The Bosworth Family
ID: I600811149
Name: Nathaniel BOSWORTH (DEACON)
Given Name: Nathaniel
Surname: Bosworth (Deacon)
Sex: M
Birth: 4 Sept 1617 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, England
Death: 31 Aug 1690 in Bristol, Bristol, RI
Note:
Deacon Nathaniel BOSWORTH Sr. was born on Sep 4 1617 in Market Bosworth, Leicester, Eng.. He immigrated about 1634 to Gravesend, England on the ship Elizabeth & Dorcas.7 (per Mary Bosworth Clarke)..." The History of the Bosworth Family in America begins with Edward Bosworth, who with his wife Mary, left England in the spring of 1634, sailing from the port of Gravesend, near the mouth of Thames, in the ship Elizabeth Dorcas. They had with them their sons, Benjamin, and Nathaniel, possibly a son Edward (or Edmond), a daughter Mary, and her husband, William Buckland, and there may have been younger children, but I have found no record of any, and only a slight trace of the son Edward. An older son, Jonathan, had come to America a year or more before, and settled in Cambridge, then called "Newe Towne." He resided about 1635 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., Mass.7 He resided in 1652 in Hull, Suffolk Co, Mass.7 (per M.B. Clarke taken from the Gazetteer of Mass, by John Hayward, pub. 1846)...Hull "is celebrated for its beautiful beach four miles in length, and for its shellfish and sea-food. The town lies between two hills of fine land, near Point Alderton, opposite Boston light-house. It is nine miles...from Boston by water, and twenty-one by land, via. Hingham." He was Deacon to the Church of Christ before 1675 in Hull, Suffolk Co, Mass.7 He was elected as Deputy at the Court on May 11 1681 in Hull, Suffolk Co, Mass.7 This election allowed the administering of oaths and to marry at Hull (per Mary Bosworth Clarke) He resided about 1682 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.7 When Nathaniel first came to Bristol he built him a home on the banks of Silver Creek, which was the first frame house built in the town. This house was still standing in 1926 and is not only a very old house, but highly interesting in every respect. The place has never been sold, but has been inherited by one generation after another, and in this line of succession was at one time the property of Judge Bourn, who was a member of the first Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia. The chairs, used on that occasion, were afterwards sold, and two of them were purchased by Judge Bourn. These chairs still stand in the parlor of Nathaniel Bosworth's old home "Silver Creek." Later the place came into the possession of Mrs. James Perry, whose son, the late Rev. Calbraith Bourn Perry, D.D., published a book entitled, "The Perrys of Rhode Island, and Tales of Silver Creek: The Bosworth-Bourn-Perry Homestead." (per Mary Bosworth Clarke)
Among Bristol's colonial architecture, one of the oldest and best known is on the east side of Hope Street, just north of the bridge. This is known as "Silver Creek" and was built...by Deacon Nathaniel Bosworth. From its completion to the present day it has never failed to shelter some of his descendants. It was added to from time to tome until it attained its present proportions. In the south-west part - the original house - was held the first meeting for religious worship in Bristol. During the bombardment of the town by Gen. Wallace in 1775, grape shot pierced its walls and lodged between the ceilings, where it was found years later when repairs were being made. In this building, where was organized the Congregational Church Society, was also opened the first school. This was taught by Miss Mary Bosworth, the owner's daughter. (per Mary Bosworth Clarke). He appeared on the census on Feb 11 1686 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.7 A census of "All the families in New Bristol" gives...
Nathaniel Bosworth, wife, two children,
Tommy and Edward, grandchildren, no servants
[N.E. Hist. Register, Vol. 34, pg. 404] (per Mary Bosworth Clarke) He was Cong. Church on May 3 1687 in Bristol, Bristol, RI. He was one of the founders of the first church of Bristol, first known as the "Church of Christ," and afterward called the "Catholic Congregational Church." He was the first deacon of this church and was known as "Deacon Bosworth" for the remainder of his life. The first religious services in town were held in his house, and he assisted in erecting the first house of worship built there. When the old church was abandoned and a new one built, the baptismal font from the old church was presented to the descendants of Nathaniel who were living in the old home, and it also has a place in the parlor at "Silver Creek."
Deacon Nathaniel Bosworth was a man of sterling character, and the Rev. E.P. Lane, in his historical sketches of the First Congregational Church of Bristol, gives his name among eight men who were founders of the church. Of these men, Rev. Lane says, "Such were the men, earnest, devoted, godly, and highly esteemed, who gave the weight of their character and influence to the foundation of our beloved Zion." His tombstone stands against the south exterior wall of the present church, having been removed there from the old churchyard. (per Mary Bosworth Clarke)
Extract from the records of the Cong. Church of Bristol, reads: (per Mary Bosworth Clarke)
NAME HOW RECEIVED HOW REMOVED
Nathaniel Bosworth May 3, 1687 Aug. 31, 1690 (death)
Bridget of Nathaniel June 12, 1695
Mary June 12, 1695 Apr. 21, 1735 (death)
Note: The explanation of the above is not easy to give, we can only surmise. From the date of Nathaniel's "removal" we know that this is the Nathaniel about whom we are writing, but knowing that he came to Bristol as early as 1685, and was one of the founders of the church there, we are surprised that the date when "received" into the church should not be earlier than 1687, unless the church was not organized until that time, which is probably the case. We are even more surprised that Bridget and the daughter Mary (we know it to be the daughter from the date of her removal), should not have united with the church before 1695--five years after Nathaniel's death, and he a deacon of the church. It is probable that they were members of the church in Hingham and for some unaccountable reason did not get letters from that church and join in Bristol until the date given. It will be noticed that the date of "removal" of Bridget is left blank. To my knowledge no record of her death has been found. He signed a will on Mar 15 1689/90 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.7 NATHANIEL'S BOSWORTH'S WILL (per Mary Bosworth Clarke)
This Fifteenth of March in ye yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty nine, or Ninety, I Nathaniel Bosworth of Bristoll in ye County of Bristoll in ye Colony of New Plymouth in New England, yeoman, being in good health and of perfect mind and memory Thanks be to God for ye same, calling to mind ye mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed fro all men once to Dye, Do make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following viz:
First and pricipally I give my Soule to God who gave it and for my Body I Commend it to ye Earth to be buried in Christian and Decent manner as my Executrix hereafter named shall be thought convenient. And as touching such Worldly Estate where with it hath pleased God to blesse mee in this life I give and bequeath ye same manner and forme following.
IMPRIMUS: after all my lawful Debts are paid I give and bequeath to my eldest son Nathanl Bosworth my owne Dwelling-house and all that Lott it standeth on scittuate lying and being in ye Towne of Hull in ye Massachusetts Colony in ye New England together with ye third of all my other Lands, uplands, meadowlands, and Commons at Hull afores'd and allso one third pt of my Land at Petucks Island, and all that which was mine at Brewsters Island and Slatte' Island and also one third part of all my stock at Hull afores'd that is to say Cattle, Sheep and Swine and Cart tackling as it was put into Johns hand when I came from Hull and further I give unto him one third of ye Well and halph ye malt house. And my Will is that in Division of Lands and Cattle Nathanael shall have five pounds more than either John or Joseph.
ITEM I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Bosworth that house that was Nathanaells with all ye Lott is now standeth on scittuate lying and being in Hull afores'd as allso one third part of all my other lands and meadows at Hull afores'd and one third part of my land at Pettucks Island. I allso give and bequeath to him s'd Joseph one third part of my stock that is to say Cattle, Sheep and Swine and Cart tackling as it was put into John, his hand when I came from Hull together with helph ye malt house and one third of ye Well all waise provied that Joseph Doe allow me twenty pounds beside what I now owe him to be Disposed of for my or to pay it his Mother upon her Demand.
ITEM I give and bequeath to my son John Bosworth, that Lott which his house standeth upon, he ye s'd John allowing Joseph ten or twelve foot as we did formerly agree to ye Topp of ye Hill for Joseph his enlargement further I give and bequeath to him s'd John one third part of all my other lands whether upland, or meadow or Commons scittuate lying and being in Hull afores'd together with one third part of my lands at Pettucks Island as also one third part of ye Cattle Sheep and Swine and Cart tackling with ye old Barne and Well that is a Third thereof.
FURTHERMORE as to my Estate in Bristoll in ye Colony of New Plymo in New England my Will is that Jeremy my Son upon condition that he have ye chielf care of his Mother during her life whome I appoint to be my Sole Executris then he ye s'd Jeremy shall enjoy and possesse my Dwelling House and all my home Lands, uplands and meadows on this side of ye Creek that is to say on ye norwest side thereof excepting what I bequeath to Bellamy hereafter mentioned and allso five Acres of my Ten Acre Lott now improved that is ye easter most end thereof further my Will is that Jeremy shall have the souther most end of ye Barne with ye Lean-too or Cow house but in ye meantime I give and bequeath to my Deare and Loving Wife whatsoever I have given to Jeremy above with all my moveables within Door and without During her Life.
SECONDLY I bequeath unto my son Bellamy that Land his house standeth on with ye Garden and Cowyard as it now is and three quarters of an Acre next ye Orchard fence and halph my Ten-acre Lott now improved the Wester most end thereof he allowing Jeremy the use of ye Water if need so require. I allso give and bequeath to Bellamy my son my twenty-acre Lott scittuate lying and being in Bristoll afores'd and joyning to ye Lands of Samuel Gallop to ye north and to ye Land of John Wilkings on ye South, further I give and bequeath to him my son Bellamy, my three-acre Lott scittuate in Bristoll afores'd and lying between Major Church his land and an Highway running East and West neerest, together with all my meadow lying on ye south side of ye Creek al allso one third part of Poppysquash Lott and ye rest of ye Commons on ye Neck with ye north end of my Barne but not ye Cow house and my Will is that Jeremy and Bellamy allow Edward toward his building thirty shillings in work apiece.
THIRDLY I give and bequeath to Edward my Son, my Farme scittuate lying and being in Bristoll aforesaid and joyning to ye lands of Benjamin Jones on ye North and to the Lands of William Throup on the south and also that four Acres of meadow lying next Mr. Paines and my Will is that Joseph and Edward buy out Cozen Benjamin Jones and Joseph Jacob which done ye Ten Acres of upland lying before their meadow shall be equally divided between them both.
FOURTHLY I give and bequeath to Mary, my Daughter my two Acre Lott of upland scittuate, lying and being in Bristoll afores'd and joyning to the house Lott of Benjamin Jones on ye northside thereof an don ye south to ye lands o. Anthony Fry and James Adams.
FIFTHLY moreover I will that at my wives Decease then out of my Cattle and moveables Mary Lobdell shall have five pounds my Daughter Hannah Jacob six pounds, my Daughter Bridgett seven pounds;
FURTHERMORE my Will is that Sarah Lobdell have one pound and that to John and Nathan'l Lobdell shall be given ten shillings apiece. And hereby I do nominate and apoint John Cary of Bristoll to be assistant to my wife in what concerns ye full filling of this my last Will and Testament which I now Declare to be my last Will and Testament Revoling allother whatever.
Nathan'l Bosworth (sigillum.)
Witness: William Throp
John Cary
William Thrope and John Cary being sworne at ye County Court held at Bristoll ye 20th of Novembr Anno Dimo 1690 made oath that they were present and saw Nathan'l Bosworth within-mentioned and since Deced Signe, Seale, deliver and declare ye within-written instrum't to be his last Will and Testamen't being of sound mind and perfect memory.
Attests Burton Cler:
Att a County Court at Bristoll ye 20th of November Anno Dome 1690 The within written Will of Nathan'l Bosworth of Bristoll Dece'd was proved, approved and allowed of And Administration of all and singular ye geodes rights and Credits of ye s'd Dece'd was comitted unto Bridget Bosworth Relict of ye s'd Dece'd and sole Executrix in ye s'd Will named well and truly to Adminster ye same according to ye Will of ye Dece'd in Testimony whereof the seale of ye County of Bristoll p'r order of s'd Court is hereunto affixed.
P'r burton Cler
He died on Aug 31 1690 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.6,37,38 He was buried after Aug 31 1690 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.39 Tombstone stands against the south exterior wall of the present church (First Congregational Church of Bristol), having been removed there from the old churchyard. (per Mary Bosworth Clarke). He had an estate probated on Nov 20 1690 in County Court, Bristol, RI.7 He has Ancestral File number 2RN9-3G.40 He was a Carpenter.7 (per Mary Bosworth Clarke) "It is also evident from the records, that Mr. Henry Sewall had loaned money to Edward Bosworth to assist him in the expenses of the passage from himself and family, and a year later the sons - Jonathan, aged 22, Benjamin 20, and Nathaniel not quite 18, with the son-in-law, William Buckland, wre obliged to pay the debt, for the Records of Mass. [Vol. 1, pg. 152] we find: "A court holden att Newe Towne July 7, 1635...In consideration of money disbursed by Mr. Henry Sewall for the transportation of Edward Bosworth and his Famyly, it is ordered, that Jonathan Bosworth shall pay to Mr. Seawall the some of Vpounds upon the 29th of September nexte; William Buckland Vpounds on the 29th of Sept. Nathaniel Bosworth 1s (fifty shillings) att the said day, and 1s (fifty shillings) more that day twelue moneth; and Beniamyn Bosworth xxxs (thirty shillings?) on the same 29th of Sepr 3 & iiijpounds xs att midsumer nexte; all theis somes to be paide to the said Mr. Seawall. Also, it is agreed, that the forenamed pties shalbe bound one for another for the payment of the said somes att the seuall dayes of payemt. (It will be seen that the entire sume paid amounted to twenty pounds, about $100)."
He was married to Bridget BELLAMY (daughter of Jeremiah BELLAMY ) about 1644 in Hull, Plymouth Co, Mass.6,7 Bridget BELLAMY6 was born about 1621 in Hull, Plymouth Co, Mass.41 She died on Nov 20 1690 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.42 She was Cong. Church on Jun 12 1695 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.7 Extract from the records of the Cong. Church of Bristol, reads: (per Mary Bosworth Clarke)
NAME HOW RECEIVED HOW REMOVED
Nathaniel Bosworth May 3, 1687 Aug. 31, 1690 (death)
Bridget of Nathaniel June 12, 1695
Mary June 12, 1695 Apr. 21, 1735 (death)
Note: The explanation of the above is not easy to give, we can only surmise. From the date of Nathaniel's "removal" we know that this is the Nathaniel about whom we are writing, but knowing that he came to Bristol as early as 1685, and was one of the founders of the church there, we are surprised that the date when "received" into the church should not be earlier than 1687, unless the church was not organized until that time, which is probably the case. We are even more surprised that Bridget and the daughter Mary (we know it to be the daughter from the date of her removal), should not have united with the church before 1695--five years after Nathaniel's death, and he a deacon of the church. It is probable that they were members of the church in Hingham and for some unaccountable reason did not get letters from that church and join in Bristol until the date given. It will be noticed that the date of "removal" of Bridget is left blank. To my knowledge no record of her death has been found.
Father: Edward BOSWORTH b: 1589 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershie, England
Mother: Mary UNKNOWN b: abt 1591 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, England
Marriage 1 Bridget BELLAMY
Children
3.Jeremiah BOSWORTH b: abt 1649 in Hull, MA
8.Mary BOSWORTH b: abt 1657 in Hull, MA
Nathaniel Bosworth
Friday, December 21, 2007
