseret News please copy. P. L. (Feb. 17, 1889)
A Patriarchal Blessing by Emer Harris, Patriarch, upon the head of Martin H. Harris No. 118, recorded in book A, page 140. William Nattale, recorder, Provo City.
Provo City, June 24, 1855
A blessing by Emer Harris, Patriarch, upon the head of Martin H. Harris, son of Emer and Deborah Harris, born Sept. 29, 1820, Windham, Luzern County, Pennsylvania, America.
My son Martin H. I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and place upon you a fathers blessing, thou art a descendant of Ephraim, the son of Joseph which was sold into Egypt by his brethern, therefore thou art a legal heir to the Priesthood, which hath come down through the lineage of thy fathers even into thee, thou shalt bear of the Priesthood with honors unto thyself and confer it upon thy posterity after thee, and also thou art entitled to the blessings conferred upon Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for thy posterity shalt become numerous on the earth, and the fruits of the earth shall be given unto you until you shall be satisfied therewith. Missionary labors will be required at thy hand and thou shalt have strength and wisdom to perform all things whatsoever shall be required of thee, whether at home or abroad and thy days shall be lengthened out as long as thou shalt desire it. Thou shalt live to see the ministration of Angels, and converse with them face to face; feat not my son but be strong and thou shalt be able to overcome all difficulties and all trials, and shall rejoice in the Zion of God; and inasmuch as thou art faithful, all these blessings shall be made sure unto you and no power of earth and hell shall be able to arrest them from you, and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood invested in me, I seal this a fathers blessing upon you, and in the name of Jesus Christ I seal thee up unto eternal lives.
Even so Amen.
Also see notes on Ethel Fern Oram.
CENSUS: Age 39, laborer, wife Luisa age 18, Emer M 3, Leander 3 months.
Records of Ruby Harris Oram
Provo City June 24, 1855
A blessing by Emer Harris, Patriarch upon the head of Georgianna Maria Harris, daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Aldews, born August 5, 1838, Fenstanton, Hantingdowshire, England.
My daugher Georgianna Maria I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, and confer upon you a fathers blessing, thou art of the blood and lineage of Ephraim, and are entitled to the Holy Priesthood in connection with thy companion, which hath come down through the lineage of thy fathers even with thee, thou art also entitled to the blessings conferred upon Sarah of old which is a numerous posterity, and the fruits of the earth shall be given unto thee, and thou shall rejoice in the generations yet to come; thou shalt have some trials and difficulties to encounter but fear not my daughter, but be strong in the Lord, and thou shalt be able to overcome them all, and be made to rejoice in the God of your salvation; thou art young now, therefore do not understand all principles, but thou shall understand them hereafter inasmuch as thou shalt seek it with all thy heart; thou shalt have the ministration of angels and thou shall have power to lay thy hands upon the sick of thine own family and they shall be arrested from the power of the destroyer in the absence of the other authority. Great blessings are in store for thee, more than can now be enumerated; and all these blessings shall be made rare unto you ; and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood I seal this a fathers blessing upon you, and in the name of Jesus Christ I seal you up unto eternal lives,
Even so Amen.
Birth: of Thorpe Hesley
LUKE PARKIN and ANN HANCOCK
Luke Parkin was christened in the church at Wentworth, near Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 29 January 1775. His family's residence was Thorpe Hesley, where the father was a nailer and later a grocer.
In 1787, according to the records of the Sheffield Cutlers' Company, Luke was apprenticed to George Meller to learn the cutler's trade. Cutlery made in the Sheffield area has long been renowned. Luke was twelve years old when he began his apprenticeship, the customary age for Sheffield cutlers to start. This meant moving from his parents' home to that of his master. The master was required to keep his apprentice under his rule, government, instruction, and correction within his own house and among his own family where he dwells. Generally the master provided meat, drink, washing, lodging and apparel. Standard clothing consisted of coat, waistcoat, breeches, hat, shirt, stockings, handkerchiefs, and shoes, all usually of the most common sort. Luke's master probably provided him some time to attend school, though likely not much.
After finishing his sojourn with the Meller family Luke married Ann Hancock, this on 29 December 1796 at Sheffield. They made their residence in Sheffield, where the christenings of their first few children appear, Luke being listed as a cutler. The Cutlers' Company records show that he became a Freeman in 1800.
In 1806 or 1807 Luke and Ann packed up their family and moved many miles south to Boston, Lincolnshire, where Luke continued his trade as a cutler. Several more children were born at Boston.
From 1815 a document has been found (West Riding of Yorkshire, Registry of Deeds) which Luke signed, a document dealing with a still unsettled portion of the estate of his uncle, Samuel Parkin, who had died in 1782. Luke is identified as Luke Parkin of Boston in the County of Lincoln Cutler (eldest Son and Heir at Law of Jonathan Parkin late of Thorp Hesley in the Parish of Wath in the County of York Grocer deceased).
In the 1842/3 directory of Lincolnshire Luke Parkin is listed as a gun maker and cutler, at Boston, living on High Street.
Ann passed away 22 Apr 1844, her age given as sixty-four, at the family home on High Street, the cause of death being Dropsy. After that Luke and his unmarried daughter, Sarah, who was deaf and dumb, moved into the home of his daughter Jane and her husband Peter Pinder. They lived in Skirbeck, a suburb of Boston. The 1851 census finds them there, Luke called a retired gunsmith.
Luke had prepared his will 7 September 1848. He died 2 August 1851 of Bronchitis. His will:
This is the last Will and Testament of me Luke Parkin of Skirbeck in the County of Lincoln Gentleman I give and bequeath unto my Grandson James Jameson my Silver Watch I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary the Wife of Robert Aldous the Feather Bed and Mattress on which I usually sleep and from and after the decease of my daughter Sarah Parkin I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jemima the wife of James Jamison the Feather Bed, Mattress and Chest of Drawers now used by my said daughter Sarah Parkin And I give devise and bequeath unto my friends James Walker of Kings Lynn in the County of Norfolk Dealer in Earthenware and Joseph Wilkinson of Grimesthorpe in the County of York Shear Maker All and singular my Real and Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever subject nevertheless to the specific bequeasts hereinbefore contained. To hold the same . . . upon Trust that they and the survivors of them . . . do pay in the first place all my just debts funeral and testamentary expences and the expences of proving this my Will . . . do from and out of the rents of my said Real Estate pay to my daughter Sarah Parkin the sum of twelve shillings weekly and every week during her natural life and after payment thereof and of the Interest from time to time to become due in respect of a sum of Three hundred and fifty Pounds advanced to me on mortgage by my Son in law Henry Simon Hurren and also of the necessary repairs and Insurance of and other outgoings incidental to my said Real Estate Upon Trust to allow the residue (if any) of the said Rents to accumulate during the lifetime of my said daughter Sarah and to invest such residue and accumulations as and when the same shall be received on Government Real or other goods and sufficient security And from and immediately after the decease of my said daughter Sarah Then . . . my said Trustees or the Survivors
.... do and shall sell and dispose of all my said Real Estate either together or in parcels by public auction or by private Contract as to them or him shall seem expedient for the most money and best price that can be reasonably had.
Upon Trust to pay thereout the said Mortgage debt of Three hun-dred and fifty Pounds and the Interest due thereon to the said Henry Simon Hurren and also all expenses attending the said Sale or Sales And do and shall pay apply and divide the residue of the said monies to arise from such sale as also the residue of my said trust moneys and the accumulations thereof unto and equally between and amongst my Children the said Jemima Jamison the said Mary Aldous, Eliza the wife of the said Henry Simon Hurren and Jane the wife of Peter Pinder share and share alike to whom respectively I hereby give and bequeath the same And I do hereby declare my wish to be that my said daughter Sarah should during her life continue to reside and board and lodge with my said Daughter Jane Pindar . . . And I do hereby nominate and appoint the said James Walker and Joseph Wilkinson Trustees and Executors of this my Will. . . I the said Luke Parkin have . . . set my hand this seventh day of September One thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
The mark of Luke Parkin
On the twenty seventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and fifty one James Walker one of the Executors within named was duly sworn and also make oath that the whole of the Personal Estate and Effects of the deceased at the time of his death did not amount in value to the sum of Twenty Pounds. Testator died on the second day of August 1851
In his will Luke calls one daughter Jemima--or at least the scribe wrote it that way. She is called Jesmina at her christening and as a witness to her sister Mary Anne's marriage. Mary Anne called her Josie.
Sarah, who was forty-eight years old when her father died, must -have lived on for several years. Luke's daughter Mary Anne moved to far away America and settled in Utah; her granddaughter, Risha, later recalled being told that Mary Anne received five hundred dolTars in inheritance money from England, which according to Luke's will, she would receive after Sarah's death. A neighbor stole the money and hid it in his hay. Though Luke's personal effects were worth little, according to the above document, his real estate holdings were apparently rather extensive.
of Boston
DEATH: age 64
Elizabeth Backhouse is mentioned in the will of Robert Backhouse as "My daughter Elizabeth the wife of Thomas Page House Carpenter of Kelsale," so her parentage is sure.
Jonathan Parkin and Ann Morley were married in 1771 at their parish church, Wath-upon-Dearne, Yorkshire, England. They made their home in Jonathan's chapelry, Wentworth, where they lived in the hamlet of Thorpe Hesley. Thorpe Hesley is located where the chapelry of Wentworth and the parishes of Ecclesfield and Rotherham meet, causing some confusion in records.
To Jonathan and Ann came five children. The christening entries of two of these are indeed unusual in the amount of detail they contain. Following are all five (recorded at Wentworth), the first three giving the average amount of information in parish registers:
1772 Apr 6 Lucy daughter of Jonathan Parkin.
1773 Aug 15 Charlotte daughter of Jonathan Parkin.
1775 Jan 29 Luke son of Jonathan Parkin.
1777 May 25 William son of Jonathan Parkin Nailor of Thorp 3rd son of Joseph Parkin of same place & Ann his wife.
1780 May 26 Ann 3rd daughter of Jonathan Parkin Nailor of Thorp 3rd son of Joseph Parkin Nailer of Thorpfieldside & Ann his wife and Ann daughter of Win. Moozely
[or Morley] mason of Swinton and Catherine his wife.
Baby Ann died in 1782. Her burial entry:
1782 Oct 30 Ann daughter of Jonathan Parkin Nailer of Thorp in the parish of Rotherham, buried in west side of chapel yard aged 2½ (Massels) [Measles?]
The list of Apprentices and Freemen of the Sheffield Cutler's Company, in Yorkshire, contains Jonathan's and Ann's sons:
Parkin, Luke, son of Jonathan, Thorpe Hesley, Nailor; to Meller George, cutler; 8-4, 1787, Freeman 1800.
Parkin, William, son of Jonathan, Thorpe Hesley, nailor; to Stones John, cutler; 7, 1791. £3 prem.
In 1804, Jonathan, now called Grocer, and with Thorpe given as being in the parish of Ecclesfield, purchased two cottages or tenements . . . with the yards garden and appurtenances thereunto
belonging containing twenty four perches or thereabouts situate lying and being at or near a place called Mortomly Lane Ends in the parish of Ecclesfield. . . (West Riding of Yorkshire: Registry of Deeds.)
Jonathan's will: This is the last will & testament of me JONATHAN PARKIN of Thorp Hesley in the parish of Rotherham in the County of York Grocer made the fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fourteen in manner following that is to say First I will and direct that all my just debts and funeral expences be fully paid and satisfied by my executors hereinafter named Then I give to my wife Ann Parkin all my property whatsoever during her life And after her death I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Ann Adkin in the parish of Sheffield in the the county of York the sum of five pounds Also I give and bequeath the remaining part of my property to my two sons and daughter hereinafter named to be equally devided share and share alike that is to say one part to my son Luke Parkin now at Boston in Lincolnshire and one part to my son William Parkin of the Strand London in the county of Middlesex and one part to my daughter Lucy Stewart of Sheffield in the County of York and in case any of the last mentioned three should dye then their share to be equally devided amongst their children share and share alike Allso I do appoint my two sons Luke Parkin and William Parkin executors of this my last Will and Testament. (Proved 6 August 1814.)
Jonathan was buried in the Wentworth churchyard 30 July 1814, his age being given as seventy-five--it was actually seventy-two. Widow Ann was buried 28 May 1816. her age listed as sixty-eight.
Source: " Some Ancestral Lines" by Raymon Myers Tingley p. 127 etc. FHL US/CAN Film #1321281 Item 2
HARRIS, Richard, of Sm, yeoman, grown old. Will dated 6 Mar 1738/9, proved 15 Sep 1750, pgs 34-36. Mentions: Sons Richard Harris, Amaziah Harris, Jonathan Harris, David Harris, & Preserved Harris. Daughters Ammity Smith, Dinah Smith, & EInathan Gile. One of the first 2 daus presumably wife of son [-in-law] Jacob Smith. Son[in-law] Jacob Smith.
Printed from Family Archive Viewer, CD215 Vital Records: Rhode Island, 1500s-l900s, RI. Genealogical Register, Volume 3 No.4, Abstracts Smithfield Wills, © Genealogy.com, June 24, 2001
Source: " Some Ancestral Lines" by Raymon Myers Tingley p. 127 etc. FHL US/CAN Film #1321281 Item 2
Source: " Some Ancestral Lines" by Raymon Myers Tingley p. 127 etc. FHL
Thomas Lapham was admitted freeman at Smithfield, 4 Feb. 1755; was Deputy to the General Court almost continuously from 1747 to 1752; was appointed a Commissioner to run a boundary in 1750; and was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1750-60 and l763-64. His will, made
124 THE AMERICAN GENEALOGIST
17 Aug. 1775, is recorded at Smithfield; in it he left £33 "unto my three grandsons David Whipple, Job Whipple and Ephraim Whipple to be equally divided between them."
(Probate Records, Smithfield, 1769-97, pp. 392-3; for the Whipple connection, see his daughter Silvia, below.)
It was the opinion of S. F. Peckham that Thomas Lapham moved from Dartmouth to Smithfield soon after his marriage in 1730. He settled in the Blackstone Valley where he built his first house near the village of Albion. In 1766 he built another house on the high land nearly a mile and a half due west of Mannville. This was a large two-story house typical of that period and locality and is still (1947) standing. In his will he left this property, his Homestead Farm, to his son, Augustus Lapbam, who lived there until his death in 1828. In a field back of this house Is an old Lapham Burying Ground where Thomas and his wife are undoubtedly buried. There are some twenty stones, but, as was the custom among Friends, few of them are marked. Among those marked are the stones of David, Abigail and Lillis the three children of Thomas who died in November, 1753.
S. F. Peckham wrItes: "The Laphams must have owned a large tract of land west of Mannville and Albion. Here he [Thomas Lapham] carried on large farming operations, was clerk of the Friends Meeting and later an Elder... Whether he assisted in organizing the Smithfield Upper Friends Meeting at Union Village, now a part of Woonsocket, I know not, but it is quite certain he was very active in organizing the Smithfield Lower Meeting near Lonsdale which has been called the Old Friends' Meeting House for more than a century."