ROBERT FLETCHER [#992], b. England abt. 1592, d. Concord, MA 3 Apr 1677 aged 85.
Robert Fletcher was most likely born in England around 1592 as his will, dated 1672, gives his age then as about 80 years.[6/4:264] The name of his wife and mother of his children is unknown, but she was living when Robert made his will on 4 Feb 1672 but had died by 12 May 1677 when the will was proved. The surname comes from "Fledger", which is the name of the trade of making arrows. It is believed that Robert came from Yorkshire, a county in which the name is fairly common.[2/1]
Rev. Elijah Fletcher is said to have been the first member of the family to make an attempt to gather family records, and he believed his immigrant ancestor came from Yorkshire. As Elijah lived at a time when Robert's own great grandchildren were alive, this idea is worthy of notice.[2/1] With the exception of Henry Fletcher of Reading, Robert was the only Fletcher in Middlesex County at the time. There is no proof that he was related to Henry or any other early Fletcher settler. Robert was certainly living in Concord by 1637 and may have been there from 1635 when the town was first established. There is no evidence that he lived anywhere but in Concord, and he probably went there directly from England between 1635 and 1637.[2/2]
Concord is about twenty miles northwest of Boston. It was the first settlement in New England above tide water and was described as being "away up in the woods", when on 2 Sep 1635 the plantation at Musketaquid was granted as the town of Concord by the General Court of Massachusetts Bay. In October of the same year, Rev. John Jones with some settlers arrived in Boston, destined for the new plantation. Unfortunately the original petition and deed are missing. The church records prior to 1738 are also lost, and so a valuable source of data is closed.[2/2]
The first mention of Robert Fletcher is contained in the Massachusetts Bay Colony Records. In court held 29 ___ 1637 at Newtowne (i.e. Cambridge) Robert Fletcher was chosen and sworn constable of Concord.[4/1:206] In order to be chosen constable, it would seem that a man would have to be fairly well known to the town's people and to the court, and this seems rather conclusive evidence that Robert was amongst the earliset settlers in Concord. Two years later there was mention of Robert Fletcher again, the record being found in both the Court of Assistants and in the Colony Records, under the date of 4 Jun 1639, when he was discharged, being found not faulty. What the charge was is not given in either source.[2/23]
In 1644 a number of inhabitants of Concord went with Rev. Jones to Connecticut, leaving the town much depopulated, so much so, that those remaining asked the General Court to abate their taxes. Inasmuch as Robert Fletcher was one of those who signed the petition, hence did not have sympathy with Jones and his party, it seems possible that he did not come over from England with Jones[2/3]
In 1655 a new town book was purchased by the town of Concord to supplant the old one, all the inhabitants being required to enter their holdings in the same. Francis Fletcher is recorded as having 17 lots of 437 acres, in the eastern quarter of the town. Robert did not record any holdings. Although the present earliest book of town records for Concord begins in 1653, there is but one mention of Robert's lands, that being 5 Mar 1662. It was about this time that nearly all the inhabitants entered their holdings in the Concord Records, but there is no mention of Robert's lands, not even as a boundary. As his son Francis, the only son to remain in Concord, entered his lands in 1666, it is to be assumed that Robert had given his lands to his son by that year. Francis' land is often mentioned as a boundary.[2/9]
Other records mentioning Robert may be of interest: A petition to the General Court dated 17 May 1658, asking for the privilege of trade with the Indians, was signed by thirty-three inhabitants of Chelmsford, among them William Fletcher and Robert Fletcher. According to testimony made in 1683, and a copy presented at that time, Robert Fletcher was one of a Concord committee to lay out Major Simon Willard's enormous farm, 21 May 1660. 14 Mar 1660-1 a call was made to the freemen of Concord - that Robert Fletcher and Ensign Joseph Wheeler serve on the jury. Also a warning to both for not attending to the laying out of a highway. A petition was presented 2 Apr 1661 by Robert Fletcher "in the name of the rest" about William Borden, a brick maker, who had been warned out of town and had returned "with what he calls his wife".[2/89]
A Luke Fletcher of Concord died intestate in 1665, and as Robert was the administrator of his estate, it seems logical to assume that Luke was his son, although the possibility that there was some other relationship must be borne in mind.[2/9]
Robert Fletcher's will was dated 4 Feb 1672 and mentioned his wife (not named), son Francis and his wife (not named), and sons William and Samuel. As the eldest son, Francis received a double share and was also made executor. Overseers were "my trusty and loveing friends Deacon Robert Mirriam, Deacon Luke Potter of Concord". The will was witnessed by John Hoare and Nathaniel Stow and proved 19 Jun 1677.[6/4:264]
REF: [1] The Fletcher Genealogy - Edward Fletcher, 1871
[2] The Fletcher Manuscript - Winifred Lovering Holman, 1952
(found at NEHGS, 101 Newbury St. Boston)
[3] Concord Town Records
[4] Massachusetts Bay Colony Records
[5] Middlesex County Court Files
[6] Middlesex County Probate (First Series Docket 7913)
[7] Massachusetts Archive (119:19)
[8] Ancestors of American Presidents - Gary Boyd Roberts, 1989
(pg.24)
Children:
1. Grissell, b. abt. 1618, m(1) Thomas Jewell, m(2) Humphrey Griggs,
m(3) Henry Kibby, m(4) John Gurney, m(5) John Burge. She is said
to have been the most married woman in colonial New England
2. Francis, b. abt. 1620, m. 1 Aug 1656 Elizabeth
Wheeler, b. abt. 1638, d. 14 Jun 1704
children: (see below)
3. William, b. abt. 1622, d. Chelmsford, MA 6 Nov 1677, m(1)
Rachel ____, m(2) Concord, MA 7 Oct 1645 Lydia (Fairbanks?)
Bates, bap. Boston, Lincolnshire, Eng. 13 Jun 1622, d. Chelmsford,
MA 12 Oct 1704
4. Luke, b. abt. 1625, d. Concord 21 May 1665
5. Samuel, b. 1632, m(1) Margaret Hailstone, m(2) Hannah Foster,
m(3) Mary (Stowe) Cotton
FRANCIS FLETCHER [#496], b. England abt. 1620, d. after 1704, m. Concord, MA 11 Oct 1656 ELIZABETH WHEELER (dau. of George Wheeler and Katherine Pin), bap. Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England 3 Jan 1635-6, d. Concord 14 Jun 1704.
Francis was the only son of Robert Fletcher who remained in Concord where he farmed his father's properties and cared for his parents in their old age. Francis' name often appears in the Concord Town Records as a land owner. In 1666 he owned over three hundred and fifty acres in the east part of Concord on the road to Boston.[2/2528]
Francis Fletcher became a freeman on 23 May 1677 and on June 1 was a member of the church in Concord and in full communion with the same. He was also a Selectman and served on the grand jury. On 10 Mar 1697-8 Francis and others were summoned by a Court venire to serve on a jury of inquest on the body of Timothy Jones [Superior Court of Judicature, Files 2841, 3748].[2/29]
Francis left no will but disposed much of his land via deeds of gift to his sons Samuel, Joseph, John, and Hezekiah. The daughters probably received their portions at the times of their respective marriages. Elizabeth Fletcher died on 14 Jun 1704. Francis died sometime thereafter.[2/32]
REF: [1] The Fletcher Genealogy - Edward Fletcher, 1871
[2] The Fletcher Manuscript - Winifred Lovering Holman, 1952
(found at NEHGS, 101 Newbury St. Boston)
[3] Middlesex County Deeds
[4] Middlesex County Probate
[5] Concord Town Records
Children (all born in Concord, MA):
1. Samuel, b. Concord, MA 6 Oct 1657, d. 23 Oct 1744,
m. Concord 15 Jun 1682 Elizabeth Wheeler, b. 23 Feb
1664, d. 26 Oct 1744
children: (see below)
