Humphrey Atherton (b. Abt. 1610, d. 17 September 1661)
Humphrey Atherton (son of Edmund Atherton) was born Abt. 1610 in Lancashire, England182, 183, and died 17 September 1661 in Dorchester, Suffolk Co, MA184, 185. He married Mary Wales in England.
Notes for Humphrey Atherton: References: NEHGS Register; Jan 1881; Vol 35.; p 66-72 Horace Mather; Lineage of Rev. Richard Mather; p 54-55. Savage's Genealogical Dictionary Vol. 1; p.73 Abridged compendium Vol. VII Humphrey Atherton married Mary Wales in England, they emigrated in 1636, settled at Dorchester, MA in 1636. He was a freeman May 2, 1638. He served as deputy of the General Court in 1638, Speaker of the House in 1653, Memorial Council of War for the United Colonies 1645, Captain Dorchester Co. May 16, 1646, Capt. of A and HA Co. 1650, 1658; Commander of United Colonies 1653, asst. 1645-1661; Superintendent of Indian Affairs 1658; Major General of the Mass. Colony 1661. It is most probable that Humphrey Atherton, with his wife Mary and three children, Jonathan, Isabel and Elizabeth, came in the "James" from Bristol, England, in 1635. Rev. Richard Mather, in his journal of the passage, mentions one hundred passengers, but gives the names of few; among them Nathaniel Wales, whose will was witnessed by Humphrey Atherton, who was also mentioned in it as "loving brother-in-law." Both of them assisted Mather in nurturing the first church of Dorchester into thrifty life again, notwithstanding so much of it had been transplanted to Windsor, CT. He died from a fall from his horse which stumbled over a cow lying in the road.
The inventory of his estate was taken 3 April 1673, valued at 283 pounds 15-00. Invt. of what we find in the Narragancett Countrey: 160 acres of land upon Boston Neck valued at in this Country, pay 200 pounds. 160 acres of land in Quienesett at 21 pounds 2 Oxen, 7 Cowes, 1 old horse, 1 old plow & plow Irons, 1 chain for a plow, 2 pitch forckes, 2 Bulls, two heifers, 3 earelings, 2 cow calves, & one steere.
The apprisement of the abouementioned Estate is valued at 283 pounds 15-00 at this Country pay of this Colony of Rhode Island & Providence plantation & kings province. This is a true copy of the original Invt. Attest: Warren Clarke, Clerk. Court record, Pagee 133- 2 September, 1673: This court grant Adms. on the Estate of Major Atherton unto Jonathan Atherton upon all the Estate that may be found in this colony; also upon all the Estate of Mr. Increase Atherton, Late of Dorchester, upon such of his as shall be found in this colony. Provided that the land formerly belonging unto the Sayd Major Atherton within this Colony shall be responsible to answer and make good claymes against the estate. Captain Atherton being the Eldest Brother of Mr. Increase Atherton aforesaid. Page 141 - 2 July, 1674: Adms. asks to be discharged from his Bond, as he is to go speedily out of the Country. Page 143 - 3 September, 1674: Mr. Hope Atherton & Mr. Timothy Mather informing this Court by their letter to the Governor & Secretary that Capt. Jonathan Atherton, Adms. to the Estate of the Hon. Major Atherton, hath not paid their proportion of the Estate left by their Father in this Colony, & no person appearing to demand & take up the security, this Court see not sufficient ground to release the security. Ref: A Digest of the Early CT Probate Records Vol. 1 p. 174, 175.
From "The Great Migration Begins" Roger Clap's life became increasingly oriented toward his military activities as he grew older, and eventually, after the death of Richard Davenport, he became captain of the Castle. In September 1654 when troops were set up "to go out if need should require" against the Niantics, the first troop had Roger Clap as lieutenant [Bodge 23]. Edward Johnson described the train band at Dorchester, headed by Captain Humphrey Atherton "with his stout and valiant Lieutenant Clapes, strong for the truth" [WWP 229].
More About Humphrey Atherton: Burial: 1661, Upham's Corner Cemetery, Dorchester, MA. Immigration: 1635, ship "James" from Eng to Dorchester, MA. Military: 1661, Major General of Mass achusetts Colony. Other-Begin: 02 May 1638, made freeman. Public Office: 1653, Speaker of the House. Will: 1661, Suffolk County Probate Records.
More About Humphrey Atherton and Mary Wales: Marriage: England.
Humphrey Atherton (b. Abt. 1610, d. 17 September 1661)
Notes for Humphrey Atherton: