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Descendants of Thomas Blanchard

Generation No. 1

1. THOMAS¹ BLANCHARD died 5 21 1654 in Malden/Essex, MA ¹. He married (1) ELIZABETH. He married (2) AGNES BENT 5 15 1637 in Salisbury/Wilt, England ².

Notes for THOMAS BLANCHARD:
The literature is full of fancy regarding the origins of Thomas Blanchard and possible relationships between him and other Blanchards found early in New England. One popular assertion is that Thomas was a Huguenot. The evidence points away from that assertion, as will be shown. This paper is the result of much personal study and a concerted effort of Blanchard descendants who belong to an Internet discussion group. We are still searching for the ancestry of Thomas Blanchard.

Thomas’ first wife appears in the Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire, England Parish Records. Her maiden name has not been discovered. The baptisms of seven of their eight known children are found in these same Parish Records. There is a gap in the records that occurs at the time their eldest son George was born. Elizabeth’s burial is found there as well, on July 23, 1636.

Within the year he married Agnes (Bent) Barnes, widow of Richard Barnes at St. Edmund’s. His marriage license calls him yeoman and widower, of Clatford, Co. Southampton, a parish two miles south of Andover. The title of yeoman denotes a land holder. This status would be an expensive procedure, most probably documented were he not a natural citizen. We shall see shortly that Thomas did not appear to be a wealthy man.

Agnes’ son, Richard Barnes, would later bring a law suit against Thomas Blanchard in New England. (Henry F. Waters, “The Journey of the Jonathan to New England,” NEHGR, Vol. 32 (1878): 407.) From testimonies given we learn that, upon the death of her husband, Agnes was encouraged by her father to give her son Richard L20. Agnes had gotten Thomas’ agreement to this disbursement prior to their marriage. The money travels from hand to hand through Agnes’ brother John Bent to Peter Noyes of Penton England. Peter Noyes had sold land to Widow Bent for L80 and came to New England. He later returned to England and was indebted to Widow Bent for the L80.

"It was the summer of 1638... In the nine years since the dissolution of Parliament, more than fifteen thousand persons had followed Governor Winthrop overseas…

“The Bay colonists did not, like the Plymouth Pilgrims, chiefly thirst for religious freedom. They wanted liberty of thought and action, economic and political. Theocracy came later, and that was, one feels, a product of the intellect rather than of the spirit... (Ferris Greenslet, The Lowells and Their Seven Worlds, Boston (1946): 8-10.)

The great tide of Western travel had begun to subside. Thomas was probably about forty years old and was surely inspired to join his countrymen in the New World by the tales of his brother-in-law, John Bent and his friend, Peter Noyes who had been to New England. (Allen H. Bent, The Bent Family in America, Boston (1900): 11; Waters, “Journey of the Jonathan,” 408) Greenslet says, “It would have taken months to prepare and assemble the equipment that families brought with them to establish their lives in the new world.” (Greenslet, The Lowells, 9) Nicholas Noyes testified that, “Old Goody Bent came up from Andeuor to London in a waggon with the carryers, And Thomas Blauchard tooke care of her and her goods from Andouor to the ship and she was with Thomas Blanchards family about a month at London, and that there was a gathering among christians in england to help him over.” (Waters, “Journey of the Jonathan,” 411.) They sailed by the ship Jonathan, which they took at London on April 12, 1639 after waiting a month for her to set sail.

The ship’s list included the Lowell party of sixteen; Percival and Rebecca, their sons, John and Richard, their wives and four children, their sister Joan and her husband John Oliver, his partner, William Gerrish, his clerk, Anthony Somerby with his brother Henry and Richard Dole who was apprenticed to John Lowell. (Greenslet, The Lowells, 10.) The Noyes party included Mr Noyes, John Waterman, Nicholas Noyes, Doreyti Noyes, Abigale Noyes, William Stret, Peter Noyes, anie bent Elezabeth plemten, Richard barnes and agnis Blanchet. The fare was L5 each. Thomas Gould, Samuell Hides and “ffrances the wyfe of goodman Cooke of Charlestowne” testified that they were on board with Thomas Blanchard. (Taken from the Middlesex county Court Files; Waters, “Journey of the Jonathan,” 409, 410.) Thomas’ son Samuel documented his presence in a journal he kept. (George Dana Boardman Blanchard, “Blanchard Family Records,” NEHGR, Vol. 60 (1906): 373.) It is not known whether Thomas’ other sons, George, Nathaniel and Thomas, came at this time or at a later date.

“The Jonathan, like the other transports of the Bay colonists, would have been a ship of two hundred tons or so with an overall length of one hundred feet ... There would be two or three very small cabins for important passengers, sardine-like accommodations in the hold for a hundred more, and the deck room for cows and other domestic animals. The voyage could be hopefully expected to last not more than five or six weeks…” (Greenslet, The Lowells, 10.)

The trip over was apparently a rough one. We know that Thomas lost his wife, an infant child and his mother-in-law, the Widow Bent. His wife and child were sick and the party took a collection on board for a maid to attend to her and to Agnes Bent, his mother-in-law. On her death bed Agnes asked that Thomas see that her children receive their inheritance. Thomas Gould shared an adjoining cabin and verifies that Thomas Blanchard personally attended to Agnes more than did the maid. They reached Boston on June 23, after a voyage of nine weeks. (George D. B. Blanchard, “Blanchard Family,” 373.) Thomas is said to have carried Agnes Bent ashore for burial.

Thomas took inventory of the estate of George Browne, Newbury, MA in 1642. (MA, Essex Co., Ipswich Deeds, Vol. 1, leaf 5.) He settled at Braintree some time afterwards but had no land granted to him there. He was witness to a deed at Braintree in 1648 (MA, Braintree Records, pg.3.) when Henry Flint sold a house to Dr. John Morley. He remained in Braintree until 1651. He then removed to Charlestown where he bought land of Rev. Wilson on February 12, 1650/1. (MA, Suffolk Co., Deeds, i. 223.) Thomas is believed to have owned and operated a dairy in or around Boston.

Thomas Blanchard married a third wife, Mary Shrimpton sister of Henry, soon after reaching New England. She survived him and was mentioned in his will, dated May 22, 1652, proved June 20,1654. He died May 21, 1654 at Charlestown. (MA, Middlesex Co., Probate Records, no. 1920.)

“ After the death of Thomas Blanchard, in 1654, the house and lands were divided between two of his sons, George and Nathaniel; and the latter in 1657 sold one-half of his land to their younger brother, Samuel, who was then building a second house on one acre of the land ‘called & known by the name of the flax ground, lying length ways betwixt the high way side, and some Swamp or waste ground.’ ” (MA, Middlesex Co., Deeds, ii. 51, 96; Deloraine Pendre Corey; The History of Malden, MA, Malden (1899): 58.)

Will of Thomas Blanchard of Charlestown:

“I, Thomas Blanchard, of Charlestowne, being weake in body, but through mercy in Sound memory, do make this my last will & testament. Vnto my wife, Mary Blanchard, and my sonne, Nathaniell, the Vse of the new End of my dwelling house, and the dairy house dureing the life of my wife; also, vnto my wife, eight Cowes, whereof three or fower are called and knowne by the name of her Cowes, also I give vnto my wife, free Sumer feed and winter Stower or food for the said eight Cowes, or so many other Cowes to be kept and prvided for, by my Executors in all Respects in matter of food among their owne Cowes. I give vnto my wife, fifty bushels of Corne a yeare, dureing her life, to be payd by my Executors yearely, at or before the first of the 2d mo. in wheate, Rie, pease, barly and Indian, in Equall prportions; also, I give my wife one of the beds I now ly on, with all things apprteyning there vnto, as also one third part of all other my househould stuffe (excepting the bedding) to be sett out, or apportoned by my overseers. I give my wife, my old mare, the aforesaid Cowes, househould stuffe & mare to her and vnto and her heyres for ever. I do dispose and betrust Biniaman Tompson, vnto and with my wife to prvide for, and bring vp in learning (at her owne pleasure) so as to fit him for the vniversity, in case his parents please to leave him with her, & shee live to that time. I give vnto my Sonne, Samuel, besides all former giftes now in his hands, the Sume of four score poundes, whereof thirty pounds to be payd in cattle, vpon valluacon of my overseers, at or before the first of the 9th month next after my decease, and ten pounds in Corne, at or before the first of the second month following, and ten pounds a yeare, in cattle or Corne, at or before the first of the 10th month, for the space of fower yeares following. Igive vnto my Sonnes, George & Nathaniell, all my farme, houseing and appurtenances after my decease, vnto them & their heyres forever, excepting as before expressed to the Vse of my wife. I give vnto my Grand Child, Joseph Blanchard, my two teate heiffer, to be kept for his vse by my Son, George, his father. I give vnto my Reverend & welbeloved Friend, Mr Mathews, one Cow, and to the Church of Mauldon one Cow, and to Jno Barrit, 40s. I give vnto my sonne, Nathaniell, my Colt to Run with the dame vntill the first of the 10th mo. next; also, I Give vnto Nathaniell, my six workeing oxen, but Bucke & Sparke to be none of the six, & to George, my horse. All other my estate of what kind soever not before disposed of, I give vnto my Sonnes, George and Nathaniell (my debts and Funrall Charges first discounted) who I do make Joint executors vnto this my last will & testament. I appoynt my welbeloved Friends, Mr Edward Collines, & Mr Joseph Hills my overseers, to whom as a Remembrance of my love, I give 10s a peece, beside what my Executors shall allow for their paines on their occasions: who also I do appoynt & impower to approportion the land and estate hereby disposed of an need shalbe, and to Settle all other things that may be of doubtful vnderstanding, as to them shall seem Just, and equall, for the establishment and prservacon of peace, love and vnity amoung all my relacons.
the marke of
Tho: X Blanchard
& a seale.

In the prsence of
Willm. Seargeant, the mark of Jno BARRETT, Joseph Hills.

Memr. that wee, Edward Collines & Joseph Hills, who tooke in breife notes from Thomas Blanchards mouth the prticrs expressed in this Will, did Vnderstand the reservacon of his wives dwelling in the house, and prvision for eight Cowes to be dureing the time of her Widow-hood & not otherwise: witness or hands this 22 3d mo. 1654.
Joseph Hills
Edwaard Collines.

At a County Court held at Charlestowne, the 20th 4th mo. 1654, Mr Joseph Hills, Mr William Sergeant and Jno BARRETT, attested vpon oath, that the above named Tho: Blanchard, deceased, being of sound Judgement & good memory to their best knowledge, made this his last Will & Testament.

A true Inventory of all the goodes, lands and estate of Tho: Blanchard, of Charlestowne, deceased the 21. 3d mo. 1654, by Joseph Hills, Edward Collines.

Debts owing by ye testator to Mr Shrimpton, Mr Ozban, Rich: Wallis, old Burton, Will: Holloway, Tho: Wibourne, Leivt: Cooke, M^R Stoddard, Edmund Jacson, Will. Davis, Tho:Clarke, Joseph Rocke, Mr JnO Clarke, Tho: Eames, to Parker, Mr Edward Collines, Joseph Hills, Tho: Danforth.

Charlestowne - 20th 4th mo. 1654. George Blanchard desposed to the estate of his father, Thomas Blanchard.” (Wm. B. Trask, Esq., “Abstracts of the Earliest Wills From the Records and Files at East Cambridge, Mass., in the County of Middlesex,” NEHGR, Vol.17, (1863): 156.)

More About THOMAS BLANCHARD:
Rem from: Braintree.

More About ELIZABETH:
Burried: 7 23 1636, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England ³

Notes for AGNES BENT:
From a micro-film compiled by Waldo C. Sprague of Wollaston, Mass. and
includes families from 1640-1850 from "old" BRAINTREE and the modern
towns of RANDOLPH, HOLBROOK and QUINCY after the separation from Braintree in 1792-3.

The original records by Sprague were put on 6,196 5x8" index cards and
they were micro-filmed. This micro-film is one of the most asked for at
the N.E.H.G.S. in Boston and also at the Quincy, Mass. Hist. Society.

701R
"His second wife was widow Ann (or Agnes) Barnes of St. Edmunds,
widow of Richard Barnes, and daughter of Robert & Agnes (Gosling)
Bent of Penton-Grafton, Hants. She was baptized there July 16,1602
and married Thomas Blanchard May 15,1637 at St. Edmunds, Salisbury,
Wiltshire.

701
For references to Agnes (Bent) Barnes and her son Richard see: Bent
Fam. in America, 1900, pp.10-11; N.E. Reg. v.3, p.267; N.Y.C. B. & G.
Rec. v.37, p.142; Newton Gen. 1915, p.62."

"Anne Barnes, of Way-hill, in Hampshire - gave to her son, Richard Barnes, L20 sterling. Likewise, Anne Bent, grandmother to sayd Richard, did hive him L16 sterling. Said sums are committed to John Bent, with whom said Richard hath been mainteyned, hitherto, since his coming into N. England, Wch is about 7 yeares.

"Thomas Blancher, having recieved said Richard Barnes as his Apprentice, withall vndertaking the Guardian-ship of the sayd Richard during his Nonage, desires sayd John Bent to give security to sayd Barnes for the dilivery to him of the said sums of money at his age of 21 yeares. 2d of ye (4) 1646,
                        Signed,       Tho. Blaunchee,
      Peter Mayes.                  John Bent.
Abstract from Thos. Blancher's Petition to the Govr and Assistants at Boston, in Schuett Archives, Vol. IX."
NEHGR, Vol 9, Oct 1855. pg 371.

More About AGNES BENT:
Baptism: 7 16 1602 ⁴

Children of THOMAS BLANCHARD and ELIZABETH are:

GEORGE² BLANCHARD, b. Abt. 1622, England ⁵; d. 3 18 1699/00, Charlestown/Middlesex, MA ⁶.

Notes for GEORGE BLANCHARD:
"George Blancher testifieth That he this Deponent liued about four monthes in a part of the howse with Thomas ffaxon *** this being in the winter 1651. Dated 29th of the 2nd mo 1653." ("Notes - Braintree, Mass. Items," NEHGR, Vol. 62 (1908): 94.)

There is much controversy about the marriage(s) of George Blanchard. Torrey (Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Baltimore (1985): 76.) gives Mary as the name of George’s first and second wife. "Wyman in his ‘Charlestown Estates’ is in error when he places Elizabeth Hills as the wife of George (2) Blanchard. George had a large family among whom were two daughters Hannah and Elizabeth, but neither they nor their father had any connection with Dunstable. He always lived in Charlestown and was twice married but the name of neither wife has ever been ascertained." (J. Crawford Hartman, “Hartman Articles,” Boston Transcript, March 1, 1941.) I have found no evidence of any reference to the name of any wife of George but have chosen to trust that Torrey had some proof.

George lived in his father’s farm on Wilson’s Point with his brothers, Nathaniel and Samuel. Nathaniel sold one quarter of his share of the farm to John Guppy. The selectmen of Charlestown were kept busy with ongoing border disputes between the Blanchards and Guppy from 1661 through 1694. (MA, Charlestown Records, iv. in loco June 25, 1694.) There was a slight change in the proceedings in 1672, when the selectmen issued an order in relation to George Blancher, ‘in not providing for his family as also his neglect of Educating his children in the knowledge & feare of god.’ (MA, Charlestown Records, iii. in loco April 24, 1672.) "After the many settlements of their fences, and the laying out of the road there, the dwellers at Wilson's Point became as peaceable as their neighbors on the other side of the North River." (Corey; The History of Malden, 487, 488.)

