John Sprague

Notes:

ATGG: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, - D0007
BIRTH: ATGG, pg. 130. Not in "Vital Records of Duxbury MA to 1850"
MARRIAGES: ATGG, pg. 130
DEATH: ATGG, pg. 130

NEHGS Register, vol. 134, pg. 230 records that Moses Stockbridge of Hampton, NH, Lambstown (now Hardwick), MA, Leicester, MA and Hebron, CT sold his 50 acres in Hebron on 24 Mar 1723/4 to Joseph Swetland of Hebron and John Sprague, Jr. of Lebanon.

A John Sprague died 14 Dec 1739 in Duxbury at age 57, which would put his birth abt. 1682. Probably too old for this John, unless he was the first son of John Sr., which would put his birth about right. This creates difficulties, however, with the John Sprague, Jr. in Connecticut. (Mass. VR to 1850, Duxbury, p. 426)
"SPRAGUE?tab?John, Dec. 14, 1739, in 57th y. G.R.1."
Since land records confirm Ephraim as the eldest son of John, it seems unlikely this is the same John Jr. (see notes under Ephraim).

An article in NEHGS Register April 1970, p. 118 deals with another John Sprague, who married Bethia Snow and was the father of Peleg, who also moved to Lebanon, CT, so there must be some connection between the two John's. That John is the one who died in 1739, above.

Taunton, MA VR shows marriage of John Sprague, Jr. of Lebanon to Susanna Hodges of Taunton. As there is no Lebanon, MA, it seems very likely this is the same John Sprague, Jr.

In an article titled "Necrology of the New-England Historic Genealogical Society" by Rev. Samuel Cutler, published in the New England Historic Genealogical Register January 1877 states the following in reference to the Rev. William Buell Sprague of Albany, NY: "His grandfather was John Sprague, who married Susannah Hodges of Taunton, and who removed from Lebanon to Andover, Conn. The family is descended from Francis Sprague, an early settler of Duxbury."

John married Mary Badcock 22 Feb 1711, Lebanon, New London, Connecticut, United States. Mary was born 28 Jan 1681, Milton, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States; died 5 Jan 1722, Lebanon, New London, Connecticut, United States. [Group Sheet]

John married Hannah Burt 1722, Lebanon (of), New London, Connecticut, United States. Hannah was born Abt 1697, Swansea (of), Bristol, Massachusetts, United States; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 959J-ZR

Notes:

ATGG: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, - D0007
BIRTH: ATGG, pg. 113 (approx.), third child. Of age by 6 Jun 1683.
MARRIAGES: ATGG, pg. 113 (married by 6 Nov 1683 when wife is mentioned). Not in "Vital Records of Duxbury MA".
DEATH: ATGG, pg. 113. 1992 AF: 1728
NOTE: ATGG: Estate settlement lists as eldest son (pg. 114), children on pg. 130

Ancestral file had this John Sprague married to Lydia Goff, daughter of Edward and Lydia (Joyce) Goff of Cambridge, MA. However, according to New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 1954, volume 108, pg 227, Lydia Goff was married to John Sprague, son of Ralph Sprague and Joan Warren. He was born in 1624 in Hingham, MA, died 1683 in Mendon, MA, 3 years before Benjamin, son of John and Lydia, was born. She died in Malden 1715. She and her children are mentioned in her father's will dated 1657 and proved 1658, as recorded in the Register (http://www.americanancestors.org/PageDetail.aspx?recordId=135443922)

NEHGS Register, volume 87, beginning on page 149 is a publication of The Children and Grandchildren of Capt. Myles Standish. Page 160 has the following entry:
"Lois (Standish) Calkins m. (2) 21 Mar. 1727, as his second wife, Lieut. John Sprague, who d. 6 Mar 1728, son of John and Ruth (Bassett) Sprague. His first wife, Lydia, d. 18 July 1725. The identity of Lois as the widow of John Sprague is established by the following deed, dated 26 Jan 1729 and signed by Lowis Sprague, Miles Standish, Elizabeth Standish, and Amie Standish, the last three being children of Israel Standish:"

Spragues in North Lebanon, CT at the time of a rate bill 14 Dec 1741 (NEHGS Register, volume 20, pg. 46): Ephraim, Peleg, Perez, John, Elijah.

