William Andrews (b. Bet. 1595 - 1600, d. 03 August 1659)
William Andrews19, 20, 21, 22, 23 was born Bet. 1595 - 1600 in Kingsnorth, Kent, England, and died 03 August 1659 in Hartford, Hartford, CT.
Notes for William Andrews: SOURCE: Rieg, Bernice Andrews [Livingston]; Foster, Mary Naomi [1910-1984]; Little, Edward H. 'Lineal Genealogy of William Andrews of Hartford,' Penobscot Press, Camden, ME, 1991
'Andrews' is a patronymic [son of Andrew], and Scottish roots dominate over other possible geographic origins in the British Isles. A popular name in Scotland, where St. Andrew of course is the patron saint, contariwise its occurrence in England is rare. The surname, Andrews, contains connotations of 'manly' and 'strong.'
The American line begins with William Andrews of Hartford, an original propietor, and a follower of the great congregationalist, Thomas Hooker. William served in Hartford both as school teacher and town clerk, important and responsible offices. Others of the family in America, besides being farmers, as almost all of the early people were, have been military men and small, independent businessmen.
In more than one generation, the absence or loss of the father has shown the wife or widow to be strong and capable, as will be seen.
There is much confusion regarding the wife [wives] of this William Andrews as he, an early settler of Hartford, but an even earlier resident of Newtowne [Cambridge, MA], has been mixed-up with the mariner, William Andrews of Cambridge, Mass. Many writers have accepted as fact that the Mary Andrews who died in Cambridge, Mass. 19 Jan 1639/40 was the wife of the Hartford William Andrews, and that Abigail was a second wife. This seems improbable as William of Hartford had a son, Thomas, born and recorded in Hartford 4 May 1638. After the death of his wife Mary on 19 Jan 1639/40, the Cambridge William married Reana James of Watertown about August 1640, their marriage contract being dated 11 Aug 1640. He died in 1652, leaving an only son, Samuel.
Confusion also exists as to the exact relationship [if any] between William Andrews of Hartford on the one hand, and John Andrews of Farmington [CT] and Francis Andrews of Fairfield [CT] on the other. The possibility exists that the latter two are sons by an earlier marriage of William's; it is also possible that they are younger brothers or half-brothers. There may be no relationship at all, but some kind of relationship does appear likely.
However this may be, the three sons of William Andrews by his wife, Abigail, are well established in a conveyance dated 20 Jan 1674/75, Abigail referred to the 'natural love to my son John Andrews and my son Thomas Andrews and my son Sam Andrews and my son-in-law Thomas Spencer Junior and in pursuance of the Last Will and Testimony of my loving husband William Andrews....'
In all probability, William and his family reached Hartford from Cambridge in the year 1637. As indicated previously, the birth of Thomas is recorded as of 4 May 1638. William received 30 acres of land in the 3 Jan 1639/40 division; altogether 11 parcels were recorded in the original distribution as belonging to him. His home lot was South of the Little River in land now probably included in Bushnell Park.
About six years after his arrival in Hartford, William Andrews was appointed teacher.
On 1644, William was a member of the jury...............
By the year 1659, William Andrews was sick and weak in body though not in mind; indeed, the year before John Winthrop, Jr. had called him 'senex,' a term which Winthrop rarely used for men much under 70 years of age. Obiously this problem of William's age raises again the question of his wife [wives]: at the normal age for marrying, did he marry an unknown woman by whom he had John Andrews of Farmington and Francis Andrews of Fairfield? Or were they younger brothers? Certainly John and Francis had to have some close relationship to William to explain Abigail and Elizabeth [daughters of William and Abigail] being permitted to live away from Hartford with these two younger families.
SOURCE:
William Andrews of Hampsworth, England, the Emigrant Ancestor of the family in America, sailed from Southhampton on 5 Apr 1635 and arrived at Massachusetts Bay Colony on 3 Jun 1635 on the James of London, William Cooper, Master.
10. Will; 1 Apr 1659; Hartford, Hartford Co., CT 11. Andrews, William, Hartford. Invt. £211-14-00. Taken 8 August 1659, by Edward Stebbing, George Grave, John Barnard. Will dated 1 April, 1659; I , William Andrews, being sick and weak, but of perfect membory, do this my last Will & Testament give & bequeath to Abigail, my wife, my House, Barne & House Lott as it is Inclosed between my son Edward Grannis and mee; allsoe, I doe give & bequeath to Abigail, my wife, all my Meadow & Swamp Land lieinge in the South Meadow and that lieth in the place called Hockanum, and all my Upland Ground, elsewhere, during the time of her naturall life; allsoe, I give to the sd. Abigail 2 Cowes, one yearling Calf; also I give to Abigail, my wife, fower yars of Kersey with 3 dozen Buttons and silke, and all other of my Moveable Goods, during the time that she liveth unmarried. If she marry (again), then my Will is, that such of the Moveables as she can conveniently spare shall be disposed of amonge our Children as shee seeth meete, with the advice of the Overseers. My Will is, to give my son John one workinge steer; alsoe, that Abigail, my wife, shall dispose of my Land, Meadow, Swamp, Howsing and Homelott amonge our Children to every one of them some, as shee shall think fitt with the advice and Consent of the Overseers. I doe make Abigail, my wife, Executrix, and I doe Intreat my friend Edward Stebbinge and my Brother George Grave to assist and to see this my Will performed. Witness: Edward Stebbing, (Not signed) George Grave Court Record, Page 32 - 1st Thursday, 1651: This court confirms Mr. Andrews Recorder.
Listed among those owning land in Hartford before 1653 [Mainwaring I:82] Witnessed the will of John Hopkins of Hartford, 1 Jan 1648-9 [Mainwaring I:130]
William married Mary Britton 12 on 16 May 1631 in England 1 12. (Mary Britton was born in England 12 and died on 19 Feb 1639/40 in Cambridge, Suffolk Co., MA 13.)
Documented events in her life were:
1. VR - Death; 19 Jan 1639/40; Cambridge, Suffolk Co., MA 13.
Children from this marriage were:
+ 2 M i. Thomas Andrews was born on 4 May 1638 in Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT and died in 1690-1691 in Middletown, Middlesex Co., CT.
3 M ii. John Andrews 12 was born about 1632 in Cambridge, Suffolk Co., MA 12 and died on 6 Jun 1690 in Hartford, Hartford Co., CT 12.
Documented events in his life were:
1. Mention in Will, Inv. or Prob.; 1 Apr 1659; Hartford, Hartford Co., CT 14. Only child mentioned by name in his father's will.
2. Mention in Will, Inv. or Prob.; 7 Jan 1672/73; Hartford, Hartford Co., CT 15. Received 20s. in the will of his stepmother's second husband, Nathaniel Berding.
William Andrews (b. Bet. 1595 - 1600, d. 03 August 1659)
Notes for William Andrews: