Richard Ingersoll came from Bedfordshire, England
to Salem, Mass. in 1629, under contract with the
Mass. Bay Co., to take a place in the force of
planters they were gathering. His family was
to be brought over, and he was well spoken of
by the company's secretary in a letter to Gov.
John Endecott. (See Suffolk Deeds I) He
maintained a ferry in Salem in 1636; had large
property. He died in 1644. His will is interesting.
(July the 21st 1644 I, Richard Ingerson, of Salem,
in the County of Essex, in New England, being weake
in body; but through Gods mercye in pfect memorye,
doe make this my last will and testament as followeth,
Vidz: I give to Ann, my wife, all my estate of
lands, goods and chattells whatsoever, except as
followeth viz: I give to George Ingerson, my son,
six acres of meddow lying in the great meddow: It.
I give to Nathaniel my youngest son, a percell of
ground with a little frame thereupon, which I bought
of John Pe--- but if the said Nathaniel dy, without
issue of his body lawfully begotten, then the land
abovesaid to be equally shared, between John
Ingerson, my son, and Richard Pettengill, and William
Haines, my sons in law. It. I give to Bathsheba, my
youngest daughter, two cowes. It. I give to my
daughter Alce Walcott, my house at Tow--- with ten
acres of upland and the meddow, after my wifes
decease.
Richard V Ingerson his marke Witness
Townsend
Bishop: I read this will to Richard Ingerson
and he
acknowledged it to be his will. Jo: Endecott
Presented in Court upon oath: 2:11month:1644 P.
me Ralf ffogg. and Ann Ingersoll made executrix:
This is a true copie compd with the originall on
file in Salem Court Records atestes Hillyard Verin.)
It has been asserted that a certain house at Salem
was built by Ingersoll and was the original of the
Romance by Hawthorne. "House of the Seven Gables".
Ann, the widow, married 2nd, John Knight, Sen. of
Newbury. Some years later, litigation arose over
the farm her husband had willed her, and in the
trial her son in law gave the following testimony.
"I, Richard Pettengill, aged about 45 years, doe
testify that this farm of land that is now in
contriversy was reserved by the Widow Inkersoll
to her self before her marriage to John Knight Sr.
and shee verbally gave this land to John Inkersoll
her son. I, Richard Pettengill, doe farder testify
that about the year 52, the said John Knight cam
hom too Newbury and tould his wif that hee had
promised m pain sum timber at the lot at frost fish
river: she was then troubled at it and said what
have you to doe to sell my timber wher upon the
said John Knight promised her twenty shillings:
and the said John Knight Sr. did then oun that he
had no right in that land." (Essex Court Files,
XIV, 28-32) Mr. Knight then joined with his wife
in conveying the farm to her sons, John and
Nathaniel "Ingerson" as the deed was written by
the scrivener.
Background courtesy of
