Robert Follett

Robert William Follett: Birth: APR. 8, 1625 • Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, US. Death: NOV. 4, 1708 • Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, US It is uncertain whether Robert Follett was born in America or in England. His birthdate is estimated between 1625 and 1630. There was a Robert Follett christened 2/2/1626, born to John Follett in Dartmouth, Saint Savior, Devon, England. There were other christenings of Robert Follett listed in close time period, also in Devon, England, the closest being a Robert christened 4/8/1627 at Exeter, Saint Sidwell, Devon, England and one 12/3/1637, also at Dartmouth. One of these could be our man.

Another possibility is that Robert was the son of William Follett, believed to be born in Dover, Essex, N.H. in 1607.

We do know Robert Follett was married on September 29, 1655 in Salem, Essex County, Mass. to Persis Black.Persis was likely born around 1634 in America, to John and Susannah (wife's name uncertain) Black, originally from England. John Black was known to come to this country either in 1629 on the ship "The Talbot" or possibly in 1630 on The Winthrop. - Persis had a younger sister, Lydia Black, born in 1636 in Mass., an older sister Elizabeth Black (b. about 1631 and who had several marriages) and a brother John Black (b. abt 1642), all born in the Salem area.

A mention of Robert's arrival in Salem in 1655 was also made in a book by Meredith B. Colket, Jr., Founders of Early American Families: Emigrants from Europe 1607-1657. (I have not been able to find this book, only a reference to it and other books by Colket.)

He and Persis remained in Salem and had at least 10 children that are recorded in the international registry. Their son John (aka John I in my writings - b. 7/10/1669 - d. 1718) is the son that carried the Follett line to my family. Their other children included:

Mary (born 3/16/1656),

Robert (born 7/2/1659)

Susanna (born 6/1/1662),

Hannah (born 12/24/1664 - died after 1742),

Abraham (born 12/23/1671 - died 12/16/1724),

Ruth (born 10/17/1667 but died 1668),

Isaac and Rebecca (twins born 7/30/1674, Isaac lived until after 1709

Benjamin (born 1676 - died 1752).

Robert and Persis Follett joined the First Church of Salem in 1686 according to church records. Their children followed at different points in time. My ancestor, John, became a member at age 18.

As far as livelihood, Robert was listed on various public records as a "shoreman" or "farmer" or "husbandman." He owned property: a house and lot and a farm of 130 acres. I believe Persis may have died around 1702 or 1703. Because, not long after, Robert first transferred his house and the lot to a grandson, William Herbert (son of Mary) in 1703. And the next year, 1704, he transferred his farm and "all property" - including cattle, horses and sheep - to his sons Isaac and Benjamin.

Robert William Follett died and was buried in Salem in 1708. I am guessing his wife Persis had died just a few years before, probably around 1702 - 1704. Based on the estimate of his birth date, he would have been in his mid-70's at the time of his death, a good long life for a man of that time.

Sources: Information on some dates was obtained from the website sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) based on their review of the International Genealogical Index and contributed information from LDS members. - Additional information was obtained through the writings of Harry Parker Ward (Folletts, 1893) and "The Pioneers of Massachusetts" information through ancestry.com.

Savage New England REgister says:

FOLLET, JOHN, Dover 1640. NICHOLAS, Dover, s. of William, had w. Hannah and s. Nicholas, b. 5 Nov. 1677, and Sarah; was a deputy to convent. 1689, on overthrow of Andros. Belkn. I. 122. His wid. m. Richard Nason. PHILIP, Dover 1671-5.

ROBERT, Salem, m. 29 Nov. 1655, Persis Black, had Mary, b. 16 Mar. 1657; Robert, 20 Sept. 1659; Susanna, 1 June 1662; Hannah, 23 Dec. 1664; Ruth, 17 Dec. 1667, d. 21 May foll.; John, 10 July 1669; Abraham, 23 Dec. 1672; Isaac, and Rebecca, tw. 30 July 1674. WILLIAM, Dover 1651, m. 20 July 1672, prob. as sec. w. Elizabeth wid. of William Drew.

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jun 3 2018, 22:33:38 UTC