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Descendants of Edward Sprague

Generation No. 2

7. William² Sprague (Edward¹)^41,⁴² was born Abt. October 1609 in Upwey, Dorsetshire, England⁴², and died October 26, 1675 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^43,^44,⁴⁵. He married Millicent Eames⁴⁵ May 26, 1635 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., MA ^46,⁴⁷, daughter of Anthony Eames and Margery Pierce (Prisse). She was born 1615 in Fordington, Dorsetshire, England ^48,⁴⁹, and died February 08, 1695/96 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^50,^51,⁵².

Notes for William Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

Union Street, "over the river"
"The Sprague Family: from Dorset to Massachusetts and Gibraltar", by Joan Watkins, 1992, correspondent. (NOTE: continued from William's brother, Richard Sprague notes.) William, the youngest of the brothers married Millicent Eames in 1634/5. Together with his wife and new father-in-law they removed to Hingham where he was granted land. Later in his lifetime he purchase various plots of land and in 1662 he was made Constable of Hingham an dCollector of the town rates. They had ten children, only eight surviving. These were Anthony, Johmn, Samuel, Jonathan, (died) Persis, Joanna, William, Mary and Hannah who died aged 3. The descendants of this family became very widespread in America, some moving from Hingham to towns like Attleborough, Providence, etc. Ralph's life had been one of tremendous courage, faith and an indomitable pioneering spirit. He had taken the responsibility not only for his own family but also his two brothers, to travel to the New World to face unknown dangers. When he died at the age of 50 he left his widow Joanna with four sons and one daughter, Mary. Both Phineas and Mary were under the age of 21. Thus did Ralph with Joanna and his brother William with his wife Millicent found the Sprague dynasty in New England. In addition, the three brothers, together with other compatriots were responsible for co-founding Charlestown and shaping the future of Massachusetts. (NOTE: continued in William Sprague's brother's eldest son, John Sprague.)

From Richard Fricke.
William Sprague immigrated to America in 1628 with his two brothers, Ralph and Richard on the ship Abigail, with Governor Endicott and landed at Salem on September 6, 1628. Ralph became a Lieutenant and Richard a Captain. The brothers were the first settlers of Charleston and are buried there. In 1629, the three brothers were listed as settlers of Charlestown. In 1635, William's wife was admitted to the church in Charlestown. In 1636, he was granted land on Union Street in Hingham, MA. He was a Selectman in 1645 and later a Constable and collector of taxes.
"Ancestral File - Ver 4.11" William Sprague (AFN:73NL-VG)

"Sprague Families in America", by Dr. Warren Vincent Sprague, page 124. 1629. The names of Ralph, Richard and William Sprague stand at the head of the list of settlers in the record of the first meeting of the inhabitants of Charlestown.
1629. He visited Hingham in a boat.
1635. Millesaint his wife was admitted to the Church in Charlestown. 1635-6, Jan 2. His name appears for the last time in the list of inhabitants of Charlestown. 1636. He and his father-in-law obtained grants of land in Hingham and removed there, where he continued to live (except at one time he appears as a resident of Milford, MA). His house lot, on Union St. "over the river" was said to be the pleasantest lot in Hingham. 1645. He was chosen one of the seven Selectmen, "to order the prudential affairs of the town." 1651, March 28. He purchased of Thomas Hammond, "Planter" a dwelling house with 5 acres of land adjoining his own homestead, together with other lands in that locality; also 20 acres on the opposite side of the river against the end of the aforesaid house lot.
1662. Constable and Collector of town rates.
1675, October 19. Made his will. All of the children were born in Hingham except Anthony, who was born in Charlestown.

From Nancy Johnsen Curran.
William Sprague came on the "Lyon's Whelp" in 1629. "Planters of the Commonwealth", Banks, page 61.

"The Genealogical Register", July 1930, page 324.
William Sprague, fuller, of Upwey, County Dorset, England was a settler at Salem, MA in 1628 and at Hingham, MA in 1636.

"History of Hingham", Volume II, Genealogies, by George Lincoln, 1893, repr. 1982, page 163. William Sprague, according to the family tradition, arrived at Salem, MA, with his brothers Ralph and Richard, in 1629. On January 2, 1635/36, he was an inhabitant of Charlestown, and shortly after, his son Anthony was born there. (See Frothingham's "History of Charlestown.") He probably settled in Hingham during the summer or autumn of 1636, as land was granted to him that year on "the Playne". Other lots also were given him for planting purposes the same year, and at later dates. On the 28th of March, 1651, he purchased of Thomas Hammond, "Planter", a dwelling house with five acres of land, adjoining his own homestead. together with other lands in that locality; also twenty acres on the opposite side of the river against the end of the aforesaid home-lot. At one time he appears as a resident of Milford but returned again in a few years to Hingham.
1645 Selectman
1661 Constable

From Frank Polkinghorn, correspondent.
William Sprague, soon after marrying, made an exploratory trip to Bare Cove, later Hingham. He probably settled there in the summer or fall of 1636 as land was granted him that year on the Plain. His lot was about two miles north of the Patent Line dividing Massachusetts Bay Colony from Plymouth Colony. Other lots were granted to him for planting purposes from 1636 to 1647. On January 30, 1645, he was one of the seven men chosen to order the dwelling house and five acres of land adjoining his own homestead together with other lands in the locality; also 20 acres on the opposite side of the river against the end of the aforesaid home lot. At one time he was a resident of Marshfield but returned in a few years to Hingham. In 1662, he was the disbursing officer for the town; also Constable, Fenceviewer, etc. On February 21, 1673 he deeded his son, Anthony, certain land for L36 of lawful money of New England and L9 in merchantable corn. His will dated October 19, 1675 mentions wife Millesaint: son William; son Samuel; daughter Persis Doggett, wife of John Doggett; Joana Church, wife of Caleb Church; Mary King, wife of Thomas King, son John, and son Jonathan.

"The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biographical", American Historical Society, Inc., 1920, pages 400-402. William Sprague settled first in Charlestown, Mass., where he lived until 1636. He then removed to Hingham, landing on the side of the cove, on a tract of land afterward granted him by the town, and he was one of the first planters there. His house lot is said to have been the best situated in the town. Many grants were made him from time to time. He was active in public affairs, and was constable, fence-viewer, etc. William Sprague died October 6, 1675; his will bequeaths to his wife, Millicent, and children, Anthony, Samuel, William, Joan, Jonathan, Persis, Joanna, and Mary. He married in Charlestown in 1635, Millicent Eames, daughter of Anthony Eames, who died February 8, 1695/96.

"Genealogy (in part) of the Sprague Families in America", by Augustus B. R. Sprague, page 10. William Sprague, of Charlestown and Hingham, planter, was born in England, and was the youngest son of Edward Sprague. He married Millesaint Eames, daughter of Anthony Eames. She died February 8, 1696. He remained in Charlestown until 1636, eight years. His name is mentioned in all the town meetings, as a citizen thereof until January, 1635. His wife, Millesaint, was admitted into the church in Charlestown in 1635, and his eldest son, Anthony, was baptized there May 23, 1636. He came to Hingham in 1636, in a boat, and landed on the east side of the cove, on a lot of ground that was afterwards legally granted to him by the town, and was one of the first planters of the town, the name Bare Cove having been changed to Hingham, Sept. 2, 1635. William Sprague's houselot was said to have been the pleasantest lot in Hingham; it was about two miles north of the Patent Line which formerly divided the old Massachusetts Colony from the Plymouth Colony. Many parcels of land and meadow, recorded in the "Old Grant Book,", were given to him by the town, covering a period from 1636 to 1647. These gifts indicate esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen. January 30 1645, he was one of seven men chosen in town meeting to order the prudential affairs of the town. In 1662, he was disbursing officer for the town; was also constable, fence viewer, etc. February 21, 1673, he deeded to his son, Anthony, certain land for six and thirty pounds of lawful money of New England, and nine pounds in merchantable corn.
He died October 26, 1675.

WILLIAM SPRAGUE'S WILL
In the Name of God, Amen. The nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord God, One thousand, six hundred, seventy & five. I, WILLIAM SPRAGUE, senior, of Hingham, in New England, being sick in body, but yet of perfect memory; praised by almighty God! do make and declare this my last will and testament, in manner and form following: Revoking, and by these presents, making void, and of no force, all and every will and wills heretofore by me made, and declared, either by word or writing, and this to be taken only, for my last will, and none other. FIRST and principally, I commit and commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, and my body to the earth, to be decently buried, at the discretion of my executor hereafter mentioned, hoping of salvation, both of soul and body, by the mercies of God in the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ. And as for such temporal estate as it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, I do order, give and dispose the same in manner and form as followeth -- that is to say: FIRST -- I will that all those just debts and duties that I owe in right and conscience to any person whatsoever, shall be well and truly contented and paid by my Executor hereafter named out of my Estate, with my funeral charges, which I will shall be first paid. Item -- I give and bequeath unto Millesaint Sprague, my loving wife, the sum of Ten pounds in money, and one Cow and one Horse. Item -- I give unto the said Millesaint, my wife, ten pounds per annum during the term of her natural life, (to be paid to her by my son, William Sprague, which I have reserved for her, as may fully appear by a deed of gift under my hand and seal to my said son, William, of my house and several lands and commons, as is therein expressed, ) and the summering and wintering of one cow and one horse, and the use of one half of my dwelling house, and half the orchard, according as I have reserved upon the said deed of gift. Item -- I give unto Millesaint, my said wife, thirty and five pounds which is due from me by my son, Anthony Sprague, to be paid five pounds a year till the whole be paid: that is to say, in case my said wife live till all the said payments be made to her: but if my wife decease, before all the said payments of thirty and five pounds be made, then my mind and will is, that what is remaining unpaid of the said thirty and five pounds at my wife's decease, shall be divided equally amongst all my children hereafter named, that is to say: my son Anthony Sprague, my son Samuel Sprague, my son William Sprague, my daughter, Perses Doggett, the wife of John Doggett, Joanna Church, the wife of Caleb Church and Mary King, the wife of Thomas King, every one of them to have part and part alike. Item -- I give unto Millesaint, my said wife, all my household stuff and furniture, linen, woolen, and utensils of household whatsoever, for and during the term of her natural lie; and after my wife's decease my mind and will is, that it shall be divided amongst all my aforesaid children, every one of them to have part and part alike. And all my cattle not before given to this my will, to be immediately after my decease, disposed of by my Executor, as followeth; that is to say: to my son William Sprague two steers three years old and the [?] and one cow; and all the rest of my cattle to be equally divided among the rest of my children aforenamed, every one of them to have part and part alike. Item -- I give and bequeath unto Anthony Sprague, my SWORD, which was my brother Richard Sprague's and one of my biggest pewter platters, and twenty shillings in money; which, with what I have given him before, in Land, and other things, and his part of my household stuff and cattle, after the decease of myself and my wife, as it is afore expressed, I judge a sufficient portion for him. Item -- I give unto my son John Sprague, a piece of salt marsh, lying at Lyford's liking river, in Hingham, containing two acres and a half, be it more or less, which was given me by the town of Hingham, to enjoy to him, and his heirs, and assigns forever. And I do give unto my son John Sprague my searge suit of apparel, which with a Neck of Upland, called Sprague's Island, lying by the aforesaid meadow which I formerly gave to him, I judge a sufficient portion for him. Item -- I give unto my son Samuel Sprague my cloth coat, which was my brother's and one of my biggest pewter platters. Item -- I give and bequeath unto my son Jonathan Sprague, threescore acres of Land, lying in the bounds of the township of Providence, in New England, which I lately purchased of John Dexter, of the said Providence which said threescore acres of land, I do give to my son Jonathan during the term of his natural life; and after his decease unto his heirs male, lawfully begotten of his body, lawfully begotten or to be begotten; and for want of such hairs, the said threescore acres of Land to return to the next heirs of the Spragues descended from me. Also, I give unto my said son Jonathan Sprague my best cloth suit of apparel. Item -- I give unto William Sprague one feather bed, which the used to lodge upon when he lived with me, and one on my biggest pewter platters. Item -- I do make and ordain Millesaint Sprague, my loving wife, my full and sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I the said William Sprague have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day above written.
WILLIAM SPRAGUE and a seal.
Signed, sealed, published and delivered by the above said William Sprague, senior, to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us witnesses.
DANIEL CUSHING, sen.
MATTHEW CUSHING.
Daniel Cushing, sen., and Daniel Cushing, jr., appeared before John Leverett, Esq., Governor, etc.

Elbridge Henry Goss, "The History of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts", (The City of Melrose, 1902), pages 77-80.

THE SPRAGUES. The Sprague families have ever been very prominent and intimately connected with the history of this town from its earliest days. It is quite certain that our territory was visited and traversed by the three brothers, Ralph Sprague, Richard Sprague and William Sprague, who came over from England, at their own cost, and who with three or four more, by joint consent and approbation of Mr. John Endicott, Governor, did the same summer of Anno 1628, undertake a journey from Salem, and travelled the woods above twelve miles to the westward, and lighted of a place situate and lying on the north side of Charles River, full of Indians called Aberginians. Their old Sachem being dead, his eldest son, [Monohaguaham] by the English called John Sagamore, was their chief, and a man naturally of a "gentle and good disposition,20 by whose free consent they settled about the hill of the same place by the said natives called Mishawum, [afterwards called Charlestown,] where they found but one English pallisadoed and thatched house, wherein lived Thomas Walford, a smith, situate on the south end of the westermost hill of the East Field, a little way up from Charles River side, and upon survey, they found it was a neck of land generally full of stately timber, as was the main, and the land lying on the east side of the river, called Mystick River, from the farm Mr. Cradock's servants had planted called Mystick, which this river led up unto; and indeed generally all the country round about, was an uncouth wilderness full of timber."21

There is no doubt whatever, but that the Spragues and their companions, were the first civilized men whose feet trod upon the soil, and whose eyes gazed upon the territory now Melrose, who explored with the view of making a permanent settlement.22 Undoubtedly other explorers traversed our territory very soon after the Spragues, for Gov. Thomas Dudley, writing to the Countess of Lincoln, in England, March 28, 1631, in giving an account of the dispersal of settlers which had taken place before this date, at various places around Boston, says: "others upon the River Saugus between Salem and Charlestown." In travelling from Charlestown to Saugus, seeking out a proper place for settlement, it is quite feasible to suppose that our valley was visited by them in their wanderings. That the Spragues found this particular tract of country pleasant and attractive, from its varied scenery and adaptability as a place of settlement, is evidenced by the fact that as early as 1638, only nine years later, the Spragues having left Salem and settled in Charlestown, both Ralph and Richard owned by allotment, a large tract of land near Ell Pond, naming it "Pond Feilde."

This covered a large part of what is now the westerly part of the town. Ralph Sprague had "Ninetie acres of land by estimation, more or lesse, scituate in Pond feilde;" and Richard had sixtie acres of land by estimation, more or lesse, scituate in pond feilde,25 bounded on the one side by Ralph Sprague, on the northeast by ell pond and the river [that comes through the meadow into Ell pond. -- Green,] and on the northwest by the comon.26

All this territory belonging to Charlestown, north of the Mystic River, was then called Mystic Side.

These three Spragues were the sons of Edward Sprague, a fuller, of Upway, County of Dorset, England. Ralph and Richard were both prominent in Charlestown affairs, both being among the founders of the Church, members of the General Court, Selectmen for several years, and officers in the Boston

20 His home in Malden was upon the creek which runs from the marshes between Powder Horn Hill, on which the Soldiers' Home is now situated, and Winnisemmet, into the Mystic River, at Sweetser's or Beacham's Point.

21 Charlestown Records, Vol. 1. The above record was written by John Greene, in 1664, and is wrong in its chronology. Gov. Endicott did not arrive at Salem, until September, 1628, consequently the Spragues could not have gone on their journey during the summer of 1628, as above stated. Corey, in a letter to the writer, dated Feb. 1, 1901, thinks that the Spragues did not come over with Gov. Endicott, in 1628, but with Higginson in 1629, and during that summer made their journey. This view is sustained by Savage in his Genealogical Dictionary, and Frothingham in his History of Charlestown, p. 14.

22 Concerning the route of the Spragues during this exploration there is some controversy. Corey in his History of Malden, p. 19, says: "Their probable course may be traced along the Salem path, which we may believe already existed as an Indian trail." Such a trail would necessitate the crossing of the Abousett, or Saugus River, in what is now East Saugus, and near its mouth where it is quite wide and deep. A bridge was built here about 1639, after which the Salem Path undoubtedly was much travelled. This entered Malden by Black Ann's Corner, then after following the present Salem Street a while ran northwesterly through the Scadan Woods into the southerly part of Melrose, thence wound around north of Wayte's Mount. But I am led to believe differently. It is distinctly stated in the Charlestown Records, that these explorers "travelled the woods above twelve miles to the westward." The History of Lynn by Lewis and Newhall, p. 137, under date of 1631, shows a far more probable route of travel for this early date: "At this time, there was no bridge across Saugus River, and people who travelled to Boston were compelled to pass through the woods in the northern part of the town, and ford the stream by the Iron Works, which were near the site of the present woolen factories in Saugus Centre." These factories were north of the Saugus Town Hall. Here the river was easily forded. Traces of this trail existed until within a short time. From the ford it continued westerly, entering the confines of Melrose, a little way south of the cliffs below John Doherty's, on Upham Street, entering the woods and passing over what became the road from Malden through Saugus to Lynn, and which was laid out in 1796, a part of which is now known as Altamont Avenue; and so on to the region of Spot Pond. After reaching our valley it would seem that the Sprague party turned to the south, crossed the Mystic, and ceased their journeying at Charlestown, where they soon afterwards settled. As we shall see, the Spragues owned land to the west and south of Ell Pond, on record as early as 1638, showing undoubted ownership some years before; clearly indicating to my mind, that this valley was thus explored and admired during that first expedition.

23 Richard Frothingham, in his History of Charlestown, p. 20, gives the names of "The inhabitants yt: first settled in this place and brought it into the denomination of an English Towne," and the three Spragues, Ralph, Richard and William, are first on the list.

24 Variously spelled in early documents: L, Ell, Eel, Ele, in one place in the Charlestown Records as Elme; and in the Cogan deed, hereafter referred to, "Yeale." It was evidently first named L on account of its shape and it was always so considered by the early inhabitants; but by general usage is now, and has been, spelled Ell.

25 "This makes it certain that the first recorded name of the section now known as Melrose, was Pond Feilde. It also fixes the taking up of land here, as early as 1638." Address of Hon. Levi S. Gould, at annual banquet of the
Highlands Congregational Church in 1897.

26 Charlestown Book of Possessions, in "Third Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston," pp. 33, 46. Undoubtedly the first compilation of the kind in America.

27 Traced from the original document,
now at City Hall, Boston.

THE PIONEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS, pages 11320-11329, Ancestry.com, 1998. William, bro. of Ralph and Richard, planter, Charlestown, rem. to Hingham. Propr. 1636. Town officer. Wife Millicent adm. chh. Char. 3 (2) 1635; ch. Antony bapt. 23 (3) 1636, John bapt. at Hing. April, 1638, Samuel bapt. May 24, 1640, Jonathan bapt. March 20, 1641-2, d. 4 July, 1647, Persis b. Nov. 12, 1643, (m. John Doggett,) Joanna b. Dec. 1645, (m. Caleb Church,) Jonathan b. May 28, 1648, William b. July 2, 1650, Mary b. April 5, 1652, (m. Thomas King,) Hannah b. Feb. 25, 1654, d. 31 March, 1659. He d. 26 Oct. 1675. Will dated 19 Oct. 1675. To wife Millicent; ch. Anthony, Samuel, William, John, Jonathan, Persis, wife of John Doggett, Johanna, wife of Caleb Church, and Mary, wife of Thomas King. To Anthony the sword that was his bro. Richard Sprague's. The widow d. 8 Feb.1695-6.

ABRIDGED COMPENDIUM, Frederick Virkus, page 3529.
SPRAGUE, William (1609-75) brother of Ralph), from Eng. to Charlestown, Mass 1629- removed to Hingham, Mass., 1636; m Millicent Eames.

The WINTHROP SOCIETY
John Beardsley, Secretary
2690 Walker Avenue,
Carmel, CA 93923
Among those who came with Rev. Francis Higginson, in the fleet of 1629. He was married to Mellicent Eames on May 26 1635 in Charlestown, Suffolk, MA

"The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Platations" - Biographical, Pages 400-402. William Sprague, immigrant ancestor and progenitor, was a son of Edward Sprague, of Upway, Dorsetshire, England. Edward Sprague lived at Fordington, Dorsetshire, in early life, and was a fuller by trade. He married Christina, and died in 1614. His will was proved June 6, 1614, in the prerogative court at Canterbury, and copies of the document made at this time are still in possession of the family. Three of his sons, Ralph, Richard, and William, came to America. In Prince's "Chronology" we find the following mention of the brothers: Among those who arrived at Naumkeag are Ralph Sprague, with his brothers Richard and William, who, with three or four more, were employed by Governor Endicott to explore and take possession of the country westward. They traveled through the woods to Charlestown, on a neck of land called Michawum, between Mystic and Charles rivers,. full of Indians named Aborginians, with whom they made peace." Ralph Sprague was about twenty-five years of age when he came to New England In 1631. Captain Richard Sprague commanded a company of the train band. On February 10, 1634, the order creating a Board of Selectmen was passed, and Richard and William Sprague signed it. Richard Sprague left no posterity. His sword, which is named in his brother William's will, was extant in 1828. William Sprague settled first in Charlestown, Mass., where he lived until 1636. He then removed to Hingham, landing on the side of the cove, on a tract of land afterward granted him by the town, and he was one of the first planters there. His house lot is said to have been the best situated in the town. Many grants were made him from time to time. He was active in public affairs, and was constable, fence-viewer, etc. William Sprague died October 6, 1675; his will bequeaths to his wife, Millicent, and children, Anthony, Samuel, William, Joan, Jonathan, Persis, Johanna, and Mary. He married, in Charlestown, in 1635, Millicent Eames, daughter of Anthony Eames, who died February 8, 1695-96.

From Rick Ingersoll, correspondent.
"The Descendants of Joel Jones", page 234.
WILLIAM SPRAGUE, married Millicent Eames in 1635. They had 10 children, 8 of whom were living at

Page 235

the time of his death. He was a prominent citizen, and there are many deeds on record of tracts of land and lots transferred to him. He appears to have held several local offices.

CHILDREN
*I ANTHONY, b. Sept. 2, 1635.
II John, bap. in Apr., 1638.
III Samuel, bap. May 24, 1640.
IV Jonathan, bap. Mar. 20, 1642; d. July 4, 1647.
V Persis, bap. Nov. 12, 1643; m. 1673, to John Doggett.
VI Joanna, bap. Dec. 16, 1644; m. Dec. 16, 1667, to Caleb Church.
VII Jonathan, b. May 28, 1648.
VIII William, b. May 7, 1650.
IX Mary, b. Apr. 25, 1652; m. Thomas King of Scituate.
X Hannah, b. Feb. 24, 1654-5; d. Mar. 31, 1658.
William Sprague died Oct. 26, 1675, at Hingham. His widow died Feb. 8, 1696. He was 66 years of age when he died. William Sprague left a large estate, which gave his widow a comfortable income, besides providing for all his children. His house occupies the best site in Hingham, and the exact spot is known, and his descendants were living on the original lot up until very recently, and likely still are.

Notes for Millicent Eames:
[Sprague.FTW]

From Elisabeth Dunbar Donavon
The date of death for Millesaint Eames is listed as 8 Feb 1695.

"Ancestral File - Ver. 4.11"
Millicent Eames (AFN:2JVC-W1)

Children of William Sprague and Millicent Eames are:

Anthony³ Sprague⁵², born September 02, 1635 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., MA ^53,⁵⁴; died September 03, 1719 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^55,^56,^57,^58,^59,^60,^61,⁶². He married Elizabeth Bartlett ^63,⁶⁴ December 26, 1661 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^65,^66,^67,^68,^69,^70,^71,⁷²; born Abt. May 23, 1636 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA ^73,^74,⁷⁵; died February 17, 1712/13 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^76,^77,^78,^79,^80,⁸¹.

Notes for Anthony Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

"Sprague Families in America", by Dr. Warren Vincent Sprague, page 128. Anthony Sprague was a farmer; Selectman in 1688, 1692 and 1700; resided on paternal homestead, Hingham Centre. April 19 or 20, 1676, the Indians in King Philip's War burned his home and five others. Will dated July 21, 1716, probated October 12, 1719.

"Genealogy (in part) of the Sprague Families in America", by Augustus B. R. Sprague, page 14. Anthony Sprague was a large land owner in Hingham. His house was burned by the Indians, in King Philip's war, April 19, 1676. Of this branch of Anthony, through Jeremiah the seventh son, is celebrated poet Charles Sprague, descended.

"History of Hingham", Volume II: Genealogies, by George Lincoln, 1983, repr. 1982, page 164. Anthony Sprague's house was burned 19 April 1676 by the Indians in King Philip's War. He was a farmer.
1688, 1692, 1700. Selecman
He resided on the paternal homestead at Hingham Centre.

From Rick Ingersoll, correspondent.
"The Descendants of Joel Jones", page 235.
ANTHONY SPRAGUE, was born in Charleston, Sept. 2, 1635. Baptised June 23, 1636. Married Dec. 26, 1661, to Elizabeth Bartlett. She was the daughter of Mary (Warren) Bartlett, and Robert Bartlett. Mary Warren Bartlett was the daughter of Richard Warren, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. Anthony Sprague died Sept. 3, 1719. She died Feb. 17, 1712-3. They had eleven children all born in

Page 236

Hingham. He lived on the paternal homestead, and his house was burned by the Indians, along with five others, in Hingham, during King Philip's War, in 1676, on Apr. 19. He was a selectman in 1688, 1692 and 1700.

CHILDREN
I Anthony, b. Aug. 18, 1663.
II Benjamin, b. Aug. 16, 1665; d. Sept. 27, 1690.
III John, b. Sept. 30, 1667; d. Oct. 23, 1690.
IV Elizabeth, b. Sept. 5, 1669; d. Oct. 11, 1690.
V Samuel, b. Mar. 8, 1671 or 2.
VI Sarah, b. May 23, 1674; m. June 10, 1716, to Caleb Bate (widower).
VII James, b. Jan. 23, 1677 or 8.
VIII Josiah, b. Apr. 23, 1680.
*IX JEREMIAH, b. July 24, 1682.
X Richard, b. Apr. 10, 1685.
XI Matthew, b. Mar. 27, 1688; m. Sept. 13, 1716, to Sarah Fearing.

He d. June 16, 1783, aged 95 years.

Mary Warren, the mother of Mrs. Anthony Sprague, was the oldest daughter of Richard Warren, one of the Mayflower Pilgrims, and was born in England. Richard Warren came over first, and afterwards sent for his wife and five daughters. They arrived on the "Ann" and reached Plymouth in July, 1623. Robert Bartlett, husband of Mary Warren, was a cooper by trade and the records show that he was a man of good character and standing in the community, and highly thought of by his associates. He lived and died in Manomet, Plymouth, where his possessions were. He died in 1676, aged 73 years. His wife survived him, but died between 1677 and 1683. His homestead

Page 237

has been known as the Bartlett farm, and has been in possession of the Bartlett family continuously up to the present. The house built in 1680 is still standing. See Munsey Gen. p. 60.

+	9	ii.		John Sprague, born Abt. 1638 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA; died October 26, 1683 in Mendon, Worcester Co., MA.
	10	iii.		Samuel Sprague⁸¹, born Bef. May 24, 1640 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA⁸¹; died 1709 in Marshfield, Plymouth Co., MA ^82,^83,⁸⁴. He married Sarah Chillingworth⁸⁴ Abt. 1665 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., MA ^85,⁸⁶; born Abt. 1644⁸⁶; died 1725 in MA⁸⁶.

Notes for Samuel Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

"Sprague Families in America", by Warren Vincent Sprague, page 131. 1650. Anthony Ames his grandfather removed from Hingham to Marshfield. 1664. His name appears as an inhabitant of Marshfield, though he may have come before to live with his grandfather. 1667. An occupant of the Chillingworth estate on South River. 1667, Apr. 15. Elected surveyor of highways, and during the 43 years subsequent to this date was 63 times elected to fill official positions. He was chosen assessor of town and county taxes 13 times, selectman 15 times, representative to the General Court 10 times, and agent or commissioner on some special service 18 times.
1683, and after, he was called Sergeant.
1686, June. He was chosen "Secretary of the General Court and Recorder of the Court of Assistanss" and was the third and last Secretary of the Colony. 1710, Oct 16. Division of estate was made. Sarah the deceased wife of Joseph Holmes was called his eldes daughter. 1710, Dec. 18. In an agreement Sarah Sprague was named as mother of the four boys.

"History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater", by Nahum Mitchell. Samuel went to Marshfield, and died in 1709. He was secretary of the Colony, and great-grandfather of the Hon. Seth Sprague, senator of Duxbury.

"Genealogy (in part) of the Sprague Families in America", by Augustus B. R. Sprague, page 14. Samuel Sprague was representative in 1682; was Register of Deeds for three years, and was the last Secretary of the Colony. He was the great-grandfather of Hon. Seth Sprague of Duxbury.

"Memorial of the Sprague Family", by Richard Soule, Jr., page 106. Samuel Sprague removed to Marshfield prior to 1664, where he became a very prominent and useful citizen. Was Secretary of the Old Colony from 1686 until this Colony was united with that of Massachusetts in 1692.

"The Genealogy of the Sprague's in Hingham", by Hosea Sprague, page 31. Samuel Sprague removed to Plymouth, where he was Secretary of the Colony, and Register of Deeds, before 1692.

From Frank Polkinghorn, correspondent.
Samuel Sprague with his father-in-law, moved to Marshfield, to the farm on the South River Road (occupied by Chllingsworth Sprague in 1900) some time prior to 1664 when his name appeared among the inhabitants. On April 15, 1667, he was Surveyor of Highways and later was chosen sixty-three times to official positions; Representative 1682. Registrar of Deeds, 3 years; June 1686 last Secretary of Plymouth Colony; Assessor 13 times, Selectman 15 times, Representative to the General Court 10 times; agent or special services 18 times. In 1683 and after he was called Sargent. He died 1710, aged 70 years. On October 16, 1710 a division of his estate was made. Sarah, deceased wife of Joseph Holmes was called eldest daughter. Other children were mentioned. In an agreement, Sarah Sprague was named mother of four boys.

Notes for Sarah Chillingworth:
[Sprague.FTW]

Ancestral file (AFN:MG3X-24) indicates that the mother of John Sprague (AFN:2JVF-1S), spouse of Samuel Sprague was Sarah CHILLINGHAM (AFN:MG3W-BC). Spouse: Mrs. Bethiah Sprague (AFN:MG3X-39).

iv.

Elizabeth Sprague⁸⁶, born Bef. May 02, 1641 ^87,⁸⁸; died 1684 ^89,⁹⁰.

Notes for Elizabeth Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

"The Great Migration Begins - Immigrants to New England: 1620-1633", Volume III, edited by Robert Charles Anderson, page 1738. "Savage includes among the children of William Sprague a daughter Elizabeth born in 1641. There is no record of such a daughter, nor is there room for her in the known sequence of children; an Elizabeth Strange was baptized at Hingham on 2 May 1641 [NEHGR 121:13] and this name may have been misread in some way."

Jonathan Sprague⁹⁰, born Bef. March 20, 1641/42 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA⁹⁰; died July 04, 1647 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^91,⁹².

Notes for Jonathan Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

"The Genealogy of the Sprague's of Hingham", by Hosea Sprague, page 58.
Jonathan, son of Old William, left no posterity.

vi.

Persis Sprague⁹², born November 12, 1643 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^93,^94,⁹⁵; died 1684 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^96,⁹⁷. She married John Doggett⁹⁷ 1673 in MA ^98,⁹⁹; born 1639⁹⁹; died in Y⁹⁹.

Notes for Persis Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

"Genealogy (in part) of the Sprague Families in America", by Augustus B. R. Sprague, page 15, gives the name as Perses, "History of Hingham", Volume II, page 164, by George Lincoln gives it as Persis.

Notes for John Doggett:
[Sprague.FTW]

"Memorial of the Sprague Family", by Richard Soule, Jr., page 106.
John Doggett was from Rehoboth.

vii.

Joanna Sprague⁹⁹, born Bet. December 16, 1644 - December 16, 1645 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA⁹⁹; died July 11, 1678 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA ^100,^101,¹⁰². She married Caleb Church¹⁰² December 16, 1667 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^103,^104,^105,^106,^107,^108,¹⁰⁹; born Abt. 1646 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA ^110,¹¹¹; died Bef. June 26, 1722 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA ^112,¹¹³.

Notes for Joanna Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

From Elisabeth Dunbar Donavon.
BIR-MAR-DEATH: Mayflower Increasings (For Three Generations) by Susan E. Roser "Mayflower Families in Progress: Francis Cooke of the Mayflower" pub. by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1987.

Notes for Caleb Church:
[Sprague.FTW]

"Genealogies of Mayflower Families" Volume III, by Gary Boyd Roberts, 1985, page 624. Caleb Church was admitted freeman of Watertown, 22 March, 1689-90, where he was selectman, 1692, 1698-1702 and 1713, and representative to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1713.

Marriage Notes for Joanna Sprague and Caleb Church:
[Sprague.FTW]

(From "The Genealogy of the Sprague's in Hingham", by Hosea Sprague,
page
32.)
Joanna Sprague and Caleb Church were married by Capt. Joshua Hubbard.

+	15	viii.		Jonathan Sprague, born May 28, 1648 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA; died September 1741 in Smithfield, Providence Co., RI.
	16	ix.		William Sprague¹¹³, born May 07, 1650 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^114,^115,^116,¹¹⁷; died September 26, 1723 in Providence, Providence Co., RI ^118,^119,¹²⁰. He married (1) Deborah Lane¹²⁰ December 13, 1674 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^121,^122,^123,^124,¹²⁵; born June 20, 1652 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA¹²⁵; died February 04, 1706/07 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^126,^127,¹²⁸. He married (2) Mary Tower¹²⁸ Aft. November 05, 1709 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA¹²⁸; born November 03, 1672 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^129,^130,^131,¹³²; died 1731 ^133,¹³⁴.

Notes for William Sprague:
[Sprague.FTW]

From Richard Fricke.
William Sprague moved to Providence, Rhode Island.

"Sprague Families in America", by Dr. Warren Vincent Sprague, page 135.
1690, 1699, 1708. Selectman of Hingham.
1709, Nov. 19. He bought land in Providence where he had removed.
1711-2, Feb. 19. Recorded his cattle mark.
1712, May 6. Freeman of Providence.
1715-6, March 12. He deeded to son Benjamin half the easterly end of farm at Rocky Hill, and at the same date to son John the other half. 1721, April 7. Will, proved Nov. 11, 1723, mentions son William, grandson David (son of David), third son Jonathan, fourth son John, fifth son Benjamin, eldest daughter Deborah Beale, grandchildren Deborah, William, John and Abiah West (children of William and Abiah Sprague West), loving wife Mary, and children born of wife Mary, vix: Rowland, Mary, Peter and Judith. 1723, Nov. 11. Mrs. Mary Sprague, widow, had administration on estate of her mother Elizabeth Tower, who died August 9, 1723.

"History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater", by Nahum Mitchell. William married Deborah Lane in 1674, and went to Providence.

"Genealogy (in part) of the Sprague Families in America", by Augustus B. R. Sprague, page 16. William Sprague was a Selectman in Hingham, in 1690, 1699, and 1708. He removed to Providence, RI in 1710 and died there.

"Memorial of the Sprague Family", by Richard Soule, Jr., page 107. William Sprague was one of the Selectmen of Hingham in 1690, and
again in 1699 and 1708. He removed to Providence in 1713.

"Memorial of the Sprague Family", by Richard Soule, Jr., page 108. Children listed do not include David and the four children by his second wife but adds Silence, William, and Jedediah not listed in other sources. The name of his second wife is given as "widow Silence Tower". Children are:
Silence, b. Sept 7th, 1708.
William, b. in 1710. Removed to Abington, and is the ancestor of the Spragues in that town.
Jedediah, b. March 18th, 1713.

"The Genealogy of the Sprague's in Hingham", by Hosea Sprague, page 32. William Sprague had land given him by his father which he sold to Jacob Cushing, "beyond Pages Bridge" about the Saw mill. He lived in the house his father left, in Union Street. He was one of the select men chosen in 1690, in 1699 and again in 1708. He removed to Bridgewater. The road over the river was not laid out till 1735.

"History of Greene" (Maine)
William Sprague, Jr., went to Bridgwater and became progenitor of a large and prominent race, and Sprague Hill, of that town, honors the name.

"History of Hingham", Volume II, by George Lincoln, page 165. William Sprague removed between 1709 and 1711 to Providence, RI.
1690, 1699, 1708. Selectman of Hingham.

"The Tower Genealogy", by Charlemagne Tower, page 83.
Mary (Tower) Sprague was the second wife of William Sprague, who removed from Hingham to Providence, RI, where he died in 1723. He names several children by his former marriage, his wife Mary and her children, Rowland, Peter, Mary, and Judah. To his sons Rowland and Peter, he gives his homestead when they come to the age of twenty-one years; and to his daughters Mary and Judah he gives one hundred acres of land without the seven-mile limet when they come to the age of eighteen years. The homestead given to Rowland and Peter was situated mostly in Cranston. Rowland sold his portion to Peter, who by his will, after making provision for his wife, his daughter Amey, and grandson Abner, gives all the rest and residue of his property to his son William. The inventory of his personal property, made in 1790, shows the extent of his business as a farmer, while the prices of the products of the farm may be interesting and instructive by way of comparison with the prices of the same products at the present time. The following are selected for this purpose:
12 bu. of potatoes, 12s.: that is 16 2/3 cents per bu.
630 lbs. of pork, L10 10 s.; about 5 1/2 cents per lb.
55 lbs. of salt beef, 11 s. 6d; about 3 1/2 cents per lb. 80 lbs. of new milk cheese, L1 10s.; about 6 1/4 cents per lb. 61 lbs. of hog's lard, L1 5s. 5d.; about 7 cents per lb.
6 lbs. of butter, 3s. 6d.; nearly 10 cents per lb.
44 bu. of corn, L6 12s.; 50 cents per bu.
7 bu. of barley, 18s 8d.; about 44 cents per bu.
3.5 bu. of rye, 15 s. 9d.; 75 cents per bu.
.5 ton of English hay, 24s.; eight dollars per ton.
It will be seen that the price of Indian corn, then the great staple for bread, is about the same as at the present time; while all the other products of the farm, which then, as now, were necessary for the support of a family, were held at a greatly reduced rate. William Sprague the son of Peter and the residuary devisee under his father's will, died April 1, 1795, and by his will, after making provision for his wife and children, Sarah and Peter, gives all the rest and residue of his property to his sons Abner and William. William Sprague died in Cranston in 1836. In addition to his work as a farmer on the old homestead, he was one of the pioneer manufacutrers who have made the State of Rhode Island as noted and prosperous. He is remembered as a man of great capacity for labor, of indomitable energy and persevering industry, united iwth business qualifications in an eminent degree. The result of these valuable equipments is seen in the provisions of his will, wherein he makes liberal provision for his children and grandchildren, and gives all the rest and residue of his estate, "including mills and machinery, bleaching and printing-works, to his sons William and Amasa". With what success these sons conducted the business coming to them by this devise has already become a part of the history of Rhode Island, in the great wealth accumulated, and the high and honorable distinction attained by the capacity which these brothers evinced in the management of the great interests committed to them. William was elected to several offices of public trust, and became the Governor of the State and a Member of Congress. They were men of large stature and well proportioned. Amasa is remembered as a man of inflexible determination. He had the direct management of the printing-mills in Cranston; and being much annoyed by the rumsellers in the neighborhood in the effects of their business upon the operatives in the mills, he determined to break them up, and followed up this determination so closely as exceedingly to anger the men engaged therein. On his way home one night he was waylaid and brutally murdered. The murderers were arrested and tried. One was executed, and one was sentenced to State prison for life, where he died. The sons of Amasa, Amasa and William, succeeded to the business and wealth of their father, and William followed closely the career of his uncle in the offices to which he has been elected. At the commencement of the War of the Rebellion he was Governor of Rhode Island. He rendered the government efficient aid by the promptness with which he organized troops and early sent them forward, going himself as their commander. It would be pleasant could this brief sketch of enterprise, industry, and thrift stop here. But the sequel to the story is the old one so often found in the history of wealth gained in our country. The great fortune of this family, gained by the industry and enterprise of a few generations, and amounting in its accumulations to millions, has within the last twenty-five years passed from the possession of these brothers. Some portions of it probably remain among other descendants. One thing worthy of notice is that the real estate coming from Peter Sprague must, from its situation, lie, in part at least, in the very land which his ancestor, John Tower, bought of the Indians.

Marriage Notes for William Sprague and Mary Tower:
[Sprague.FTW]

(From the Sprague Genealogy, page 135.)
The marriage intentions of William Sprague and Mary Tower were
published Nov. 5, 1709.

Marriage Bann, 5 NOV 1709

Mary Sprague¹³⁴, born April 25, 1652 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^135,¹³⁶; died in Y¹³⁶. She married Thomas King¹³⁶ Abt. 1672 in Weymouth, Norfolk Co., MA ^137,¹³⁸; born February 25, 1652/53 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA¹³⁸; died in Y¹³⁸.

Notes for Thomas King:
[Sprague.FTW]

"Genealogy (in part) of the Sprague Families in America", by Augustus B. R. Sprague, page 16.)
Thomas King was from Scituate, MA.

xi.

Hannah Sprague¹³⁸, born February 25, 1654/55 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^139,^140,¹⁴¹; died March 31, 1658 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., MA ^142,^143,^144,¹⁴⁵.

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