Edward Converse and Sarah
Husband Edward Converse
Born: Christened: 23 Mar 1589 - Navestock, Essex Died: 10 Aug 1663 - Woburn, Middlesex Co., Ma 1 Buried:
Father: Allen Converse ( -1636/1639) Mother: Joanna ( -1602)
Marriage: Bef 14 Oct 1632
Other Spouse: Sarah Parker (1592-1625) - 29 Jun 1614 - Great Burstead, Essex
Other Spouse: Joan Warren ( -1680) - 9 Sep 1662 - Woburn, Middlesex Co., Ma 1
Wife Sarah
Born: Christened: Died: 14 Jan 1662 - Woburn, Middlesex Co., Ma 1 Buried:
Children
1 M Samuel Converse
Born: Christened: 12 Mar 1637 - Charlestown, Massachusetts Died: Buried:
General Notes: Husband - Edward Converse
The following is on page 93 of an article by Douglas Richardson in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register (Vol 153 (1999), pgs 81-96). The article is entitled "THE ENGLISH ORIGIN AND ANCESTRY OF THE PARKER BROTHERS OF MASSACHUSETTS and of their Probable Aunt, Sarah Parker, Wife of Edward Converse".
In 1630, Edward Converse immigrated with the Winthrop Fleet to New England, settling initially at Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he operated a ferry between Charlestown and Boston. He was admitted as a member of the Boston church in the fall of 1630.[56] He requested to become a freeman 19 October 1630, and was admitted 18 May 1631.[57] He married second, SARAH _______, shortly before 14 Oct 1632, when they were dismissed from the Boston church to participate in forming the new Charlestown church.[58] He served as selectman at Charlestown, 1635-1638, and grandjuryman there in 1638. In 1640 Edward and Sarah removed to Woburn, where he was a commissioner to end small causes in 1643, and deputy to the General Court in 1660. Following the death of his second wife there 14 January 1662 [presumably 1661/2 intended],[59] Edward married, third, at Woburn, 9 September 1662,[60] JOAN (or JOANNA) (WARREN) SPRAGUE, daughter of Richard Warren of Fordington, Dorset, and widow of Lieut. Ralph Sprague of Fordington St. George, Dorset, and Charlestown and Malden, Massachusetts.[61]
Edward Converse left a will dated August 1659, proved 7 October 1663, naming his wife, Sara; sons, Josiah, James, and Samuel Converse; daughter, Mary Sheldon; the children of his daughter, Mary Thompson; grandson, Edward son of James Converse; kinsmen, Allen Converse and John Parker; and kinswoman, Sara Smith.[62]
Joanna, the widow of Edward Converse, died at Charlestown 24 February 1680/1,[63] and in her will dated 24 February 1674[/5], proved 15 June 1680, named her sons, Phineas, John, Richard, and Samuel Sprague; her daughter, Mary Edmunds; and [her grandchild], Mary, daughter of Daniel and Mary Edmunds.[64]
Footnotes:
56. Richard D. Pierce, ed., The Records of the First Church in Boston 1630-1868, 3 vols. (Boston: Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Volume XXXIX Collections, 1961), 1:13.
57. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 5 vols in 6 (Boston: Press of William White, 1853-54), 1:80,366.
58. Boston Church Records [note 56], 1:16. It seems reasonable to assume that Edward Converse's second wife, Sarah, was a Boston church member in her own right before he married her. Church records show only he was admitted as a member in 1630, whereas in 1632, both Edward and Sarah were dismissed as members when they left to form the new Charlestown church -- facts which suggest that their marriage took place in New England between 1630 and 1632. If so, then Sarah's identity might be discovered through an examination of Boston church membership lists for the period 1630-1632.
59. Woburn VRs, 7:39.
60. Woburn VRs, 3:59.
61. The Great Migration Begins [note 4], 3:1728-1731, sub Sprague.
62. Middlesex County Probate Frle 4920.
63. Woburn VRs, 7:39.
64. Middlesex County Probate File 4930. See also Peterson, "Edward Converse," [note 7] Register, 146 [1992]: 130-132; Charles A Converse, Some of the Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Converse, Jr., 2 vols. (Boston: Eben Putnam, 1905), 863; Anderson, The Great Migration Begins [note 4], 1:459-462 (re Converse) which conflates the first and second wives of Edward Converse into one person.
SAMUEL SEWALL:
The following is based on pages 7-14 of Samuel Sewall's History of Woburn, which can be seen online at
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/AFJ7759.0001.001/28?rgn=full+text;view=image;q1=Town+Orders
In June 1629 a surveyor from Salem laid out the new town of Charlestown in two-acre lots, and in July of the following year a large group of Puritans who had arrived the preceding month in Salem from England came to Charlestown from Salem to populate and develop the new town. In 1640 the town petitioned the General Court for additional land, and it received a grant of 4 miles square.
On November 5, 1640 "the Church of Charlestown chose seven men, viz: Edward Convers, Edward Johnson, Ezekiel Richardson, John Mousall, Mr. Thomas Graves, Samuel Richardson and Thomas Richardson, as commissioners or agents for the erection of a church and town upon the recent grant of Court, where had been designed originally only a village within the limits of Charlestown."
Soon the idea arose of establishing a new town apart from Charlestown.
"About this time, they commenced a series of meetings, held in rotation, at their respective houses in Charlestown, for consulting on the affairs of the contemplated town, and adopting measures in reference to its settlement. Their first meeting for these purposes was held December 18th, at the house of Mr. Thomas Graves, when they agreed upon Town Orders (Appendix No. 1), and chose Edward Johnson Recorder or Town Clerk. At like meetings in the two following months, they admitted many to set down their dwellings in the proposed plantation; though some of them (to use the words of the Recorder), " being shallow in brayns, fell ofe [off] afterwards." And, on February 10th, 1640-1, they built a bridge over the Aberjona River for their own and the public accommodation, and perhaps too as an earnest of their resolution to go up and possess the land. This bridge, the first that was built in Woburn, they called Cold Bridge. It was in after times better known as the " Convers' Bridge," from the name of the proprietor of the adjacent mill; and as it is said in the records to have been laid "over against Edward Conuars' hows," it is inferred that that house, which continued many years in the occupation of that distinguished family, and the site of which is still well remembered, was either already standing when the bridge was built, or that it was erected immediately after, and before the entry just quoted from the records was made; and that it was the first built dwelling-house in Woburn."
Edward Converse continued to play an important role in the development of the new town and is frequently mentioned in Sewall's history of Woburn.
GREAT MIGRATION BEGINS:
The following is from Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633:
EDWARD CONVERSE
ORIGIN:
South Weald, Essex
MIGRATION:
1630
FIRST RESIDENCE:
Charlestown
REMOVES:
Woburn 1640
OCCUPATION:
Ferryman. 14 June 1631: "Edw: Converse hath undertaken to set up a ferry betwixt Charlton & Boston, for which he is to have 2d. for every single person, & 1d. apiece if there be 2 or more" [MBCR 1:88]. On 1 April 1633 "There is 11s. 5d. allowed to Edward Converse for ferrying officers over the water" [MBCR 1:103]. (See also MBCR 1:230, 290, 297.)
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:
Admitted to Boston church as member #66, which would be in the fall of 1630 [BChR 13]; "Edward Convers and Sarah his wife" dismissed 14 October 1632 to participate in forming new Charlestown church [BChR 16]; Edward and Sarah "Convers" admitted to Charlestown church as founding members, 2 November 1632 [ChChR 7].
FREEMAN:
Requested 19 October 1630 and admitted 18 May 1631 [MBCR 1:80, 366].
EDUCATION:
Signed his will.
OFFICES:
Elected Charlestown selectman 10 February 1634/5, 13 February 1635/6, 17 February 1636/7, 12 February 1637/8 [ChTR 13, 16, 24, 34]; chosen grandjuryman from Charlestown, 12 February 1637/8 [ChTR 34]; chosen by Charlestown to carry a petition to the General Court, 17 February 1636/7 [ChTR 24]; held numerous minor offices in Charlestown, many of them related to laying out land, including service on a committee to "go up into the country upon discovery," 11 July 1635 [ChTR 15].
Coroner's jury on death of Austen Bratcher, 28 September 1630 [MBCR 1:77]. Jury "in an action of battery, complained of by Thomas Dextor against Captain Endicott," 3 May 1631 [MBCR 1:86]. Committee to set out the bounds between Charlestown and Mr. Cradock's farm, 7 October 1640 [MBCR 1:304]. With Lt. Sprague, to "repair the bridge at Meadford, over Mistick River," 10 December 1641 [MBCR 1:343]. With Simon Willard, sent to investigate Shawsheen, 14 June 1642 [MBCR 2:11]. Commissioner to end small causes at Woburn, 10 May 1643 [MBCR 2:35]. Committee to lay out the way from Cambridge to Woburn, 10 May 1643 [MBCR 2:36]. With Ralph Sprague to view the bridge at Mystic and report repairs needed, 6 May 1646 [MBCR 2:149]. Deputy to General Court for Woburn, 30 May 1660, 19 December 1660 [MBCR 4:1:417, 449].
On 10 March 1661/2, in the process of deposing about grants of land in Woburn, "Edward Converse aged about 73 years & John Mousall aged about 66 years" stated that they were "two of the selectmen of the town of Woburne from the beginning of the plantation to this present time" [MLR 2:197].
ESTATE:
Granted two acres planting ground in Charlestown, 10 January 1634/5 [ChTR 12]; in 1635, along with several others, relinquished five acres of his grant on Mystic side [ChTR 14]; on 9 February 1635/6, listed with hay lot #56, four acres [ChTR 19, 20]; granted five acres on Mystic side, 6 March 1636/7 [ChTR 27]; in 1637 and on 30 December 1638 listed as holding five and a quarter cow commons [ChTR 32, 42]; granted parcels of thirty-five and eighty acres on Mystic side, 23 April 1638 [ChTR 36].
On 22 June 1635 Edward Converse sold to Thomas Brigden two acres with an old house, as a result of which Converse was granted two acres at "Wenotomies River" [ChTR 14].
In 1638 Charlestown Book of Possessions Edward Converse held thirteen parcels of land: one rood of ground in the middle row "with a dwelling house, store house and other appurtenances"; five acres arable land in East Field; one acre and a half arable land in East Field; three acres meadow in South Meadows; one acre meadow in South Mead; five and a quarter milch cow commons; two acres meadow in Line Field, with a parcel of upland adjoining; eight acres arable land in Line Field; three acres meadow "lying on the north of Mount Prospect"; five acres woodland in Mystic Field; thirty-five acres woodland in Mystic Field; eighty acres of land in Water Field; and five acres woodland in Mystic Field [ChBOP 6-7].
On 6 March 1649 Edward Converse of Woburn, having "formerly given & granted" to Ezekiell Richardson of Woburn, late deceased, twelve acres of meadow and upland at Three Brothers Brook, now confirms the same to Richardson's executors and heirs [MLR 2:71]. On 7 June 1651 Edward Converse of Woburn, yeoman, sold to Henry Brooks of Woburn seven acres at Horn Pond River in Woburn; "Sara Convers," wife of Edward, acknowledged this deed on 15 August 1651 [MLR 1:90].
In his will, dated [blank] August 1659 and proved 7 October 1663, "Edward Convers of Woburn" though "weak of body" bequeathed to "my beloved wife Sara Converse" £10 a year for her life, £5 from "my son Josiah Convers" and £5 from the mill; to my wife "such rooms to live in during her life in the house I now live in as she shall make choice of and ten of the apple trees in the old orchard ... a fourth part of all my moveable goods"; to "my son Josiah Convers" the house wherein he now liveth and appurtenances, and the land in the great field, and the meadow, and for want of heirs of Josiah the same to go to "my son James Convers his son Edward Convers" and for want of heirs, to be divided equally between the rest of my son James his children; to "my two sons Josiah and Samuel" the field, my mill and mill house and appurtenances; to "my son Samuel Convers" my house wherein I now dwell and all the land behind the house and all the plowable land on the north side of blind bridge and the adjoining meadow [paper is damaged]; remaining lands equally divided between Josiah, James and Samuel, except the timber on the pasture lands, James shall have no part therein; if my son Samuel die without issue, his share divided between "the children of my daughter Mary Thompson"; to "my son James Convers" £30; to "my daughter Mary Sheldon" 20 marks; to "my kinsman Alin Convers" £10; to "my kinswoman Sara Smith" £5; to "my kinsman John Parker" 40s.; sons Josiah and Samuel executors; son James Converse, "my kinsman Alin Convers, and my kinsman John Parker" overseers [MPR #4920]. (A bequest to a son, of meadow, is in fragments in the margin.)
In her will, dated 24 February 1674[/5] and proved 15 June 1680, "Joanna Convers widow to Edward deceased sometimes wife of Lieutenant Ralph Sprague" wished to be buried "by my children" and bequeathed to "my daughter Mary Edmands" household goods; to "my son Phinehas Sprague" household goods "at his father's house"; to "Mary Edmands, daughter to Daniell & Mary Edmands", household goods; residue to my children equally, "John Sprague, Richard Sprague, Samuel Sprague and Mary Edmands" [MPR Case #4930].
BIRTH:
Baptized Navestock, Essex, 23 March 1588/9, son of Allen Converse [see discussion below]. He deposed 10 March 1661/2 aged about 73 years [MLR 2:197]
DEATH:
Woburn 10 August 1663.
MARRIAGE:
(1) Great Burstead, Essex, 29 June 1614 Sarah Parker [NEHGR 146:130]; she died Woburn 14 January 1662[/3?].
(2) In 1663 Joanna (Warren) Sprague (widow of RALPH SPRAGUE); she died Woburn 24 February 1680 and called herself "Joannah Convers widow to Edward deceased sometimes wife of Lieutenant Ralph Sprague" in her will [MPR Case #4930].
CHILDREN:
With first wife
i JOSIAH, bp. South Weald, Essex, 30 October 1618 [NEHGR 141:131; Converse Gen 863]; m. Woburn 26 March 1651 Hester Champney.
ii JOHN, bp. South Weald, Essex, 29 November 1620 [NEHGR 141:131; Converse Gen 863]; no further record (unless this record is really for James, immediately below).
iii JAMES, b. about 1621 (deposed 4 April 1660 aged 39 [Pope, presumably citing Middlesex Court Files]); m. Woburn 24 October 1643 Ann Long.
iv SARA, bp. South Weald, Essex, 2 June 1623 [NEHGR 141:131; Converse Gen 863]; no further record (unless this record is really for Mary, immediately below).
v MARY, b. say 1625; m. (1) Woburn 19 December 1643 Simon Thompson; m. (2) Woburn 1 February 1658/9 John Sheldon (recorded in Billerica).
vi SAMUEL, bp. Charlestown 12 March 1636/7 [ChChR 47]; m. Woburn 14 October 1660 Judith Carter.
ASSOCIATIONS:
Edward Converse called Allen Converse "kinsman" and made him an overseer of his will. "Kinsman" John Parker was presumably related to Edward's first wife.
SAMUEL FULLER in his 1663 will speaks of "a child committed to my charge called Sarah Converse." Since Fuller also had in his household two members of the family of RICE COLE of Charlestown, it may be that this Sarah Converse was a member of the family of Edward Converse or in some other way related.
COMMENTS:
The search for the English origin of Edward Converse presents an interesting story. For many years it was believed that Edward was derived from a Convers or Conyers family in Northamptonshire, and this led to various royal descents. But an extensive appendix to the second volume in Charles A. Converse, Some of the Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Converse, Jr. ... (2 vols. [Boston 1905], cited herein as Converse Gen), provided data on a Converse family which was spread over several parishes in southwestern Essex. This appendix does supply the origin for Edward Converse, but was clearly not known to the compiler when he produced the first volume. Because this material is separated by hundreds of pages from the account of the family in New England, many later investigators have overlooked this data.
The baptismal dates for the children of Edward and Sarah Converse, both in South Weald and in Charlestown, deserve some comment. On 4 April 1660 Josiah Converse gave a deposition in which he stated his age as 41, which is in precise accord with his baptismal date. On the same day James Converse deposed that his age was 39, which would be the correct age for the John Converse, son of Edward, baptized on 29 November 1620. This suggests strongly that the South Weald register entry is defective, and causes us to look closely also at the entry for the next child. There is no further record for the Sarah baptized on 2 June 1623, but she would be just the right age to marry in 1643, as did Mary Converse.
Assuming that all this is correct, and the three baptisms in South Weald correspond to the three children who sailed to New England in 1630, then we have a gap of fourteen years between the baptism of the last child in England and that of Samuel in Charlestown in 1637. This might in some cases suggest that Samuel was by a second wife, but there is no evidence whatever that this is the case.
Edward Converse was in the 1630 list of those admitted as inhabitants of Charlestown [ChTR 5], and was included in lists of inhabitants dated 9 January 1633/4 and January 1635/6 [ChTR 10, 15].
On 1 September 1635 Edward Converse posted bond of £10 for WILLIAM DIXON. When Dixon fled the jurisdiction, Converse forfeited the bond, and in the general amnesty of 6 September 1638 he was remitted £2 of the forfeiture [MBCR 1:154, 244].
1
Edward F. Johnson, "Vital Records of Woburn, Massachusetts," 1890, Repository: http://ma-vitalrecords.org/.
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