Rev. William EDDY (1559 – 1616) was Alex’s 12th Grandfather; one of 8,192 in this generation of the Shaw line.

Rev. William Eddy was born about 1559 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.  His parents were Thomas EDDYE and [__?__].  He married Mary FOSTER 20 Nov 1587 in Cranbrook, Kent, England  After Mary died, he married secondly on 22 Feb 1614, Sarah Taylor, a widow.  William died 23 Nov 1616 in Cranbrooke, Kent, England.

Mary Foster was born in 19 Sep 1568 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.  Her parents were John FOSTER and Ellen MUNN. Mary died 18 Jul 1611 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.

Children of William and Mary:

	Name	Born	Married	Departed
1.	Mary Eddy	15 Sep 1591 Cranbrook, Kent, England	Simeon Merdon 1612 in Cranbrook, Kent, England	1671 Cranbrook, Kent, England
2.	Phineas Eddy	23 Sep 1593 Cranbrook, Engalnd	Katherine Courthopp 1616 in Cranbrook, Kent, England	17 Jun 1641 Cranbrook, Kent, England
3.	John Eddy	27 Mar 1597 Cranbrook, England	Amy Doggett 1619 in England	12 Oct 1684 Rehoboth, Bristol, Mass
4.	Ellen Eddy	5 Aug 1599 Cranbrook, England		Oct 1610 Cranbrook, Kent, England
5.	Abigail EDDY	1 Oct 1601 Cranbrook, England	John BENJAMIN 1619 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.	20 May 1687 Charlestown, Mass.
6.	Anna Eddy	15 May 1603 Cranbrook, England	Barnabas Wines 1632 Watertown, Middletown, Mass.	1778 Southold, Suffolk, New York
7.	Elizabeth Eddy	7 Dec 1606 Cranbrook, England
8.	Samuel Eddy	15 May 1608 Cranbrook, England	Elizabeth Savory 1630 Swansea, Bristol, Mass	12 Nov 1687 Swansea, Bristol, Mass
9.	Zachariah Eddy	Mar 1610 Cranbrook, England		1690 Cranbrook Kent, Kent, England
10.	Nathaniel Eddy	18 Jul 1611 Cranbrook, England		27 Jul 1611 Cranbrook, Kent, England

Cranbrook is an old town which sprang into prominence in the 15th century when it became the center of the weaving industry. This place, anciently called Crane-broke, derives its name from its situation upon a brook called the Crane. Several old buildings date back to this prosperous period and the winding streets, well away from any main road, are lined with weather-boarded shops and houses. The parish church, St. Dunstan’s, was built in the 15th century and is known locally as “the Cathedral of the Weald”.

William Eddye lived during the reign of Elizabeth I, Queen of England. Upon the first page of the Parish Register at the Church of St. Dunstan in Cranbrook, county of Kent, it is written by the hand of William himself, since his signature is at the foot of the page, that he was “borne in the cittie of Bristoll,” probably about 1550.

William matriculated as “sizar” at Trinity Hall, at the University of Cambridge, and there received the degree of B.A. in 1583. (A sizar is one who performs certain duties in part payment of his expenses at a school or college.) In 1586 he received the degree of Master of Arts – “magister in artibus” as he records it on the Register at Cranbrook.

In this same year, 1586, Richard Fletcher, who since 1559 had been Vicar of Cranbrook, died, and Robert Roades, the President of St. John’s College, Cambridge, was chosen by Archbishop Whitgift to succeed him.

It is likely that the archbishop had become acquainted with William Eddye and was attracted to him, perhaps because of his scholarship or personality, and invited him to accompany him as his assistant to the Parish of Cranbrook in 1586. To a young man this must have been a wonderful opportunity, this chance to work with and be the companion of one of the scholars of the day. William accepted the invitation and settled in Cranbrook.

There he met Mary Fosten and on Nov 20, 1587 he married her. Upon the Marriage Register in his own handwriting there is the following entry: “20 Nupt. Willimus Eddye in artib’ magister et Marya Fosten Virgo. Inductus autem fuit in realem actualem huius Ecclesiae parochialis Vicariae de Cranbrooke possessionem Duodecimo die Januarii, A. 1591.” Mary died in Cranbrook, July 18, 1611. William married secondly on February 22, 1614, Sarah Taylor, a widow.

Mary Fosten was the daughter of John and Ellen (Munn) Fosten, who were married Jan. 19, 1562. John Fosten died and his widow married Andrew Ruck on Jan 11, 1574. There was at least one child by this second marriage as William Eddye in his will mentions “my loving brother Stephen Ruck. ”  It is possible that Mary inherited from her father some property, which would become hers upon her marriage, so that William felt that he could marry when only a curate.  This marriage portion may be the “Annuitie of five pounds a yeare granted unto me and Mary my late wife now deceased and to the heires of our body “, whereof he makes mention in his will.

William then went to Thurston, a small parish in Suffolk County, near Bury St. Edmunds and not very far from Cambridge. There he occupied the position of curate, perhaps from 1583 to 1586, as is shown by his signature on the transcript of the Register which was sent to the Bishop’s office at Norwich. This signature was compared with those at Cranbrook and found to be the same, so there is no question concerning the identity of William the Curate at Thurston, and William the Vicar at Cranbrook.

For some reason William Eddye was in Staplehurst, a town about six miles from Cranbook in the spring of 1589, and there his son Nathaniel was born and baptized. Robert Roades died in February, 1589/90 and Archbishop Whitgift then appointed Richard Mulcaster, the Head-Master of the Merchant-Taylors school to the office of Vicar. But he remained only a year, during which time William continued as curate. Then on January 12, 1591, Archbishop Whitgift appointed William Eddye to succeed as Vicar of St. Dunstan Church at Cranbrook.

He occupied this position for 25 years until his death in 1616. Perhaps this appointment gives us the clearest picture of the ability of William Eddye which we have, in that he was deemed worthy to succeed the three brilliant and scholarly men who had occupied the vicarage for the previous thirty years. One can imagine the pride which William felt upon being chosen, when only about thirty years of age, to become the Vicar of the Church at Cranbrook, and the joy in his heart when he wrote below the record of his marriage those Latin words which when translated are “But he was inducted into the real and actual possession of the Vicerage of the Church of the parish of Cranbooke on the twelfth of January in the year 1591.”

Another proof of his installation as Vicar is a record found in the First Fruits’ Composition Books at the Public Records Office, which contains the following records: “Kent: Cranbrook Vic: Archbishop of Canterbury: December 17, 1591, William Eddye, Clerk, compounded for first fruits of the vicarage aforesaid – extending to £19.19.6 the tenth whereof 29s. 11 1/4 d., June 1 and December 1, 1592 and June 1 and December 1, 1593 £17.19.6 3/4. Bondsmen of the said William, Richard Jurden of Cranebook in Co. Kent yeoman and Robert Hovenden of the same clothier.” Every new incumbent of a feudal or ecclesiastical benefice or of an office of profit was obliged to pay to his superior the “first fruits” or in other words, the income for the first year of the benefice or office. This record shows that the income of William Eddye for the first year of his incumbency, which began on January 12, 1591 was £19.19s.6d. and that on December 17, 1591 he paid one-tenth of the stipend and arranged with Richard Jurden, yeoman, and Robert Hovenden, clothier, to act as security for his payment of the rest. It also shows that he paid the remaining amount £17.19sh 6 3/4d. in four payments, two in 1592 and two in 1593.

Previous to 1598 the Church Registers of England had been written for the most part on paper. In the latter part of that year a law was issued to the clergy that the records must be kept on parchment. William Eddye set about this task and scholar that he was, he wished it well done, so he did it himself. Eighty pages bear his signature. The book bears evidence of careful work as a scribe and it shows some skill in drawing and designing, but a critic states that the illuminations are poor when compared with the work of medieval artists, but far superior to those of the average vicars, then or now.

From the style in which he was written out the Registers it is evident that he was probably a scholar. There are other circumstances which confirm this opinion. His own motto is “Aeterna expeto” which may be paraphrased by the words “My heart is set on eternity.” The thought would rise only in a pious mind, and the expression of it in Latin, as William Eddye expressed it, would occur only to a man who could appreciate a neat Latin phrase. There are other indications of scholarly feeling in the quotations which he makes on the title pages of the separate sections of the book which contain the registers of the Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials. He quotes not only from the Scriptures, but also from the works of Cyprian and Augustine.

When he is making an entry with regard to his own family, he always uses the Latin language. It would seem as if he wished to make the record and yet was too shy to express himself in plain English. There seems no doubt that he was a good Latin scholar, who had some knowledge of the Latin Fathers. Of his knowledge of Greek it is not possible to speak with the same certainty. He speaks of himself as the “Pastor or Minister” of this Parish. If he had been a very careful student of the Prayer Book, he would have avoided the term Pastor as applied to himself. His use of these terms instead of the colorless word “Vicar” indicates that he was distinctly in favor of the Reformation. Apparently he did not go to extremes from the fact that there is no record of any disputes on religious matters in the parish while he was Vicar. Another circumstance points in the same direction. The Rev. Dudley Fenner, the Presbyterian Curate of Mr. Fletcher had named his two daughters “More Fruit” and “Faint Not”. Other Christian names of this period in our register are “Repent,” “Joy,” “Mercy,” etc. In naming his eleven children, Mr. Eddye did not follow this fashion, which was characteristic of the extreme wing of the Puritans. The names of his children are all found in the Bible except Eleanore, and yet they are names common to most families of that period.

There are other entries which tell us something of the character of William Eddye, because they are peculiar to himself: such remarks are not found in the entries made by his predecessors or successors. In the early years especially are found such additions made to entries of burials as “an honest man,” “a good woman,” “a godly and good woman,” “a good Christian,” “a most godly Chrystian.” There is evidence also that he made remarks after burials, which he afterwards thought well to erase: he may have acted prudently in doing so but posterity would gladly know what he had said about Mr. Roades the predecessor under whom probably he served. Mention has been made of his constantly falling into Latin where he wishes to record something about his own family. Generally too he uses the writing, which was in use in his time and is more like German than modern English writing. But when he is making an entry with regard to his own family it is written in the script then used for Latin. The entries with regard to the Eddy family are in a large bold hand, which catch the eye at once. It may be inferred from the remarks and the erasures that he was somewhat impulsive and from the prominence given to entries about his kinsfolk that he was greatly interested in his own family. There is, however, one entry, which stands quite by itself, and reveals to us more of the character of William Eddye than all the rest. It is moreover the only piece of continuous composition which has come down to us. For these reasons and because it contains a narrative interesting in itself, it shall appear at length in modern spelling:

In this year following 1597 began a great plague in Cranbrook which continued from April the year aforesaid unto the 13th of July, 1598.

1. First it is to be observed that before this infection did begin that God about a year or two before took away by death many honest and good men and women.

2. Secondly, that the judgment of God for sin was much before threatened and especially for that vice of drunkenness, which did abound here.

3. Thirdly, that this infection was in all quarters at that time of this parish except Hartley quarter.

4. Fourthly, that the same began in the house of one Brightlinge out of which much thievery was committed and that it ended in the house of one Henry Grynnoche who was a pot companion and his wife noted much for incontinency which both died excommunicated.

5. Fifthly, that this infection was got almost into all the inns and victualling houses of the town places then of great misorder, so that God did seem to punish that himself, which others did neglect and not regard.

6. Together with this infection there was a great dearth at the same time, which was cause also of much heaviness and sorrow.

7. This was most grievous unto me of all that this judgment of God did not draw the people unto repentance the more but that many by it seemed to be more hardened in their sin.

In the Church Registers are the records of the baptism of his children, which have proved invaluable to his descendants of later generations. It is also noted that the records in the latter part of 1610 and for nearly all of 1611 are written by another hand, and it appears that for some reason, William was away from his vicarage, or else was suffering from a long illness. This was the year in which Mary, his first wife, and also a new-born child, Nathaniel died.

From the Register, is appears that at times there were other inmates in the household of Williams besides his family and servants, for on February 10, 1599, Mistress Bridget died, about whom he wrote “she appeared a maiden and most godly Christian gentlewoman. She lodged with me at the Vicarage and there died.” There is also the entry of the death of a gentleman “who was schooling for the Latin tongue.” It’s possible that William increased the income derived from his position as a Vicar by tutoring.

William Eddy did not live long after his second marriage. Of this second marriage, there came one child, Priscilla, whose baptism is registered in the usual formal hand, and with due use of Latin to show her relationship to her father. Early in 1616, if the handwriting on the register is any indication, William was so ill that he was no longer able to perform his duties as Vicar. The next entry with regard to the family is the burial of William Eddye himself, which took place on 23 November 23, 1616.

Memorial Plaque to William Eddye – St. Dunstan Church, Cranbrook

The exact spot where William Eddye lies buried is not known. It may be beneath the chancel of the church at Cranbrook where the incumbent vicar often was buried, or outside in the churchyard where at some time a wooden cross may have marked the grave.

There was no monument remaining that bore his name till a remote descendant left by will a sum which was to be spent on the splendid memorial which now beautifies Cranbrook Church. It reads: “Dedicated by Robert Henry Eddy of Boston, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S.A., to the memory of his Ancestor the Reverend William Eddye, A.M., Vicar of this Church from 1589 [note: the date he really became Vicar was 1591] to 1616, whose sons John and Samuel, and whose daughter Abigail, were among the Pilgrim settlers of New England, and there implanted for the benefit of a numerous posterity the religious principles here taught them.”

The will of the Rev. William Eddye, Vicar of Cranbrook, Co. Kent, dated August 20, 1616 and proved December 4, 1616 in the Court of the Archdeacon of Canterbury:

In the name of God Amen the twentieth day of August 1616 and in the yeares of the Reigne of our sovereigne Lord James by the grace of God of England, Scotland, Fraunce and Ireland, King defender of the faith etc. viz of England, Fraunce and Ireland fourteenth and of Scotland the fyfteth; I William Eddye Minister and Pastor of the parrish Church of Cranebrooke in the County of Kent being at this present afflicted wth great bodely infirmities and weakenes whereby I doe assuredlie conceive that the tyme of my dissolution out of this mortal life draweth neere and is at hande have therefore determined to make and ordeine this my present last will and testament in manner and fourme followinge viz:

Inprimis, I comend my soule into the hands of almighty God my heavenlie father in Jesus Christ by the merritts of whose death and passion only my sinnes (wch I confesse to be many and great) being wholly remitted and forgotten I am fully persuaded in heart this mortal life ended to enjoy everlastinge life.

Item, I give and bequeath unto forty poore householders of this parishe that are apparentlie knowen to resort diligentlie to ye church upon the lordes day and doe live peaceablie and godlie the sume of forty shillinges of lawful money of England to be paid unto them wthin halfe a yere next after my decease.

Item, I give and bequeath unto John Eddie, my sonne the some of sixescore poundes of lawful money of England to be payd unto him by my executor in manner and fourme followinge viz threescore poundes thereof when he shall accomplish his full age of one and twentie yeares and other threescore poundes residew of his said portion wthin one whole yeare next after his said age.

Item, I give and bequeath unto Samuell Eddie and Zacharias Eddie, my sonnes to either of them one hundred pounds a peece of lawfull money of England to be paid unto them and either of them when they and either of them shall severally accomplish their severall ages of two and twentie yeares. And if it shall fortune that either of my said sonnes, Samuell and Zacharias to departe this life to Gods merie before the tyme that his or their said Legacie or Legacies shalbe due & my said son John then being livinge, then I will that he shall have Twentie poundes of his or their legacie or legacies so deceasinge to be paid unto him at his age of twentie and two years if either of his said bretheren depart this life before he shalbe of the said age. And if after the said age then to be paid him wthin one whole yeare next after the death of his brother so disceasinge. And the residew to be equally devided betweene the urvivor and my executor.

Item, I give and bequeath unto Abigail Eddie, Anne Eddie and Elizabeth Eddie, my daughters to either of them the some of one hundred poundes of lawfull money of England to be paid unto them and either of them at their severall ages of XXtie [20] years or at their severall dayes of marriage wch shall first happen. And if any of my said daughters shall heppen to departe this life to Gods mercie before the tyme aforesaid that her or their legacie or legacies shallbe due then I will that my Executor shall pay unto Priscilla, my duaghter twentie markes thereof at her age of twentie yeares or day of marriage wch shall first happen (if she shall live untill her said age or day of marriage). Also allso unto my sayd sonne, John Eddie twentie poundes thereof if he be then livinge and neither of his younger bretheren deceased to be paid unto him as the twentie poundes abovesaid lymitted out of his younger brothers portion Provided allwayes if he have Twentie poundes by the death of either of his younger bretheren he shall not have anythinge out of any of his sisters legacies aforesaid. And if either of his Sisters die first, then to have nothing out of either of his said Brothers portions. And the residew of the said legacie or legacies of my said daughters soe departinge this life I will shall remaine to my executor.

Item, whereas Sara my now wife in love and kindness to me and my other children hath promised to make up a portion for Priscilla, my daughter my great new silver salt, two silver beare cupps, two new silver wine cuppes and one greene ragge coverlett all wch I will shall be delivered unto the said Sara, my wife ymediatlie after my decease for the use of my said daughter, Priscilla to be given to the said Priscilla at such convenient tymes as she in her discretion shall thynke fitt.

Item, I further give and bequeath unto the said Priscilla, my daughter my best needle worke Cushions belonginge thereto to be delivered to the said Priscilla by my Executour at her age of twenty yeares or day of marriage wch shall first happen.

Item, I give and bequeath more unto the aforesaid John Eddie, my sonne one other suite of my needle worke Cushions viz one large and two short that were wont to lye in the chamber window over the Parlor and my greane Cupboard Cloth for the Parlor that is wrought with needle worke together allso wth my Cipres table wth boxes in it wherein I doe use to lay the evidences of his house and one faire pewter Candlesticke set forth wth a man.

Item, I give and bequeath more unto Samuell Eddie, my sonne one little sylver salt called a trencher salt to be delivered unto him at his age of one and twentie yeares.

Item, I give and bequeath more unto Zacharias, my Sonne one payer of my greatest brasse Candlestickes to be delivered unto him at his age of one and twentie yeares. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Marie, the wife of Simeon Evernden one needle worke Cushion that is wont to stand upont he Cupboard in the Parlor to be delivered unto her ymediately after my decease.

Item, I give and bequeath more unto Abigall Eddie, Anne Eddie, and Elizabeth Eddie, my daughters three needle worke Cushions viz to each of them one wch were wont to stand in the large wyndow in my parlor to be delivered unto them ymediatelie after my decease and to be reserved in their trunkes for them wch longe since I gave them.

Item, I give and bequeath unto Simeon Evernden aforesaid, my sonne in law and to my said daughter, Marie his wife twentie poundes of lawfull money in England to be paid unto them or either of them by my executor wthin fower yeares next after my decease and to their three children viz, Simeon, Katherine and Robert each of them ten shillings to be put into or bestowed upon silver spoones for each of them one to be delivered unto them within two yeares next after my decease.

Item, I give and bequeath unto Richard Taylor, Robert Taylor, Thomas Taylor, Elizabeth and Sara Taylor, the sonnes and daughters of Sara my now wife ten shillings a peece to be bestowed uppon Silver Spoones for everie of them one and to be given or delivered unto them wthin three yeares next after my decease.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my two maid servauntes viz, Marie Greene and Anne Goodman to either of them five shillinges to be paid unto them and either of them wthin one month next after my decease. The residew of all and singular my moveable goods and chattells, Bookes, Corne, Cattell and household stuffe whatsoever before herein not willed given nor bequeathed my Debts Legacies and funerall expences discharged and paid I give and bequeath unto Phinees Eddie, my Sonne whom I make and ordeine full whole and sole Executor of this my present last will and Testament.

This is the last Will and testament of me the aforesaid William Eddie made and declared the day and yeare aforewritten as touchinge the disposition of all and singular my lands Tentes and hereditaments whatsoever viz I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid Phinees Eddie, my sonne (for and towardes the better performance of my will and for the full and more absolute payment of my debts and legacies) all my messaages or Tentes, Edifices, buildings, Orchardes, gardens, rentes, annuities, landes and hereditaments whatsoever, wth all and singuler their appurtnces situate lying and being in the parish of Cranebrook aforesaid or elsewhere in ye Realme of England to have and to hold the same unto the said Phinees my sonne his heires and assignes for ever Provided alwayes and my verie will and meaning is that if the aforesaid Phineas, my sonne his heires and assignes shall make default in payment of any of the foresaid legacies before given to my sonnes and daughters, That then ymediatelye from and after any such default of payment so made contrarie to this my will it shall and may be lawfull to and for such of my sonnes and daughters as shalbe so unpaid to enter in and upon all and singuler my foresaid lands and Tentes whatsoever wth their appurtenances before given unto my sonne, Phinees, And the same to have hold and occupye and enjoy viz my Sonne, John for the full terme and space of fower whole yeares in recompence of his foresaid legacies of sixe score poundes, And my other sones and daughters everie one of them that shalbe so unpaid to enter in and upon all my said landes and Tentes wth their appurtences and the same to have hold occupie and enjoy everie one of them for the full terme and space of three whole yeares in full recompence of his her or their foresaid legacie or legacies of one hundred poundes, And this everie one of them to doe successivelie one after another as often as any of them shalbe unpaid.

Item, my will and my minde is that whereas I have an Annuitie of five poundes a yeare granted unto me and Mary, my late wife now deceased and to the heires of our bodies lawfully begotten wch said Annuitie after my decease by law will descend unto all my sonnes equally yet I by this my will have given the same unto the foresaid Phinees, my sonne now my will and true meaning is that my foresaid sonnes John Eddie, Samuell Eddie, and Zacharias Eddie and everie of them in respect of their foresaid legacies to them by me given shall at all tyme and tymes after they and everie one of them shall severally accomplish their severall ages of one and twenty yeares upon reasonable request to them and everie of them to be made by the said Phinees, my sonne his heires or assignes and at the costs and charges of the said Phinees his heires or assignes make convey and assure unto the said Phinees his heirs and assignes such assurances and conveyances for the discharging of their severall rightes, tytles and demandes of in and to the foresaid Annuities as the said Phinees Eddie his heires or assignes or his or their Councell learned shall devise, And if any of my said sonnes, John, Samuell and Zacharias shall refuse so to doe upon request made as aforesaid that then he or they wch shall so refuse shall loose the benefit of all his or their foresaid legacies before to them by me given.

Item, I will and my mind is that the aforesaid Phinees Eddie, my sonne his heires or assignes shall well and vertuouslie bringe upp the foresaid Samuell Eddie, Zacharias Eddie, Abigall Eddie, Anne Eddie and Elizabeth Eddie, my sonnes and daughters in good and vertuous education and maintaine and keepe them wth meete and suffitient meat drinke and apparell viz my sonnes untill they accomplish their severall ages of eighteene yeares except before that tyme he can place them forth in good services fytting for their degree and my daughters untill they shall severally accomplish their severall ages of eighteene yeares.

In witness whereof, I the foresayd William Eddie to everie sheet of paper of this my will conteininge sixe sheetes have set my hand and to this last sheete have also sett my seale. Dated the day and yeare first above written. William Eddie and published in the presence of John Elmestone and George Martin scriptor.

Probate was made of the will of Wm. Eddie clerk late Vicar of Cranebrooke Archdeaconry Court deceased 4th day of the month of December A.D. 1616 by the oath of Phinees Eddie the Executor. Afterwards namely the 8th day of the month of October 1617 by the Oaths of John Elmestone, George Martin, John Weller and Dence Weller the Probate was confirmed. Parties to the Sentence: Phinees the Son, sara Eddie the widow, John, Samuell & Zacharias the Sons, Marie Eddie als Evernden wife of Simon Evernden, Abigal, Anne, Elizabeth & Priscilla Eddie the daughters.

The Parsonage across from St. Dunstan Church – Cranbrook

William Eddy’s Parsonage across from St. Dunstan Church – Cranbrook

From the inventory of William’s estate it is possible to get some idea of his home. There was a hall with a large fireplace and some armor on the walls and behind it the kitchen, evidently a large room where the family ate. Here also was a large fireplace surrounded by the utensils used in cooking, many of them similar to those used in the very early New England kitchens. The kitchen had two cupboards, one of wood and the other, either with a glass front, or else made for holding glassware. The shelves were filled with pewter dishes and there were several pieces of brass. On this same floor opening out of the hall and kitchen were several other rooms. First of all there was a parlor which was well-furnished. There were curtains and “mappes” and pictures on the walls, a carpet on the floor, tables, chairs and cushions for further comfort and decoration. Then there were six chambers, the Chapel chamber, which was his own and which he probably used for his study and work, a parlor chamber, a hall chamber, a kitchen chamber, a maid’s chamber, and another over the shop, which seemed to have been used partly as a storeroom, as was also the shop below. Beyond the kitchen were the regular outbuildings, one where the meal was sifted and then stored and where the loaves were kneaded, another building where the ale and other drinks were brewed and a third where the products of the dairy were cared for and stored. The three buildings generally adjoined the kitchen, while the other outbuildings were entirely separate. There were several of these besides the barn and the woodhouse.

An Inventory of the goods and Chattells of Mr William Eddy Minister and Preacher of the word of God in Cranebrooke taken the sixth day of December 1616 and apprized by those whose names are here underwrytten:

Imprimis his purse and Gyrdle and money in his purse in the hall = xs

Item a litle square Table a standerd a Corslet two Pykes a houlberd and a warbyll = xxiiijs

Item two great brandyrons in the Kitchin = xs

Item a table a frame wth an olde forme a ioynd Cubberd wth a deske and a Cubberd Cloth and a Cushion uppon yt = xls

Item a glasse Cubberd, a Cage two small Chyres wth certaine shelves a pewter Cesterne wth a frame to yt = vjs viijd  iijs iiijd

Item three spitts wth Chowies two yron Dripping pans two pothangers one brand yron a plate to sett before meate an yron peele a grydyron a toasting yron a skymmer a fyre a payre of tongs and a payre of bellowes = vxs

Item 2 brasse ketles, a brasse pan 5 brasse stepnets a Chaffer, a warming pan 3 brasse potts a Cullendr two Chafindishes 4 latten Candlestickes two hanging Candlestickes a brasse morter 2 brasse potlidds 2 brasse ladles a basting ladle and a skimer = iij ijsviijd

Item 2 lytle yron Pottes = iiijs

the Pewter
Item one Bason & Ewer 2 other basons vii; platters a dozen of large pewter dishes a dozen of smaller dishes 2 plates 1q saucers 3 porrengers 2 salts one double candlesticke 4 other candle- stickes a pynte botle 6 potts litle & great, 2 Chamber potts = lvjs vjd

Item 2 Curtayne Rodds & a plate to warme meat = ijs vjd

Item 2 dogwheeles & a Chayne 12li-o4-o8 = xs

in the boulting howse
Item an oulde kneadyng troughe, a boulting hutche, a great peele, a boulter, a meale bag a Renning Tubbe, a Racke & other small things = vs

in the brewhouse
Item a furnace a brewing Tunne, two great keelers a soping keeler a malt quearne & other olde Tubbes & 4 pales = xliijs iiijd

Item an olde Coope & a meale sacke = ijs

in the buttry
Item one Cage, a mustard quearne a Tobut, 3 halfe kilderkins a Tunnell 3 dozen of Trenchers a stalder and a lanterne = xvs

in the Parlour
Item one long table wth a frame and two fourmes 2 Square tables and Cushion Chayre wth a wrought backe, one turned Chayr, 6 mockadow Cushions 6 high ioynd stooles 2 dornix Curtains a Curtaine Rod vij mappes & pictures wth one Curtaine = iijli xs

Item a Carpett 3 needleworke Cushions and one needleworke Cubberd Cloth = lvijs iiijd

in the Shoppe and an other Roome thereto adioyning
Item an olde Table, ij Cradles one still two trendles, one Settell 2 sadles wth their furniture, one Pillioniijli

Item a parcell of bordes & Joystes =  xxijs

Item a barrow a Corne sive and two whipletrees  = vjs viijd

Item in butter & cheese =  xxxs

Item a chiesepresse and Chieseboles a Churne a garden Rake a spade a two hand sawe & an axe  = xjs

in the Seller
Item a bryne tubbe & a dozen of trugs & bowies  = xs

in the Chamber over the Shop
Item in bordes to the value of  vli

Item one halfe headed bedstedle an olde Table wth tressells & a fourme 2Ili_16_10 = iiijs vjd

in the hall Chamber
Item one high ioynd bedstedle wth two setles a Truckle bedstedle two standerds a small Table wth a frame & a forme, a spruce boxe uppon a frame one ioynd chest, a Truckke a litle turnd Chayre and two Cushion stooles = vjli xvjs

Item a small needle worke carpet a stander Cloth bordered wth needle worke, a long needle work Cushion and 2 smaller needle worke Cushions = iiijli

Item a fetherbed & bolster a Tapistry Covering & a payre of Curtaines & the vallance = vijli

in the Parlor Chamber
Item a ioynd bedstedle wth two setles a truckle bedstedle, a ioynd presse, one chest a stander and a deske = iiijli vjs viijd

Item a fetherbed & bolster, 3 needle worke Cushions, a purrell Cushion, a Slander Cloth a payre of small brandyrons wth Copper heades and a fyre slyce =vli

in the Chappell Chamber
Item a ioynd bedstedle wth vallance and Curtayns a greene Rugge a ioynd Chest a turnd Chayre and a bedmat = iijli vjs viijd

Item his wearing apparell lynnen & woollen = xli

Item his bookes in the Studye and the shelves and a Chayre =xxiiijli

in the Kitchin Chamber
item a great ioynd Chest, a borded Chest a small sauare Table with a frame and a Setle =xvs

in the Maydes Chamber
Item a bedstedle wth a halfe head and a Truckle bedstedle, a Childes bedstedle a Stander two Chayres & a litle Table = xiiijs iiijd

The Lynnen as followeth
Item a payre of fyne sheetes 6 payre of Course sheetes 4 halfe sheetes a dozen of fyne Table napkins a dozen of newe napkins a fyne large Towell and a Table cloth, a small Diaper Table cloth a drinking Cloth, a payre of fyne pillow Coates 6 olde napkins a payre of course pillow coates & 6 Course Towells = vijli xvijs

Item 2 payre of shetes & one odde shete more £74_08_08 xiiijs

The bedding
Item fower flockbeds and fower bolsters 3 fether bolsters 3 Coverings 9 blankets and 3 pillowes in the Gallet and a lowe Roome = vijli ijs vjd

Item 4 scarves of malt = iijli iiijs

Item an olde sydesadle & a basket cradle =iijs iiijd

Item an Osle hayre = iiijs iiijd

in an outhowse
Item a Capon Coope = vjs viijd

Item 3 loades of postes & rayle = xxiiijs

in the Barne & other outhowses
Item 20 loads of hay or thereabouts = xvili

Item in barley to the value of =xvjli

Item a Fanne a Corne sive 6 Rakes 3 forkes & 2 ladders = xs

in the Closes
Item 14 loads of wood & fagots = vli xijs

Item a parcell of Joystes & bordes = iiijli

Item certaine small pieces of Tymber = xxs

Item a gutte to carry water into the brewhowse = xxs

Item 4 hogges = iijlivjsviijd

in the workehowse
Item the Copper & fate = xxli

Item the Kitte & jacke & scranes and other ymplements = xvs

in the fields
Item 6 kyne & a Calfe = xxijli

Item 2 mares = viijli

Item 13 sheepe = iiijlixs

Item an olde Hardle & a Taynter = vli

Item the wheate uppon the ground = viijli

Item in lumber and other small thinges unnamed £128-17-06 xs

Item one beare Cup 0f silver and two wyne Cuppes and a salt seller = xijli

Item in redy money = iiijli

Item in Debts by bonds & bills = clxxxjli

Sume totall is £434-07s-08d

William Hartredge
John Stoogull
Symeon Evernden
George Martin

After William’s death, his widow Sarah continued to live in Cranbrook. It would appear that Sarah had children of her own from a previous marriage and that they did not get along with William’s children. Zachary Eddy, in his oration in 1880, states that Phineas had a fight with one of them in the churchyard. When Sarah died, she left no property to any of the Eddy children and since her own daughter, Priscilla Eddy, is not mentioned in her will, she must have died in childhood. Sarah herself died between August 1, 1637 (date of her will) and February 5, 1639/40 (date it was probated).

Children

1. Mary Eddy

Mary’s husband Simeon Merdon was born 1590 in Cranbrook, Kent, England

2. Phineas Eddy

Phineas’s wife Katherine Courthopp was born 1594 in Cranbrook, Kent, England. Her parents were Peter Courthop and Ann Sheaffe. Katherine died 1639 in Cranbrook, Kent, England.

Phineas was a taylor,

3. John Eddy

John’s wife Amy Doggett was born 16 Jul 1597 in Groton, Suffolk, England. Her parents were John Doggett and Bathsheba Fay.  Amy died 20 Aug 1683 in Rehoboth, Bristol, Mass.

John was admitted to the Watertown Church prior To March 1632/3

5. Abigail EDDY (See John BENJAMIN‘s page)

6. Anna Eddy

Anna’s husband Barnabas Wines was born 1600 in Cranbrook, Kent, England. Her parents were Charles Wines and Prudence Beacon.  Barnabas died 1679 in Suffolk, Long Island, New York.

Barnabas Wines was admitted a Freeman of Watertown, MA, on May 6, 1635.  He appears in the records of Southould, NY from 1654 -1679.   His will speaks of a son, grandson & great-grandson all named Barnabas Wines.

8. Samuel Eddy

Samuel’s wife Elizabeth Savory was born 1607 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Mass. Her parents were Thomas Savery and Mary Woodrorke.  Elizabeth died 24 May 1689 in Swansea, Bristol, Mass.

In accordance with his father’s will, his brother Phineas Eddy was to care for Samul’s education and apprentice him to some trade, and he learned the trade of a tailor. Upon reaching the age of twenty-two years he was to receive by inheritance £100. So in May of 1630 he must have received this sum and probably used a goodly portion of it to pay his passage to America.