2. Joseph, b. 15 Apr 1661, m(1) 7 Jun 1688 Mary Dudley, d.
27 Apr 1705, m(2) Mrs. Elizabeth Carter?
3. Elizabeth, b. 24 Aug 1663, d. Concord, MA 18 Apr 1762,
m. Concord 28 Nov 1683 Samuel Stratton, b. Concord, MA 5 Mar
1660, d. Concord 30 Nov 1717
4. John, b. 28 Feb 1665, m. 18 Feb 1690 Hannah Hunt
5. Sarah, b. 24 Feb 1668, m. Ebenzer Brooks
6. Hezekiah, b. 6 Apr 1672, m. Concord 11 May 1703 Mary Wood
7. Hannah, b. 24 Oct 1674
8. Benjamin, b. 1 Dec 1677, d. Concord 28 Apr 1703
SAMUEL FLETCHER (Corporal) [#248], b. Concord, MA 6 Aug 1657, d. Concord 23 Oct 1744, m. Concord 15 Jun 1682 ELIZABETH WHEELER (dau. of Thomas Wheeler and Sarah Merriam), b. Concord 23 Feb 1664, d. Concord 26 Oct 1744.
| 124. Timothy Fletcher
|
248. Samuel Fletcher |
496. Francis Fletcher |
992. Robert Fletcher c.1592-1677 | |
| 497. Elizabeth Wheeler |
994. George Wheeler 1606-1687 | 995. Katherine Pin ?-1685 |
|
|
249. Elizabeth Wheeler |
498. Thomas Wheeler |
996. Thomas Wheeler c.1590-1654 | 997. Ann Halsey ?-1659 |
| 499. Sarah Merriam |
| |
Samuel Fletcher from Concord served at the garrison in Groton during February 1675-6 at the height of King Phillip's War. He was a freeholder at Concord 3 Mar 1689-90 and became a freeman of Concord March 22 that same year. His name appears on the Concord Venire as a trial juror 5 Jan 1693-4. Early a corporal, Samuel was also a Selectman of Concord in the years 1705-07 and 1709-13. He also held the office of town clerk there from 1705 to 1713.[1/58]
In 1718 Samuel Fletcher sued Daniel Farrar for debt. Samuel was sued by Samuel Gookin for theft of prison goods in 1720. He and Hezekiah Fletcher, both of Concord, sued Thomas Cutler for debt in 1721, and sued Jonathan Stone for debt in 1721 and Thomas Stone for the same cause in 1724 and 1725.[1/5859]
There is no will for Samuel Fletcher or his wife. However this is not surprising as he had drawn up a document in December 1729 giving most of his property to his son Samuel after the decease of himself and his wife provided the son would care for and maintain his parents. Also mentioned in this deed were his sons Joseph and Timothy.[1/5960]
REF: [1] The Fletcher Manuscript - Winifred Lovering Holman, 1952 (at NEHGS)
[2] Middlesex County Deeds
[3] Middlesex County Court Files
Children (born in Concord, MA):
1. Samuel, b. 28 Oct 1683, d. young
2. Joseph, b. 26 Mar 1686, d. 11 Sep 1746, m(1) Concord
20 Dec 1705 Elizabeth Carter, m(2) 11 Jul 1711 Hepsibah Jones
3. Elizabeth, b. 2 Apr 1688, m. Concord 26 Mar 1713 Stephen
Davis, b. Concord 30 Mar 1686, d. Bedford, MA 11 Jul 1738
4. Sarah, b. 19 May 1690, d. Grafton, MA 22 Apr 1775, m. Concord
18 Nov 1714 Ebenezer Brooks, b. Concord 14 Feb 1691-2, d.
Grafton, MA 5 Jun 1768
5. John, b. 26 Aug 1692, m. Mary ____
6. Hannah, b. 1 Dec 1694
7. Ruth, b. 2 Mar 1696-7, d. Concord 20 Jun 1700
8. Rebecca, b. 2 Jun 1699
9. Samuel, b. 27 Apr 1701
10. Benjamin, b. 20 Aug 1703, lived 19 days
11. Timothy, b. 28 Aug 1704, d. aft. 1763, m. abt. 1726
Elizabeth Chamberlain?, b. Groton, MA 18 Aug 1705
children: (see below)
TIMOTHY FLETCHER [#124], b. Concord, MA 28 Aug 1704, d. after 1763, m. abt. 1726 ELIZABETH CHAMBERLAIN?, b. Groton, MA 18 Aug 1705.
| 62. Timothy Fletcher
|
124. Timothy Fletcher |
248. Samuel Fletcher |
496. Francis Fletcher c.1620-aft.1704 | 497. Elizabeth Wheeler 1636-1704 |
| 249. Elizabeth Wheeler |
498. Thomas Wheeler 1620-1704 | 499. Sarah Merriam ?-1677 |
|
|
125. Elizabeth [Chamberlain?] |
|
| |
| |
| |
Winifred Holman makes the case that Timothy married Elizabeth Chamberlain, daughter of Edmund and Abigail Chamberlain. She seems to have drawn the conclusion from land records, but the connection is less than obvious and should be considered as very hypothetical. Soon after their marriage Timothy and Elizabeth were residents of Mansfield, Connecticut where their daughter Elizabeth was baptized. However by March 1730 they were living in Billerica, MA where Timothy had bought a house and land. He gave Concord as his residence at the time of the purchase. The following records show their changing residence: 22 Mar 1726 Joseph Slafter of Mansfield, CT for 35 pounds sold to Timothy Fletcher of Concord, MA 21 acres in Mansfield. May 23, 1728 Timothy Fletcher, late of Mansfiled and now of Concord, for 43 pounds 10 shillings sold to Perez Dimmuck and Robert Anderson, both of Mansfield, 21 acres there purchased of Slafter. 5 Feb 1729-30 Edmund Chamberlain of Billerica, husbandman, for 50 pounds sold Timothy Fletcher of Concord, 21 acres in Billerica with a dwelling house and barn thereon, bounded by Hugh Ditson and Cornet Jonathan Hill.[1/131133]
Timothy Fletcher and his family were warned from Billerica. They came to that town at the end of March 1730 and were duly warned by the Selectmen 6 May 1730. (Dated at County Court 15 Feb 1730-1). (Note: people were warned from towns if the townsmen thought the family would need town support. For instance, if a cooper were to move to a town which already had a cooper but not enough business to support two of this trade, it would warn the newcomer to move as no assistance would be provided by the town). On 6 Jan 1730-1 Timothy Fletcher of Billerica, husbandman, sold the 21 acres back to Edmund Chamberlain for 50 pounds. "...Elizabeth Fletcher the wife of me the said Timothy ... surrenders all her Right of Dower" in said premises. He signed and she made her mark. It was the inclusion of the sentence about the dower that Winifred Holman based the Timothy Fletcher/Elizabeth Chamberlain marriage on. 7 Mar 1736-7 Sampson Stoddard, Jr. of Chelmsford, gentleman, sold for 46 pounds to Timothy Fletcher of Billerica, husbandman, one share in a township which was granted unto Narragansett soldiers which lies in the County of Middlesex, called Narragansett No. 5. Timothy was subsequently warned from Chelmsford. "Caution to Timothy Fletcher with his family Namly Elizabeth Fletcher his wife Elizabeth Fletcher Sarah Fletcher James Fletcher & Joseph Fletcher his Children", July 12, 1737. Their former residence was not stated. On Dec. 28, 1738 Timothy Fletcher of Billerica, husbandman, for 65 pounds sold to William Moor, husbandman, and Matthew Campbell, schoolmaster, both of Londonderry, NH, one free right in Narragansett No. 5.[2/39:709] On Nov. 7, 1740 Timothy Fletcher of Concord, husbandman, for 25 pounds sold to Thomas Vickre, of Narrangansett No. 5, cooper, a certain homelot no. 54 there, containing 25 acres.[2/42:124] Timothy Fletcher and his wife Elizabeth were again warned this time from Hollis, NH as seen by a warning dated Jan. 25 and served Feb. 28, 1758. They had come there from Pepperell, MA Nov. 30, 1757. He may have served in the French and Indian Wars.[1/133134]
REF: [1] The Fletcher Manuscript - Winifred Lovering Holman, 1952 (at NEHGS)
[2] Middlesex County Deeds
Children:
1. Elizabeth, b. Concord, MA 23 Mar 1726-7, bap. Mansfield,
CT 30 Apr 1727, m. ____ George
2. Timothy, b. Concord, MA 2 Nov 1728, d. 1779, m(1)
Sudbury, MA 26 Jun 1755 Rebecca Stearns, m(2) Acton, MA 21 Dec
1764 Sarah Brewer, b? Shrewsbury, MA 7 Jun 1744
children: (see below)
3. Sarah, b. Billerica, MA 16 Aug 1730
4. John, b. Billerica 7 Sep 1732, d. New Ipswich, NH 14 Jan
1763, m. New Ipswich abt. 1760 Elizabeth Foster, d. New Ipswich
27 Feb 1800
5. James, b. Billerica 23 Sep 1734
6. Joseph, b. Billerica 18 Aug 1736, d. Croyden, NH, m(1) Sturbridge,
MA 11 Nov 1758 Mary Allen, m(2) Holden, MA 15 Jan 1778 Mary
(Hopkins) Crosby
7. Benjamin, b. Billerica 27 Jun 1738
8. Ephraim, b. Concord 5 Feb 1740-1, d. Newport, NH 1 Jan 1836,
m(1) Sutton, MA 7 Dec 1762 Sarah Davenport, b. Shrewsbury, MA
1 Oct 1739, d. Newport 4 Nov 1808, m(2) Joanna (____) Stratton
9. Lydia, b. Concord 5 Feb 1740-1
10. Joel, b. Concord 15 Mar 1743
11. Samuel, b. Concord 12 Aug 1747, d. Salem, NH 23 Mar 1795,
m. Lexington, MA 3 Feb 1768 Sibyl Caldwell, b. Lexington
16 May 1745
TIMOTHY FLETCHER [#62], b. Concord, MA 2 Nov 1728, d. 1779, m(1) Sudbury, MA 26 Jun 1755 Rebecca Stearns, m(2) Acton, MA 21 Dec 1764 SARAH BREWER. This is possibly the Sarah Brewer born in Shrewsbury, MA 7 Jun 1744 to William and Abigail (Garfield) Brewer. She m(2) Harvard, MA 13 Dec 1785 Thomas Willard.
| 31. Lucy Fletcher
|
62. Timothy Fletcher |
124. Timothy Fletcher |
248. Samuel Fletcher 1657-1744 | 249. Elizabeth Wheeler 1664-1744 |
| 125. Elizabeth [Chamberlain?] |
| |
|
|
63. Sarah Brewer |
|
| |
| |
| |
Timothy's first wife, Rebecca, died probably in 1764, possibly during childbirth. He married again on 21 Dec 1764 in Acton to Sarah Brewer. She is said to have died at the home of her son Timothy Fletcher at the age of 79, hence probably in Lincolnville, ME where Timothy was living at the time. She may have married again as the second wife of Thomas Willard. There is speculation that this Sarah Brewer was the one born in Shrewsbury, MA on 7 Jun 1744 to William Brewer.[1/327] No proof exists of this connection, but she does seem to be the only Sarah Brewer of record of the right age not already accounted for by some other marriage. Another possibility is hinted at by the name she gave to her first born son, Daniel Brewer Fletcher. This was about the period when middle names were beginning to be used, and often children were given the mother's maiden name as their middle name - as seen in this case. In addition, some boys were named for their mother's father. Thus Daniel Brewer Fletcher might have been the grandson of Daniel Brewer. There was a Daniel Brewer at the time who was the brother of William mentioned above. Daniel's wife was Phebe (Locke) Brewer, and she was the daughter of James and Sarah (Cutter) Locke.
This Timothy Fletcher had a long service in the French and Indian Wars. The name of Timothy Fletcher appears on a muster roll dated at Boston 2 Nov 1748 as a Centinel in Capt. Josiah Willard Jr.'s company. They were out 30 weeks from March 27 to October 26, 1748. Also the same, April 17, 1749, he served five weeks from Oct. 27 to December 4, 1748. Also the same Nov. 29, 1749, a centinel under Willard, two weeks at Fort Dummer, June 29 to July 17, 1749. Also a muster roll sworn to at Deerfield, MA Nov. 29, 1749, Capt. John Catlin's company, a centinel, served July 18 to Oct. 1, 1749. The company was billeted one half the time at Ashuelot, the rest at Northfiled.[2/92:101,185; 93:36,297] Timothy Fletcher also appears on a muster roll dated at Boston Nov. 8, 1754 in Capt. Eleazer Melvin's company, a centinel, residence Pepperell, served May 31 to October 7, 1754 under Col. Winslow in defense of the eastern frontiers. He was also paid a bounty as an old soldier, who enlisted in 1754, etc. under Melvin. Also a muster roll dated at Boston March 2, 1756 under Captains Jonathan Hoar and John Nixon, a corporal, residence Pepperell, served six weeks from April 4 to Decmeber 16, 1755 in the Expedition to Crown Point, 13 days travel were allowed from Albany to Concord. As a resident of Acton Timothy Fletcher appears April 22, 1757 in a list of men in Capt. Samuel Davies' company as per a billeting account sworn at Worcester Jan. 4, 1759, rendered by Eager of Westborough, innholder, for victualling men on their return from Lake George in 1758. There is another such account sworn to at Boston Dec. 7, 1759 by Rebecca Rice for meals given at the Inn of Jonathan Rice in Sudbury between Sept. 13, 1758 and Jan. 4, 1759. His name also appears on a muster roll dated at Boston Feb. 10, 1759 as a sergeant, residence Acton, under Capt. Daniel Fletcher, served June 26 to October 26, 1758, discharged Oct. 7. Also a return dated at Weston April 11, 1759, Col. Elisha Jones, age 31, resident of Acton, Expedition to Canada, served 1758 and had his own arms. Also a roll of men in Capt. Daniel Fletcher's company, Col. Frye, at Nova Scotia, enlisted Jan. 1, paid May 12, 1760. Also the same company, muster roll at Boston Oct. 1, 1760, sergeant served Nov. 2, 1759 to May 12, 1760 at Annapolis. A Timothy Fletcher, private, of Pepperell and Hollis, NH, also had service in the war and may have been this Timothy. The name of Timothy Fletcher, resident of Pepperell, private, appears on a muster roll dated Boston Feb. 10, 1759, Capt. Daniel Fletcher's company, Col. Ebenezer Nichols for the Reduction of Canada, served April 14, to November 10, 1758. Also a return of men enlisted June 12, 1760 under Capt. Francis Peabody, resident of Pepperell, sworn June 18 and mustered the same 1760. Also on a muster roll dated Boston April 29, 1761, Capt. Daniel Fletcher, resident Hollis, private, served June 14, to December 12, 1760, 26 weeks, 60 miles travel home allowed.[1/3278]
Timothy Fletcher has no recorded deeds or estate. He is said to have died of consumption after a long illness and to have left his widow and family destitute.[1/329]
REF: [1] The Fletcher Manuscript - Winifred Lovering Holman, 1952 (at NEHGS)
[2] Massachusetts Archives
[3] Acton, MA Vital Records
Children (by Rebecca):
1. Elizabeth, b. Acton, MA 17 Apr 1757, d. Landaff, NH 18 Feb
1823, m. Littleton, MA 28 Mar 1777 Timothy Shattuck, b.
Littleton 21 May 1749, d. Landaff 6 Dec 1822
2. James, b. Acton 6 Nov 1758, d. Acton 9 Dec 1815, m. Acton
4 May 1786 Lydia White, d. Acton 29 Dec 1828
3. Rebecca, b. Acton 10 Aug 1761, d. Stow, MA 8 Jan 1800,
m. Stow 11 Dec 1780 Abraham Whitcomb, b. Stow Sep 1758, d.
Stow 23 Nov 1843
4. John, b. Acton 26 Mar 1763, m. Elizabeth Spaulding
5. d. young
Children (by Sarah):
6. Lucy, b. Acton, MA 19 Aug 1765, d. 11 Dec 1809,
m. 19 Aug 1790 Amos Stearns, b. Chesterfield, NH
10 Jul 1766, d. 15 May 1829
7. Sarah, b. Acton 12 Oct 1766, d. Newfane, Vt. 5 Apr 1852,
m. Westmoreland, NH 19 Mar 1805 Ephraim Bruce, d. 8 May 1842
8. Molly, b. Acton 8 Feb 1768
9. Ruth, b. Acton 19 May 1771, d. after 1813, m. Harvard, MA
2 Dec 1792 William Merriam, b. Harvard 23 Mar 1771, d. Sterling,
MA Sep 1825
10. Daniel Brewer, b. Acton 18 Mar 1775, d. 1805, m. Sally
Parrish of Bridgeport, CT
11. Mary, b. Acton 14 May 1777
12. Timothy, b. 9 May 1779, d. 21 Aug 1864, m. Mary L. Brown,
d. 1828
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