George died in Malden (now Medford) Mar.18,1700 age 82 (gravestone) or 84. (Roger D. Joslyn, Vital Records of Charlestown, MA, Vol. I, Boston, (1984): 182.)

George’s will was contested and not proved by the court. Probate Records for George tell us:

"At a council held at the Council Chamber in Boston on Thursday ye 7th day of June 1688

" present
His Ex’cy Sr Edmund Andros Knt &c
Joseph Dudley Edwd Randolph
Wm Stoughton Esq Francis Nichols Esq
Wait Winthrop Samll Shrimpton
John Allen

"Upon the desire of George Blanchard of Charlestown who being very aged and unable to manage his Estate, that some persons may be appointed to order and assist him therein, and nameing Lt Col Charles Lidgett of Boston & Mr Joseph Wright of Woobourne Ordered that they have the care and oversight of his Estate and that no part thereof be alienated and disposed of but by their consent
A true Copy as appears of Record
Examd per
J Addington, Sec’y
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Middlesx ss Charlestown june ye 22: 1700--

"We whose names are hereunto subscribed, viz William Johnson, John Green, Isaac Hill, Phineas Upham and John Greenland being chosen by ye Honorable James Russell Esq Judg of Probate &c to make distribution of ye estate of George Blanchard late of Charlestown deceased intestate: to those to whom it doth of right belong acording to law

"We have devided ye farm into two devisions or shares As followeth, that is to say, into one share ye house and land that George Blanchard now improveth and all ye upland and [marsh] land adjoining to it and is bounded as followeth: butting southwestward part by Joshua Blanchard’s land & part by ye high way north-east against a straight line yt runs from ye landing place to Thomas Shepard’s fence bounded norwestward by a (brooke?) that parts from ye thre accres so called above Joshua Blanchard’s house Also ten accres of swamp land lying at ye norwest corner of ye farm: Also ye one half of two lots lying in Charlestown Comon both land and wood ye lots contains 13 accres a pece All amounts to: - - 227

"The other devision or part: lying part by Medford line the orchard and [ ] [ ] and three accres of corn-land ye field above ye said Joshua Blanchard’s house And twenty accres of medo ye field at ye northwardly
end of ye marsh: Also one half of two lots lying in Charlestown Common: both land and wood contain
13 accres a pece: All amounts to - - 220

"The widows thirds set out in ye first devision: The westward end of ye dweling hous it beeing [ ] with ye chimne: and one third part of ye cellar in ye east end and one third part of ye barn - Also two accres and 50 pols of land in ye cornfield from ye high way along by the broake which parts from ye three accres above Joshua Blanchard’s hous: Also eleven accres of marsh and upland at ye northwardly end of ye first devision adjoining to ye landing place: And one third part of ye ten accres of swamp land lying at ye norwest corner of ye farm And one third part of ye two wood-lots lying in Charlestown Common:

"The widows thirds set out in ye other devision or part of ye farm, that is to say one third part of ye orchard containing three rows of apple-trees set out and bounded by heaps of stones: from ye highway to ye westward end of ye said orchard Also one accre of cornland at ye end next to Joshua Blanchard’s land out of ye three accres above ye said Joshua’s hous 447
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Middlesx ss/ Cambridg Apr 4, 1704--

"The within named Wm Johnson sen Esqr, John Green, Isaac Hill Phineas Upham and John Greenland p’sonally appearing before me the subscribed Judge of the Probate of Wills &c in the County aforesd, made the within written Report of their division of that pt of the Real Estate of Georg Blanchard, which had formerly been set out the widow of the sd George for her Dower during her life, and at the same time Capt. Peter Tufts Guardian to Joseph & Thomas Blanchard and Jona. Tufts Guardian to Aaron and Stephen Blanchard children of Joseph Blanchard the Eldst son of the sd George decd made choice of the fourth and fifth shares, And Joshua Blanchard Guardian to the five children of Sarah Dean one of the daughters of the aforesd decd made choice of the eighth share as they [ ] 10lb in Reported by the Committee abovenamed.
All wch is allowed
by J Leverett

"That Abraham Blanchard
claimed the seven remain-
ing shares and promised to
Exhibit the Authority by
wch he claimes as aforsd
in a few days.
(MA, Middlesex Co., Probate Records, Vol. 6, 559.)

ii.

THOMAS BLANCHARD, b. Abt. 10 1623, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England ⁷; d. Bef. 2 14 1650/51, Malden, MA ⁸.

Notes for THOMAS BLANCHARD:
Resided in Charlestown (now Malden) and died there Feb.14,1651, m. Ann Rolfe. (Reg. Vol. 32). Ann’s mother, Honor Rolfe, died at Thomas Blanchard’s House in Charlestown, December 19, 1650. (NEHGR V36/p143; NEHGR V15/p364)

More About THOMAS BLANCHARD:
Baptism: 10 12 1623, Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire, England Parish.⁹

iii.

MARY BLANCHARD, b. Abt. 1 1625/26, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England ¹⁰.

More About MARY BLANCHARD:
Baptism: 1 15 1625/26, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England ¹¹

iv.

STEPHEN BLANCHARD, b. Abt. 6 1628, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England¹¹.

More About STEPHEN BLANCHARD:
Baptism: 6 22 1628, Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire, England Parish.¹¹

2.	v.		SAMUEL BLANCHARD, b. 8 06 1629, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England; d. 4 22 1707, Andover/Essex, MA.
	vi.		NATHANIEL BLANCHARD, b. Abt. 7 1632, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England ¹²; d. 8 27 1676, Weymouth, MA ¹³; m. SUSANNAH BATES, 12 16 1658, Weymouth, Mass.

Notes for NATHANIEL BLANCHARD:
Nathaniel inherited one half of his father’s farm in Charlestown. He sold a share to John Guppy and removed to Weymouth where he is listed as a weaver.

An inventory of Nathaniel’s estate lists his belongings as follows:
"Imp. & wearing Apparrell
A dwelling house, Orchard and Land adjoyning
4 acres of meadow & 26 acres of upland adjoyning
A lot in the second Division
2 cows one heifer and one yearling
6 sheep and Lambs... two swine
20 bushels Indian corne... fifteen bushels Rye
2 bushels Barley... one feather bed & Bolster
1 Rugg & Blankettts... two sheets
Curtains & Vallents... one Bedsted cord & Matt
Pewtar and Brass
Andrions... Wooden ware
Table and ... plouhg and tack
Tooles... twenty six pounds of yarne
2 musketts and 1 sword... chests... Bookes
Table Linnen... foder for cattle
Butter and Cheese... Bees... Lumbar
1 mase... Childrens Beding

"William Chard Stephen French

"Susanna Blanchett admitted AdmEx made oath to the truth of this Inventory before the County Court in Boston April 30th 1679. =Attestr Jsa Addington Clerk.

"The said Susanna Blanchett widow and Capne John Holbrocke both of Weymouth acknowledged themselves jointly & severally bound to the Treasuror. For the County of Suffolke in the sum of Two hundred pounds, On condition the said Susanna should administer the within mentioned Estate of her late husband Nathanael Blanchett according to law, and should be accountable & responsable for the same unto the County Court of Suffolke when called thereunto. Acknowledged in Court 30th April, 1679.
=Attestr Jsa Addington Clerk"
(MA, Suffolk Co., Inventory, Misc. Docket, no. 12-369.)

More About NATHANIEL BLANCHARD:
Baptism: 7 22 1632, Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire, England Parish.¹⁴
Occupation: Weaver ¹⁵

vii.

DAVID BLANCHARD, b. Abt. 2 1633/34, Goodworth Clatford/Hampshire, England ¹⁶.

More About DAVID BLANCHARD:
Baptism: 2 02 1633/34, Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire, England Parish.¹⁷

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