Samuel came to New England with his brother John on the Handmaid under John Grant, leaving the port of London on August 10, 1630 and arriving at Plymouth Harbor on October 29, 1630 after a very stormy twelve weeks at sea. Both Samuel and John, rated as “gentlemen,” intended to join their distant connections, the Winthrops and the Doggetts, who had come to New England earlier in this same year and who had settled at Boston. However, even though Miles Standish personally escorted them to Boston, Samuel and John were not permitted to remain because they had neglected to obtain testimonial letters from the Plymouth Colony, dismissing them from that colony to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The brothers returned to Plymouth with Miles Standish. John and his family returned to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the winter of 1631/32 having procured the necessary letters from Plymouth. Samuel decided to remain in Plymouth.

Soon after arriving at Plymouth, Samuel must have taken an apprentice boy to teach him the tailor’s trade, unless perhaps he had brought him from England, for the records state that on January 10, 1632/3:

Thos Brian, the serv’t of Samuell Eedy wsa brought before the Gov. and Mr. Will Bradford, Mr. John Done, Stephen Hopkins and Wiliam Gilson, Asst. because the said Thomas had runne away and absented himself five daies from his master’s service & being lost in the wood & found by an Indian, was forced to returne & for this his offense was privately whipped before the Govr & Council aforementioned.

What remained of Samuel’s inheritance after paying for his passage must have been nearly all spent when he purchased the property on Spring Hill from Experience Mitchell, who came in the Anne in 1623 This place was then on South Street and is now No. 34 and 36 Market Street. The deed was dated May 9, 1631.

Experience Michell, sould unto Samuell Eeddy his dwelling house, garden plott fence, wth all things nailefast in ye same; for ye summe of twelfe pounds starling, as apears more at large by a writing under their hands to which ffrancis Eaton was witness. Only this was excepted by ye above said Experience Michell, so much of ye said garden plote as lyeth between ye ende of ye house ye streete; throw which notwithstanding he was to allow ye said Samuel a convienient way of Pasage, and to fence ye said goud (thus excepted) at his owne charge to maintaine ye same.

Samuel thus acquired a house, perhaps a home for his bride. He lived there from 1631 to 1645. With the purchase of this property, he also acquired whatever rights went with it as a landholder in Plymouth. Thus it is that six years later on November 7, 1637, Samuel received three acres of land at New Field, which was set off to him by the town. “The persons mentioned had divers porcons allowed them 3 acres in breadth and 2 in length next to the land of John Dunham the elder…to Samuell Eedey, 3 acres…all wch psons have or are to build in the towne of Plymouth and these lands to belong to their dwelling houses there and not to be sold from their houses.”

On January 1, 1632/33, Samuel Eddy was admitted to the “freedom of the colony” and received the oath. A list of the names of the “Freemen of the Incorporation of Plymouth in New England” dated 1633 contains the name, Samuell Eddey. On January 2, 1633 the “persons were rated for the public use”, that is, the tax was assessed. Samuel Eddy’s tax was 9 shillings, the lowest tax assessed to any man. On March 24, 1633, the lists were again made up. Samuel’s tax remained the same. A list taken March 7, 1636 contains the name of Samuel.

Sometime before 1637 (birth of first child), Samuel married. His wife’s name was Elizabeth, though her maiden name is uncertain. Elizabeth has been called sister of Thomas Savory of Plymouth, based on relationships stated in deeds. Unfortunately for this argument, one of these deeds does not state the connection; the deed from Thomas Savory to Samuel Eddy of February 20, 1662 does not refer to Eddy as “brother-in-law”. The later deed, by the widow of Thomas, does refer to “our brother-in-law Samuel Eddy”, so the identification certainly remains possible. Note also that Eddy and Savory were granted lands jointly in 1664, although these lots were all granted to pairs of individuals, not necessarily related. If Thomas Savory was a brother-in-law of Samuel Eddy, either he married Samuel’s sister or Samuel married his sister. Thomas Savory’s wife was named Ann. Samuel Eddy had a sister Anna, but there seems to be no doubt that Anna Eddy was the wife of Barnabas Wines. If Samuel’s sister Anna was the wife of Barnabas Wines, then she was obviously not the wife of Thomas Savory, and therefore Samuel Eddy’s wife according to this theory was Elizabeth Savory, sister of Thomas.

However, there is also a mystery about Samuel Eddy appearing on a list of June 3, 1662 of “first born children” who received land purchased by Major Winslow and Captain Southworth. The list is a bit misnamed, for the original act from Plymouth Colony Records provdes that “such children as are heer borne & next unto them such as are heer brought up under their parents…be provided for…before any that either come from England or elsewhere.” A good reason can be found for virtually all the names on the 1662 list. The “first born” seems to be any needy child (or a parent for the child) of those who were in Plymouth by 1627. One person on the list does not fit the pattern, William Pontus, but it might be supposed that he was included because he and his wife were of the Leiden Separatists and needed land. Some men are on the list because they married “first born” children, such as William Hoskins (married Sarah Cushman), William Nelson (Martha Ford), George Partridge (Sarah Tracy), and Andrew Ring (Deborah Hopkins). Edward Gray was the only person receiving a double share, and he was the husband of Mary Winslow, daughter of two Old Comers (Mary Chilton and John Winslow). But why was Samuel Eddy’s name on the list?

Samuel did not qualify for including by any right of his own. Therefore, it is reasonable to suppose that he qualified by right of his wife, and that she must have been the daughter of some Old Comer family. Which Old Comer families had daughters named Elizabeth who cannot otherwise be accounted for? Only one. William Bradford’s account says thatt “Thomas Rogers dyed in the first sickness, but his sone Joseph is still living, and is maried, and hath six children. The rest of Thomas Rogers children came over, and are married, and have many children.” Yet not all of Thomas Rogers’s other children at Plymouth have been identified. Besides Joseph, who came over with Rogers, his son John came over about 1630, but that is all that is known about his children in New England. Leiden records show that Rogers also had in Holland Lysbeth (Elizabeth) and Grietgen (Margaret). It might seem reasonable then to think that Samuel Eddy’s wife was Elizabeth Rogers.

Elizabeth, whether Savory or Rogers, was twice summoned to appear before the Court of Plymouth. It is recorded that on “October 7 1651, Wee further present Elizabeth Eeddy, Sen’r of the towne of Plymouth for laboring, that is to say, for wringing and hanging out clothes on the Lord’s day, in time of publicke Exercise.” She was fined ten shillings, but this fine was remitted. Again on May 1. 1660, it is recorded that “Elizabeth Eedey was summoned to this court, and appeared, to make answare for her traueling on the Lord’s day from Plymouth to Boston; and affeirmed that shee was nessesitated to goe on that day, in regard that Mistris Saffin was very weake and sent for her, with an earnest desire to see her, in her weakness with some other pleaes of like nature. The Court considering some cercomstances in her answare, although they saw not sufficient excuse for her act therein, saw cause to admonish her and soe shee was discharged of the Court.”

Samuel was granted three acres “next to the lands of Joh. Dunham the elder,” November 7, 1636. On July 6, 1638 Samuel Eddy sold to Richard Clough for forty bushels of Indian corn “all that his house and garden in Plymouth wherein the said Samuel now dwelleth”. On the same day Nicholas Snow sold to Samuel Eddy for the same amount “all that his house & garden adjoining with the fence in & about the same in Plymouth wherein the said Nicholas now dwelleth”.

In 1640 with several of his neighbors, Samuel bought a large tract of land of the Indians and founded the town of Middleborough. His portion included several hundred acres in the northern section of town and a part of the town of Halifax, and there as his descendants multiplied grew up the little village of Eddyville.

“Six acres of upland lying on the northwest side of Fresh Lake, about the fishing place, and thirty acres of upland at the Narragansett Hill, and four acres of meadow, or else half the meadow ground there to it,” were granted to Samuel on September 16, 1641. Fresh Lake is better known by the name of Billington Sea. Narragansett Hill was the high land to the west of the town, where a battle between two Indian tribes, the Narragansetts and the Pochanockets, had occurred. On March 7, 1642/3, John Allen sold to Samuel Eddy “all that his house, barns & buildings with the lands thereunto belonging lying at Willingsly and Woeberry Plain”. On March 3, 1645/6 Samuel Eddy sold to John Tompson “all that his house situate at the Spring Hill in Plymouth with the garden place adjoining and three acres of uplandÉlying in the Newfield”. On March 20, 1647/48 “Samuell Eedy” sold to Experience Mitchell of Duxbury “one acre of marsh meadow”.

As early as March, 1651 Samuell Eddy had “interest and proprieties in the town’s land at Punckateesett over against Rhode Island,” and on March 22, 1663/4 he and Thomas Savory were jointly recorded as the holders of Lot #3 on “Puncateesett Necke”. On July 14, 1667 Samuel Eddy was granted six acres of meadow “lying at the South Meadow Brook”. On August 5, 1672 “the swamp at Wellingsley lying up the brook” was granted to “the neighbors there,” being five men including “Samuell Eedey”.

On November 29, 1652 Samuel Eddy was a witness to a deed for the purchase of lands from the Indians, “Wosamequen and Wamsutta my sonne,” by Bradford, Standish, Winslow and others. This land is now the town of New Bedford.

On June 7, 1659, “Samuell Eedey”, was one of five men “desiring some proportions of land to accommodate them for their posterities. The Court giveth liberty unto them to look out a tract of land for that purpose, and if found convenient it shall be confirmed unto them for the ends aforesaid.” On June 3, 1662, Samuel’s name was in the list of those permitted to “look out some accommodations of land, as being the first borne children of this government.”

On February 20, 1662 Thomas Savory of Plymouth, planter, deeded to Samuel Eddy of Plymouth, tailor, “all that his whole right part and portion of the land belonging to the town of Plymouth aforesaid commonly called and known by the name of Punckateesett, and places adjacent lying over against Road Island,” in exchange for “a parcel of upland and meadow belonging to the said Samuell Eedey lying at the four mile brook in the township if Plymouth aforesaid, as also a parcel of upland being six acres lying and being at or near Fresh Lake in the township of Plymouth.”

On March 24, 1662 “Samuell Eedey seni[o]r” of Plymouth, tailor, granted “unto his two sons viz: Zacariah Eedey and Obadiah Eedey all that his share lot and portion of land which he hath in the land granted and confirmed by the court in June last past before the date hereof, unto sundry persons, lying near unto Namassakett,” to be equally divided between them, reserving “unto his own use six acres of the upland of the said lot of land,” this six acres to belong to our sons Zachariah and Obadiah at his death, and that they permit him to winter three cows on their share of the land; ” it was mutually agreed before the ratification of the premises by and between the said Samuell Eedey and Zachariah Eedey that in case Caleb Eedey shall desire a quarter part of the abovesaid land he shall have it”; acknowledged February 26, 1672.

On March 7, 1671/2 Samuel Eddy of Plymouth, tailor, sold to Steven Bryant Senior of Plymouth, husbandman, “all that my one share of land be it more or less divided and undivided that I have in a certain share or tract of land called the Major’s Purchase lying at or near Namassekeesett Pond”; acknowledged by Samuel Eddy and Elizabeth his wife on the same day. On February 16, 1673/4 the town of Plymouth noted that “land which Samuell Ryder bought of Samuell Eedey lying at Mannomett Ponds” was still common land, according to the records searched.

So far as is known Samuel Eddy held no public office. This was due probably to his youth and inexperience with conditions in a colony which had been established for ten years when he joined it, and as time went on the care of his family occupied his entire attention. Though Samuel was of gentry status and though he received land grants, he did not seem to prosper in Plymouth, as can be seen from his putting his children out as servants. In the first years of his sojourn in the new colony, there was probably very little opportunity for Samuel to ply his tailoring trade, which in England at that time was so profitable. Instead it was necessary for this young man to wrest a living for himself and his family from the soil, a calling for which he doubtless had no preparation. For these reasons and perhaps for others Samuel and Elizabeth found life in the new country very hard, so that by 1638 they were rated among the “poore of the town.” In the spring of 1624 Edward Winslow returned from a trip to England and brought with him the first cattle introduced into the Colony, and a letter from James Shurley, one of the merchant-adventurers, presenting a heifer, with its increase, as a gift for the benefit of the poor of the town. Each year the “poores stock” as it was called, was assigned to those who needed it.

At a meeting of the Townesmen of New Plymouth held at the Governor’s the XVIth day of July 1638, all the Inhabitants from Jones River to the Eele River being Éthereunto To consider of the disposal of the stock given (by Mr. Shurley of London) to the poore of Plymouth who had playnely declared by severall letters in his owne hand writing that his intent therein was – wholly to the poore of the Town of New Plymouth.

In the division of the “poores-stock” in July 1638, it is stated that Samuell Eddy as one of the “poore of the town of New Plymouth received four shares in the black heiffer, which was Henry Howland,” that is the one which Henry Howland had had the previous year and was now holding. From some of the records it would seem that they had to pay a small sum which might be termed a year’s rental, but in many cases there is no reference to any such payment. Perhaps those that were too poor had their share in the heifer free of charge. At various times in the next few years, Samuel Eddy’s name appeared in the lists of those who received a share in the “poores-stock.”

In July 1644 it was voted “For the ordering of the poores stock, Edmond Tilson and Samuell Eedey are to have the cow at Edmund Tilsons betwixt them, but Edmong to have two parts and Samuel one part & Edmond to winter her and Samuel to pay his part thereof.”

Again in July 1646. “The cow calf that came from Tilson was sould to John Dunham and Sam Eedey at 18 sh. John Dunham hath paid his part…and Edey still is debtor.”

In 1648 when the “poores stock” was called, one cow was “in the hands of John Dunham and Samuell Eedey. The increase thereof a yearling heifer and a bull calfe.” The value of these was £3, 4 shillings.