NEHGS Register, vol. 118, pg. 267 " On 14 May 1719 the General Court empowered Joseph Backus of Norwich and John Sprague of Lebanon 'to sell and confirm several tracts of land to ye north of Volintown and west to sd Volintown... to such persons as will settel ye same for ye promoting sd town.' Under this authority Backus and Sprague sold, on 6 Feb 1723/4, 130 acres of land to 'Sam Church of Volintown.' On the same day they sold 200 acres to Robert Parke and Samuel Church."

John md. (2) Lois Abel (according to the record, but see notes above identifying her as Lois Standish) on 21 Mar 1726 in Lebanon. He & his wife Lydia moved to Lebanon,Conn. in 1703.
On 14 Jul 1718, John Sprague Sr. & John Sprague Jr., agree to liberate Jack, an Indian slave bought by them, when he had served faithfully 12 years, and gave him a colt which they agree to keep free of charge until Jack sees fit to dispose of him. They also give him a ewe sheep which they agree to keep and her increase for two years.(F.S.of D, p. 12-13)

John married Lydia Abt 1684, Duxbury (of), , Massachusetts, United States. Lydia was born Abt 1660; died 18 Jul 1725, Lebanon, New London, Connecticut, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

ATGG: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, - D0007
MARRIAGE: ATGG, pg. 113 (married by 6 Nov 1683, no surname known)
DEATH: ATGG, pg. 113. 1992 AF# 92CP-0G: 11 Dec 1715, Malden, MA or Lebanon, CT
NOTE: ATGG, pg. 130 lists children

Pg 114 notes: "It is unfortunate that the identity of John's first wife, Lydia, remains unsolved for she was the mother of all his seven children and may have been a Mayflower descendent."

Ancestral file had a birthdate of 18 Jul 1658, Duxbury, but I found no Lydia's born on that date in Duxbury records. This is likely an error, as no parents are listed and it is unlikely a date would be available without the parents.

Other Events:

• AFN: 959K-5R
• Military Service: 24 Mar 1676

Notes:

ATGG: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, - D0007
BIRTH: ATGG, pg. 100 (approx.).
MARRIAGE: ATGG, pg. 112 (also lists children). None of children recorded in "Vital Records of Duxbury MA to 1850".
DEATH: ATGG, pg. 100. Killed by Indians in King Philip's War 26 Mar 1676.
"Vital Record of Rehoboth 1642-1896", pg. 919 lists those slain in "Perces Fight", a skirmish in King Philip's War in which 52 Englishmen and 11 Indians were slain. John Sprague is listed as one of 4 from Duxbury. Also recorded in the NEHGS Register of 1890, volume 44, page 71.

Killed in "Capt. [Michael] Pierce's fight at Pawtucket in King Philip's War"

Francis was an Inn Holder & in 1669, His son John succeeded to his business of "keeping an ordinary " tavern, where spirituous liquors were sold, and it is presumed that Francis death occured shortly before.
(Francis Sprague of Duxbury, p. 10)
On 8 Jun 1655 "We present John Sprague and Ruth Bassett, of Duxbury, for fornication before they were married [ PCR 4: 192 ] (John Sprague is treated in detail by Maclean W. McLean, who estimates his birth as about 1635, whereas we make him slightly older [ TAG 41: 178-81 ]

John Sprague is a witness to the will of Henery Howland of Duxbury 28 Nov. 1670.

Military Service:
Listed as a member of the Peirse Regiment

John married Ruth Bassett Bef 8 Jun 1655, Plymouth, , Massachusetts, United States. Ruth (daughter of William Bassett and Elizabeth) was born Abt 1634, Plymouth, , Massachusetts, United States; died Between 1694 and 1700, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 959K-6X

Notes:

ATGG: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, - D0007
BIRTH: ATGG, pg. 100 (approx.).
MARRIAGES: ATGG, pp. 100, 108 (1) before 8 Jun 1655, (2) bef 22 Mar 1693/1694
DEATH: ATGG, pg. 100 (after 1696 and before 1700)
PARENTS: ATGG, pg. 100
CHILDREN: ATGG, pg. 112

Her Abt b. & Mg. to John Sprague[TAG 41:178-81, citing PCR 6:109 for evidence of mg] She md (2) ----------Thomas [p22,90,108);>TAG 41:179; Robert S. Wakefield suggests that this was John Thomas of Marshfield, who died before 12 Jan 1691/2,& whose first wife had died 2 Jan 1682/3]

Other Events:

• AFN: 9J3V-FJ

Notes:

ATGG: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, - D0007
HISTORICAL: ATGG, pg. 84-85 indicates came on ship "Anne" to Plymouth about 10 Jul 1623. Division of cattle 22 May 1627 lists family as himself and two daughters, Anna and Mercye.
BIRTH: Estimated from children. 1992 AF: about 1574 seems too early.
MARRIAGES: ATGG, pg. 98 speculates unknown first wife as mother of Mercy and Anna (says Dorcas but obviously means Anna), since no wife is mentioned in the 22 May 1627 record. Unknown second wife mother of John and Dorcas. No mention of a child Mary.
DEATH: ATGG, pg. 84

From Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families by William T. Davis, NEHGS, REF F74 P8 D173 1899, pg. 250 "Sprague, Francis came, with wife and child, in the Ann 1623, and had, at his death, John, Ann, Mary; and Mercy, m. William Tubbs"

NEHG Register vol. 134, p. 195 quotes from Edward Sprague's will, mentioning children in birth order Ralphe, Alice, Edward, Richard, Christopher and William. No mention of Francis, so assumptions that Francis is the son of Edward and his wife Christiana are false. (http://www.americanancestors.org/PageDetail.aspx?recordId=235471294)

From "The Great Migration Begins"

ORIGIN: Unknown
MIGRATION: 1623 in Anne
FIRST RESIDENCE: Plymouth
REMOVES: Duxbury by 1638
OCCUPATION: Innkeeper (1 October 1638: "Francis Sprague is licensed to keep victualling on Duxborrow side" [ PCR 1:99]; 3 March 1639/40: "Francis Sprague, of Duxborrow, for drawing & retailing wine at Duxborrow, contrary to the express order of the Court, is fined by the Bench 20s. sterling" [ PCR 1:143]; 5 May 1640: "Francis Sprague, of Duxborrow, is prohibited by the Court to draw any wine or strong water until the next General [Court], without special license from the Court so to do" [ PCR 1:153]; 2 June 1640 and 1 September 1640: Francis Sprague presented for selling & retailing of wine contrary to order [ PCR 1:156, 162]). Licensed 7 July 1646 to draw wine and keep an ordinary at Duxburrow [ PCR 2:104]. His license was recalled 5 June 1666 [ PCR 4:129].
FREEMAN: Admitted 7 June 1637 [ PCR 1:60] (and as a result added to the list of freemen compiled on 7 March 1636/7 [ PCR 1:53]). In Duxbury section of 1639, 1658 and 29 May 1670 lists of freemen [ PCR 5:275, 8:175, 198].
EDUCATION: Signed his deeds by mark.
OFFICES: Duxbury surveyor of highways, 7 June 1648, 3 June 1657 [ PCR 2:124, 3:116]. Constable, 4 June 1653 [ PCR 2:153].
In Duxbury section of 1643 Plymouth Colony list of men able to bear arms [ PCR 8:190].
ESTATE: In the 1623 Plymouth land division "Francis Spragge" was granted three acres as a passenger on the Anne [ PCR 12:5]. In the 1627 Plymouth cattle division Francis Sprage, Anna Sprage and Mercye Sprage were the eleventh through thirteenth persons in the sixth company [ PCR 12:11].
Assessed 18s. in the Plymouth tax lists of 25 March 1633 and 27 March 1634 [ PCR 1:10, 27]. He was one of the purchasers [ PCR 2:177].
In 1637 Francis Sprague of Duxbury sold to Mr. Ralph Partridge "all his right and title into so much of the lot of his land lying in Ducksburrow aforesaid as is now enclosed by the said Mr. Partridg" [ PCR 12:19]. On 28 March 1642 Francis Sprague sold to Morris Truant "two acres of marsh meadow lying at the Wood Island" [ PCR 12:78]. On 1 April 1644 Francis Sprague of Duxbury sold to "Will[ia]m Laurence my son-in-law of the same town ... fifty acres" [ PCR 12:138].
On 26 October 1659 Francis Sprague of Duxbury, planter, sold to "his son-in-law Ralph Earle of Road Island in the Jurisdiction of Providence Plantation the one-half of all his share, part or portion of land lying or being at the place or places commonly called by the Indians by the names of Coaksett and Acushena" [ MD 14:90-91, citing PCLR 2:2:30a].
On 27 April 1661 "Francis Sprague of Duxburrow ... planter" deeded "unto John Sprague his true and natural son all that his dwelling house and outhouses and buildings scituate in Duxburrow aforesaid, and all and singular the upland and meadow now thereunto belonging, whether obtained by grant or purchased of other persons ... containing in all forty or fifty acres or thereabouts with three acres of meadow" [ MD 16:205-07, citing PCLR 2:2:75-76]. On 3 May 1664 "Francis Sprague of Duxburrow ... planter" deeded to "his son John Sprague all that his part, portion and share of land and meadow he hath at or near Namasakett ... which was granted to him and others" on 3 June 1662 [ MD 19:107, citing PCLR 3:4; see also PCR 4:19 and MD 34:81, citing PCLR 3:21].
BIRTH: By about 1590 based on estimated date of marriage.
DEATH: Living 1670 [ PCR 5:275] but deceased by 2 March 1679/80 [ PCR 7:221].
MARRIAGE: (1) England by about 1614 _____ _____; she died England by 1623.
(2) By about 1630 _____ _____.
CHILDREN:
?tab? With first wife

?tab? i ANNA, b. say 1614; m. by 1644 William Lawrence [ PCR 12:138].

?tab? ii MERCY, b. say 1617; m. Plymouth 9 November 1637 William Tubbs [ PCR 1:68]; William Tubbs was granted a divorce from his wife Mercy, 7 July 1668, at which time she was living in Rhode Island [ PCR 4:192].

With second wife
?tab? iii JOHN, b. say 1630; m. by about 1655 Ruth Bassett, daughter of WILLIAM BASSETT (on 8 June 1655 "we present John Sprague and Ruth Bassett, of Duxburrow, for fornication before they were married [ PCR 3:82]). (John Sprague is treated in detail by Maclean W. McLean, who estimates his birth as about 1635, whereas we make him slightly older [ TAG 41:178-81].)

?tab? iv DORCAS, b. say 1632; m. by 1659 Ralph Earle [ MD 14:90-91].

?tab?

COMMENTS: There are very few dates for this family, and many unanswered questions. The household of Francis Sprague consisted of three persons in 1623 and again in 1627 [ PCR 12:5, 11], and we assume here that these three are in both cases Francis, Anna and Mercy. Mercy was clearly the daughter who married in 1637, but opinion is divided as to whether Anna was wife or daughter of Francis.
We know that a daughter of Francis Sprague had married William Lawrence by 1644, but we have no record which gives her Christian name. But to have married by that date, and be born after the cattle division of 1627, she would be seventeen at marriage at most, and perhaps younger. The more likely solution is that the Anna of the cattle division was a second daughter, and Francis did not bring a wife with him to New England.
The other two children of Francis (John and Dorcas) were apparently born in the 1630s, and so fifteen or twenty years younger than Mercy and Anna, with no evidence of any children born in between. This alone suggests that these were children of a second marriage. We postulate, therefore, that Francis Sprague had two wives, the first of whom died in England before 1623, and the second of whom he married in New England about 1630. If our conclusion that Anna Sprague of the 1627 cattle division became wife of William Lawrence is correct, then we do not know the given name of either of the wives of Francis, nor do we have dates of birth, marriage or death for either of them.
On 2 August 1642 Francis Sprague, innholder, of Duxborrow, was accused of selling a fowling piece to an Indian [ PCR 2:43].
BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTE: In 1919 Mary Lovering Holman compiled a concise account of the family of Francis Sprague [ Scott Gen 241].

Other Events:

• AFN: 9J3V-Q3

Notes:

(Research):MARRIAGES: Confusion over whether he and the William shown in the AF as his father were one and the same. Following taken from "Leyden Documents Relating to the Pilgrim Fathers", Netherlands America Institute, Leyden, E.J. Brill Ltd, 1920. (Only references to William Bassett in this document.) Notes: see D00013
Pg. VI, Marriage intention: 19 March 1611 William Basset, hodman, Sandwich, England, widower of Cecily Light (Sisle Lecht, as recorded by the Dutch magistrate), accompanied by Roger Wilson and William Brewster, with Mary Butler, accompanied by Ann Fuller and Rose Lisle (Mary died in April before completion of the "banns").
Pg. VIII, Marriage intention: 26 July 1611. Marriage 13 Aug 1611
William Basset, Englishman, widower of Cicely Light (Sisle Lecht), accompanied by Roger Wilson and Edward Southworth, with Margaret Oldham (Holdum, Holtham) (Margriete Oldum - Dutch record), accompanied by Wybra Pontus and Elisabeth Neal (she appears to have married William Buckram of Ipswich, widower of Judith, 17 Dec 1611).
Records of the "Fortune", which arrived in Plymouth, MA in 1621, show William Bassett with one other family member, presumably his wife. In the 1627 Division of Cattle, he is shown with wife Elizabeth and children William and Elysabeth. No other William Bassett came from Leyden to Plymouth. From the above, it appears William of Leyden was a close acquaintance of William Brewster (born 15??) and Roger Wilson (born about 1584), both of whom came to Plymouth. William Bassett continues to have close relations with Brewster, Wilson and Miles Standish in Plymouth. See: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, pg. 203-210 - D0007
"One Bassett Family in America" by Buell B. Bassette, 1926, copy at the NEHGS, pp. 1-8 - D00012 references the Leyden records and the will of William Bassett of Plymouth and dismisses the argument for one William Bassett. Rationale is: "but this would require that he be born as early as 1590 and make him 77 at the time of making will, whereas the language of the will does not indicate one so old. Moreover, it is quite unusual for one to have married twice and have both wives die within ten years without heirs."

The argument that they are one and the same includes the following:
1. Only one William Bassett appears in the Leyden records and he appears to be a close acquaintance of William Brewster and Roger Wilson, both of whom go to Plymouth. Only one William Bassett goes to Plymouth.
2. Those accompanying the marriage intentions were likely of similar age. A number of them marry close to the same time (see Leyden records). Roger Wilson and William Brewster were born in the 1580's. William Bassett of Leyden is likely close in age. 1590 is reasonable.
3. The statement in the will "If God had lengthened out my life It might have bine that thou mightest have bine more Comfortably provided for" seems to be more a sentimental expression than the worries of a young husband unable to leave his wife adequately provided for. William was a substantial land holder and had a significant library, hardly leaving his wife in poverty. Also, this statement seems no more unusual for a 77 year old than for a 67
year old (as Bassette assumes), given the life expectancy of the times.
4. Given the apparent high mortality in the group, it is not unreasonable for both wives to have died. Cecily could have died soon after marriage; Margaret Oldham could have been unable to bear children or had children who died in infancy and could have died before the departure for Plymouth.
5. One IGI record gives the name of Elizabeth, wife of William of Plymouth, as Elizabeth Neil, although the only Elizabeth Neal in Leyden accompanied Margaret Oldham at her marriage to William Bassett and in December marries William Buckham. Another gives it as Elizabeth Tilden. It is not unusual for a man to marry his deceased wife's widowed sister, in this case Mary Tilden.

"From The Great Migration Begins", online database

WILLIAM BASSETT

ORIGIN: Unknown
MIGRATION: 1621 on Fortune
FIRST RESIDENCE: Plymouth
REMOVES: Duxbury by 1637 [ PCR 1:63], Bridgewater by 1656
OCCUPATION: Blacksmith (the first five lines of the inventory included blacksmith's tools, including a pair of bellows, an anvil, a vice, tongs and hammers and coal shovels, and "all the rest of the smith shop" items).
FREEMAN: In "1633" Plymouth list of freemen, among those admitted before 1 January 1632/3 [ PCR 1:3]; also in list of 7 March 1636/7 [ PCR 1:52]. In Duxbury portion of list of 1639 [ PCR 8:174]. In Bridgewater portion of list which has been dated in 1658 [ PCR 8:202].
EDUCATION: Inventory included more than twenty books listed by title, mostly theological, valued at ?9 18s.
OFFICES: Plymouth coroner's jury, 2 March 1635/6 [ PCR 1:39]; committee to admit newcomers to Duxbury, 7 May 1638 [ PCR 1:84]; Plymouth grand jury, 5 June 1638, 6 June 1654 [ PCR 1:87, 3:49]; Plymouth petit jury, 7 March 1636/7, 2 January 1637/8, 6 March 1637/8, 4 June 1639, 3 September 1639 [ PCR 7:5, 7, 8, 12, 13]; Duxbury deputy to Plymouth court, 2 June 1640, 6 June 1643, 29 August 1643, 5 March 1643/4, 7 June 1648 [ PCR 1:154, 2:57, 60, 68, 123]; committee to lay out land, 3 September 1638, 7 January 1638/9, 4 February 1638/9, 4 March 1638/9, 31 August 1640, 5 October 1640 [ PCR 1:95, 109, 112, 115, 161, 163]; committee on bounds between Duxbury and Marshfield, 2 March 1640/1 [ PCR 2:9, 42]; council of war for Duxbury, 27 September 1642 [ PCR 2:46]; Duxbury constable, 3 June 1652 [ PCR 3:8]; committee to lay out highways [ PCR 3:61, 62]. In Duxbury portion of 1643 list of men able to bear arms [ PCR 8:190].
ESTATE: In the 1623 Plymouth land division "William Bassite" received two acres as a passenger on the Fortune in 1621 [ PCR 12:5]. In the 1627 Plymouth division of cattle, the sixth company included William Basset, Elizabeth Basset, William Basset Jr. and Elizabeth Basset Jr. [ PCR 12:11].
Assessed ?1 7s. in the Plymouth tax lists of 25 March 1633 and 27 March 1634 [ PCR 1:10, 27].
On 1 July 1633, 14 March 1635/6 and 20 March 1636/7 William Bassett was ordered to "mow at the end of his own ground" [ PCR 1:14, 40, 56].
On 23 June 1637 William Bassett of Duxbury released to Mr. Ralph Partridge "so much of the lot of his lands lying in Ducksborrow aforesaid as is now enclosed by the said Mr. Partridg" [ PCR 12:18-19], and again on 7 November 1637 a similar agreement was reached regarding land released to William Leverich and Ralph Partridge [ PCR 12:25].
On 6 April 1640 Plymouth Colony granted to "William Basset of Duxburrow" one hundred acres of upland with "meadow convenient" [ PCR 1:144, 146].
On 3 June 1652 William Bassett of Duxbury gave to "his son-in-law Leiftenant Perigrine White" forty acres of upland with the meadow adjoining [ MD 1:96, citing PCLR 2:1:5]. On 16 June 1656 "William Bassett Senior of Duxburrow now living at Bridgewater" made a deed of gift of his Marshfield lands to his "two sons there living viz: Perigrine White and Nathaniell Bassett" [ MD 10:25-27, citing PCLR 2:1:177-78].
William Bassett and Mr. [John] Howland jointly held one share as Dartmouth purchasers, 7 March 1652 [ MD 4:187, citing PCLR 2:1:107].
On 8 November 1666 William Bassett, blacksmith, of Bridgewater sold to John Sprague of Duxbury, husbandman, for ?40 four lots of upland containing fourscore acres and five acres of meadow, with dwelling house, cowhouse, stable, barn, outhouse, orchard and garden; William Bassett acknowledged the deed on 7 November 1666, and on 5 November 1666 "Mary Bassett the wife of William Bassett Sr. ... of Bridgewater" consented to the sale [ PCLR 3:66, with dates in the unlikely order as given].
On 3 April 1667 William Bassett Senior made a nuncupative will, bequeathing the movables to his wife, and the house and land to her during her life, after which it was to go to his son William's son, and bequeath~ing his tools to his son Joseph, and "being demanded about his books which he formerly took care about, answered he could not now do it" [ MD 16:162, citing PCPR 2:2:37]. His inventory was taken 12 May 1667 and totalled ?123 2s. 6d. (which included no land, but did include his blacksmith's tools and more than twenty books) [ PCPR 2:2:37-38]. On 5 June 1667 letters of administration were granted to William Bassett Jr. on the estate of William Bassett Sr. deceased [ PCR 4:155].
On 2 June 1669 "William Bassett of Sandwich ... the eldest son and heir of William Bassett sometimes inhabitant of ... Bridgewater ... now deceased" confirmed to "Joseph Bassett of Bridgewater my youngest brother" land in Bridgewater granted him by his father in his lifetime but not legally confirmed [ PCLR 3:140].
BIRTH: By about 1600, assuming that Elizabeth was his first wife.
DEATH: Bridgewater between 3 April 1667 (date of will) and 12 May 1667 (date of inventory). (The claim that William Bassett died on 4 April 1667 derives from a peculiar misreading of the probate documents, in which the date of probate is taken as 5 April rather than 5 June, and the assumption is made that the death must have occurred between the third and the fifth.)
MARRIAGE: (1) By 1623 (and probably by 1621) Elizabeth _____, probably also a passenger on the Fortune in 1621; she appears in no record after 1627, and may have died soon after the birth of the last child about 1634, or she may have lived until just before William Bassett married his second wife.
(2) After 1651 and before 12 December 1664 Mary (Tilden) Lapham, daughter of Nathaniel Tilden, widow of Thomas Lapham [see TIMOTHY HATHERLEY]; she was living at Bridgewater as late as 28 March 1690 [ Bassett Gen 6, citing BridTR 1:320].
CHILDREN:
i WILLIAM, b. Plymouth about 1624; m. by about 1652 Mary Rainsford, daughter of EDWARD RAINSFORD [ NEHGR 139:299].

ii ELIZABETH, b. Plymouth about 1626; m. Sandwich 8 November 1648 Thomas Burgess [ PCR 8:6], from whom she was divorced on 10 June 1661 [ PCR 3:221].

iii SARAH, b. Plymouth say 1628; m. by 6 March 1648/9 Peregrine White, son of WILLIAM WHITE [ PCR 2:183; MF 1:101-03].

iv NATHANIEL, b. say 1630; m. about 1661 Dorcas Joyce, daughter of John Joyce [ TAG 43:3-5].

v JOSEPH, b. say 1632; m. (1) by about 1660 Mary _____ (said to be his stepsister Mary Lapham, daughter of Thomas Lapham [see NEHGR 115:85]); m. (2) Hingham 16 October 1677 Martha Hobart [ NEHGR 121:200].

vi RUTH, b. say 1634; m. (1) by 1655 John Sprague, son of FRANCIS SPRAGUE [ TAG 41:178-81, citing PCR 6:109 for evidence of marriage]; she m. (2) _____ Thomas [ TAG 41:179; Robert S. Wakefield suggests that this was John Thomas of Marshfield, who died before 12 January 1691/2, and whose first wife had died 2 January 1682/3].

COMMENTS: In 1611 a William Bassett, formerly of Sandwich in England, widower of Cecily Light, was twice betrothed at Leiden in Holland. His first bride-to-be died, but he succeeded the second time. Some have held that this was the man who came to Plymouth, but this seems unlikely given the ten-year gap before the arrival in Plymouth in 1621, and the lack of evidence for children of the Plymouth man born before that date, assuming that he had been married at least twice before. It is also possible that the William Bassett of Leiden in 1611 was the father of the immigrant to Plymouth in 1621, but there is no evidence directly favoring this hypothesis. (See discussion in Stratton 242-43.)
If the two-acre grant to William Bassett in 1623 was for William and his wife Elizabeth, then the first child would not have been born until 1624, three years after William's arrival in Plymouth. It is possible (though not likely) that the marriage took place in Plymouth, and Elizabeth came on the Fortune as a single woman.
Savage has misread the 1627 Plymouth cattle division, somehow including daughter Sarah Bassett in this list, when in fact only two children, William and Elizabeth, were included. Sarah must have been born soon after 1627, however, to have married by the end of 1648.
Pope claims that William Bassett resided at Sandwich in 1650, but this would be the son of the same name.
Munsey-Hopkins (p. 67) lists a "probable" seventh child, a daughter Jane who married a Thomas Gilbert. This must be a simple error in which "Rossiter" was misread for "Bassett," as there was a Thomas Gilbert of Taunton who married Jane Rossiter.
Various secondary sources claim that William Bassett volunteered for service in the Pequot War, and in the index to the first volume of published Plymouth Colony records he is listed for the page on which such volunteers appear, but he does not actually appear in the list [ PCR 1:61]; a number of the index entries for William Bassett actually seem to be for William Paddy.
On 6 March 1648/9 William Bassett was fined 5s. "for not mending of guns in seasonable time," and on 9 June 1653 he was fined 10s. "for neglecting to publish and make known an order directed to him from the council of war, prohibiting provisions for being transported out of the colony" [ PCR 2:137, 3:36]. On 9 August 1655 and 10 June 1661 the colony treasurer received payment of fines by William Bassett [ PCR 3:93, 8:104].

(2) wife Mrs. Mary (Tilden) Lasham. He came in 1621 in the ship Fortune, which was the second ship to arrive at Plymouth., NEHGR Vol 62, p.315

Mag. of Am. Geneal. No. 25, various issues of Hartford Times.; Bassett Geneal.

William married Elizabeth Abt 1621, Plymouth (of), , Massachusetts, United States. Elizabeth was born Abt 1603; died Bef 1667, Plymouth, , Massachusetts, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 9J3V-R8

Notes:

(Research):ATGG: "Ancestry of Two Great Grandmothers, Esther (Root) Poole, Lois (Sprague) Mears", compiled by Winifred Lovering Holman, S.B., 1938, copy at the NEHGS, - D0007

The only records of Elizabeth do not give any information on her origins or maiden name. She appears as the wife of William Bassett with two children, William and Elizabeth, in the first references to her in the division of cattle in Plymouth. The records from the ship "Fortune" list William Basset and an unnamed member of his household, presumably Elizabeth. The research staff at Plimoth Plantation confirm that they have not uncovered any details on Elizabeth.

Somewhere along the way some researcher has assumed Elizabeth is Elizabeth Tilden, possibly a sister of Mary Tilden, William's wife at the time of his death in 1667. I have not uncovered the source of that assumption.

MARRIAGE: ATGG, pg. 210: Elizabeth prob. mother of children of William Bassett. No reference to surname.

DEATH: ATGG, pg. 204: since William Basset was married to Mary (Tilden) Lapham at his death in 1667, Elizabeth died prior to that year.

See Notes under William Bassett for information on him and his family.