From this time Samuel’s affairs began to improve; for the next year, “John Dunham had the cow that he and Samuel Eedy had before” and after this Samuel has no more of the “poores stock” assigned to him.

In addition to the heifer in which Samuel Eddy had shares he had the use of a furnished pasturage for four goats and a lamb, and he had a dog which was not loved by all of his neighbors as it was by his own family. [See An Elegy on the death of Samuel Eddy’s Dogfollowing.]

On December 7, 1641, Thomas Sheriff (Shurtleff?) and William Brown complained against James Laxford in an action of trespass.” They attached four goats which were in the hands of Samuell Eedey and Joshua Pratt amounting to 33 shillings.

On August 4, 1646 “it was decided in the case betwixt Sam’l Edey and John Dunham, Jr. about ye said John Dunham’s giveing poysen to the said Samuel Eddys Dogg, the Court having taken the same into consideration upon hearing what could be said upon both sides the Court doth order yt ye said John Dunham shall find sureties for his good behavior unto the next Court.” Later in the same year it is recorded on October 27, 1646 “In a case of difference twixte John Dunham, Jun’r and Sam Edie, the court orders, & the said John Dunham agreed thereunto, that Mr. Wm. Paddie and John Cooke, Jun. shall heare & determine all former civill differences twixte them to this present day.” [See An Elegy on the death of Samuel Eddy’s Dog following.]

During these years of struggle, Robert Hicks, a neighbor and friend died. In his will, probated May 24, 1647, he left to Samuel Eddy a “payer of my wearing stockings,” not such a small gift as it would seem, when the scarcity of wool in a new settlement and the labor of carding it and the final knitting of the wool into stockings is taken into consideration.

These years from 1638 to 1649 are the years in which his five children were born and in which he apprenticed the oldest son John to Francis Goulder of Plymouth, and sons, Zachariah and Caleb, to John Brown of Rehoboth.

Memorand: that Samuell Eddy hath put his sonn, John Eddy, to dwell with Francis Goulder, and Katherne, his wyfe, vntill he shall accomplish the age of xxjtie yeares (being seaven yeares of age the xxvth of December, last past) and said Francis, and Katherne, his wyfe, fynding vnto the said John, their servant, meat, drink, and apparell during the said term, and either in the end thereof, or else at the term of the death of said Francis, or of the said Katherne, his wyfe, whether shall last happen, to pay him five pounds in country pay, or, if it pelase God so to disable the said Francis, or Katherne, his wyfe, that they shall not be then able to pay so much then to pay him s much as I shall haue left: And if it happen that both the said Francis, and Katherne, his Wyfe shall dye before the ende of the said terme, that then the said John shalbe at liberty to be disposed of as his parents shall think fitt; but if either of them doe live out the said terme, the said John to dwell with the longer liuer of them vntill he shall accomplish the age of xxjtie yeares as aforesaid. Dated April 3, 1645.

Whereas Samuell Edeth, & Elizabeth, his wife, of ye towne of Plymouth aforesaid, having many children & by reason of many wants lying upon them so as they are not able to bring them up as they desire and out of ye good respect they beare to Mr. John Browne, of Rehoboth, one of ye assistants of this government, did both of them jointly desire that he, ye said Mr. Browne, would take Zachery, their son, being of the age of seven yeres & bring him up in his imployment of husbandry, or any business he shall see meete for ye good of their child till he come to ye age of one & twenty yeres, whereupon Mr. Browne did in ye presence of Mr. Bradford Governor, take unto his service the said Zachary & promiseth to provide for & allow him during ye said terme all necessaries convenient & fitting such a servant according to ye state and condicon of ye country & doth further of his own will provide that if in case he, ye said Mr. John Browne & his wife, shall depart this life that said Zachary shall attaine to ye end of his time of service that then his eldest son, that shall haue the government of him during the residue of ye said time not attained unto, shall not make sale of ye said residue of time not attained unto nor any part thereof to any person or persons whatsoever whereby he shall or may be wronged: and if it shall so come to passe that those to whomsoever he shalbe committed unto, after the death of ye said Mr. John Browne & his wife, shall not deal well with him, as such servant ought to be dealt with, thereupon the complaint of any of ye friends of ye said Zachary shalbe and take him wholly away & place him with whom they shall see meete, provided that no sale or merchandise be made of ye remaine of his time by any. Dated March 2, 1946/7.

On March 4, 1652, Caleb Eddy, aged 9 years, was “to be taken by Mr. John Browne of Rehoboth…who was to bring him up in his Imployment of husbandry (or any other business).”

There were several other items in the records, of minor import, but which serve to give a glimpse into the daily life of the family in Plymouth.

In October 1646 Samuel was absent from the town meeting, but was present in December of the same year. On September 1, 1640 the order went forth that “every inhabitant of every Towne within the Government fitt and able to beare armes must be trayned.” In 1643 Samuel was enrolled as a person capable of bearing arms and was made a member of a troop enrolled for the defense of the Colony against the Indians. In June 1668 it is recorded that Samuel voted in a town meeting in Plymouth.

In 1646 it is recorded that “ffrancis Eaton, carpenter, owed Sam Eedy £2.” Perhaps Samuel had been making some clothes for the Eaton family.

On June 26, 1678 the town of Plymouth allowed five shillings to “Goodman Edey viz: Samuell Edey for work done by him in time of the war in making clothes for soldiers.”

On May 29, 1670 an exact list of all the names of the “Freemen of the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth,” contains the name of Samuel Eedey. This list was made because the towns of Middleberry and Swansea had been incorporated and all those freemen, who had taken up residence in either were listed as freemen of those towns and no longer as belonging to Plymouth. Samuel remained in Plymouth. His son Zachariah was listed as a resident of Swansea but neither Caleb nor Obadiah appear on the lists, as they had not at this time qualified as freemen.

On August 5, 1672 “The Swamp at Wellingsley (a section to the south of the town) lying up the brooke is Graunted wholly unto the Neighbors living there, viz. John Jourdain, Gyles Rickard, Jun., Nathaniel Morton, Sen’r, Abraham Jackson and Samuell Eedey.”

On June 27, 1677 Samuel’s name appears as a proprietor of land in the Township of Middleborough, but this term proprietor does not mean that Samuel was a resident of Middleborough, but only that he was an owner of property in that town.

On June 25, 1678, it was voted that “The collectors to Gather the minnesters maintainence for this year are William Clarke and Abraham Jackson who are to doe it on the same conditions as it was performed the last yeer: …. five shillings was allowed to Goodman Edey, viz. Samuell Edey for work don by him in time of warr in makeing Clothes for Souldiers.” At this time Samuel was seventy years old. Though he could not fight as a soldier, he cold aid by using his hands in helping to make the clothes for the fighters, thereby finding a use for the trade he had learned in boyhood.

9. Zachariah Eddy

Sources:

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=12120769&st=1

http://www.eddyfamilyassociation.com/williameddy.htm