Robert Waterman of Marshfield

Robert Waterman of Marshfield

Summary

• Origins and Parents: Unknown [Jacobus, Granberry 175, 342, Waterman 15]
• Birth: c 1608 in England [estimated] (seen as 11/16/1612 without evidence)
• Marriage 9 Dec 1638 in Marshfield, Plymouth, MA to Elizabeth Bourne (1617–1663) daughter of Thomas Bourne. She m/2 Thomas Tildon. She was buried at Marshfield 12 Dec 1663. [Plymouth Colony 1:118 Records; The Mayflower Descendant, 13-84]
• Arrival by 1638 Marshfield when his marriage was recorded.
• Death 10 Dec 1652 in Marshfield, MA [Mashfield VR 2:5 “The Names of ye burials Robert Watterman deceased The 10 of december 1652”]
• Inventory 13 Jan 1652/3 Widow Elizabeth Admin for his estate 1 Mar 1652/3 [MD 11:100 citing Court Orders III;19; Plymouth Col Wills Vol 1: Fol. 118] Intestate [MD 11:103]

Disputed Origins

Four man with the surname Waterman came to New England before 1640:

1. John Waterman of Sudbury [1639 on Jonathon; Sudbury (passenger list and land grant only see NEHGR 32:410; SuTR 10] (No profile on GENI)
2. Richard Waterman of Salem and Rhode Island
3. Robert Waterman of Marshfield
4. Thomas Waterman of Roxbury

The Waterman immigrants of New England have been studied in depth by some of the leading genealogists of our time including extensive research by Donald Lines Jacobus. No evidence has ever been published as to their parents or origins. There is no known relationship between them.

Trees found on the Internet proposing parents for any of the four Waterman immigrants are complete fantasies and should be discounted by serious researchers. It is interesting to see the claim bandied about that a Thomas Waterman and Lydia Chadwick were parents of the immigrants on FindAGrave.com. This is a pure conflation of Theophilus Waterman born March 27, 1752 who married Lydia Chadwick Waterman Gen 1906 p 36. Another variation on the Internet shows a Thomas Waterman and Mary Bird as the parents of the immigrants. A Thomas Waterman did marry a Mary Bird on 1 Apr 1624 in Bishop's Stortford, Herfordsshire. This couple married too late to be the parents of the immigrants and no evidence connecting them to the New England family has ever been suggest by any genealogist. See Hyde, Myrtle Stevens. The Ancestry of Prudence Bird, wife of Martin Kellogg of Braintree, Essex, England: (who had descendants in New England). American Genealogist (D.L. Jacobus). (April 1996) 71:92 Neither of these couples are seen in any of the extensive genealogies of the New England Watreman families. They are modern day Internet myths and nothing more. A Robert Waterman, son of Thomas, was christened Nov 16 1612 Sedbergh, York, England, with a record attached to this Geni profile: it’s been removed.

Children

Per Jacobus, Waterman 19 Children of Robert Waterman and Elizabeth Bourne all born in Marshfield:

1. John b 19 Apr 1642 d 14 Sep 1718
2. Thomas b 30 Nov 1644 d 19 Jun 1708
3. Joseph b 1649 d 1 Jan 1712
4. Robert b 1652 d 18 May 1741 Court Orders IV:115 6 Feb 1665: Josias Winslow and Anthony Snow are approved by the court to be guardians to his sons Robert and Joseph

Disputed children

Not listed in Marshfield Vital Records:

• Elizabeth Waterman (Died soon)
• Joseph Waterman, born about 1647, died young

.

Biography

“ROBERT1 WATERMAN is first recorded on December on 1638, when he married Elizabeth 2 Bourne at Marshfield in Plymouth Colony. She married as her second husband Thomas Tilden, who was baptized on January 19, 1618/19, at Tenterden, county Kent, England. She was buried at Marshfield on December 12, 1663. On March 5, 1638/39, Waterman was bonded in the amount of twenty pounds for William Heller of Plymouth to assure his keeping the peace and appearing at the next Court. On May 7, 1639, he bought a:”

• "garden place .... in the new Streete in Plymouth a foresd between the Land of Mr John Done ... & of Mr Andrew Hellott .... together with all the tymber for buildinge fence in about the same." [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

“ Waterman sold this lot to Edward Winslow who resold it in 1646. On September 3, 1639, Waterman was fined forty shillings "for being drunken." This was on the same occasion that Mr. John Holmes, the Messenger, was fined forty shillings "for drinking inordinately." According to an account published in the ninth volume of Colonial Families of America, Robert, on December 3, 1639, was a participant in an action for trespass against Thomas Clarke for twenty pounds, which was decided for the plaintiff. This same source says that he was apparently a seafaring man, as he negotiated with Mr. Winslow to undertake the shipping of five cows by water. On September 7, 1642, Robert Waterman was propounded for freeman, and admitted and sworn on March 7, 1642/43. On the same date he was appointed a member of the Grand Jury from Marshfield. On June 6, 1643, lie was on the Grand Inquest. Also in 1643, Waterman was listed among the inhabitants of Marshfield between sixteen and sixty and able to bear arms.” [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

On August 29, 1643, Robert Waterman first appears as Committee or Deputy from Marshfield to the Plymouth Colony General Court. He again appears as Deputy on March 5, 1643/44; June 5, 1644; August 20, 1644, when he was noted as absent; March 3, 1645/46; July 7, 1646; June 1, 1647; June 7, 1648; June, 1649, and June 4, 1650. [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

The Marshfield Town Records show that on September 27, 1643, Robert Waterman and Thomas and John Bourne were appointed to keep watch at Thomas Bourne's house. On February 27, 1643/44, when the inventory of John Atwood of Plymouth was taken, there appeared under the heading of "Debts in the booke" an item of two pounds, ten shillings and six pence due from Robert Waterman and also "2 lines & a leade & a bushell of Corne." Waterman was mentioned in the course of a dispute between James Skiffe and Samuel Jenney "for the sayle." On March 5, 1643/44, the General Court ordered that the sail should be brought to town to be appraised, and damages allowed, "and that the said James Skiff shall have the said sayle & the damage to deliu to Robte Waterman, with the boate hee hath sold him." OnJune 5, 1644, "The action depending betwixt Henry Coggen, pltiffe, & Robert Waterman, deffent, for a cannow, is, by consent of both parties, referred unto Anthony Thacher and Mr Thomas Dimmack, to be ended by them." [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

In 1645, Waterman was one of those to agitate for the establishment of a school, and contributed ten shillings for it. On July 7, 1646, Waterman was one of "the Men nominated and appoynted in cuery Towne to recouer the Excise & gather it" for Marshfield. Thomas Howells' inventory was taken on May 31, 1648, and showed "cattell at Robert Watermans" valued at thirty-eight pounds and two shillings. The "cattle" consisted of a five-year old cow and a calf, two books, a gun, and various other items. Howells also had cattle in Thomas 1 Bourne's keeping. [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

Robert and his father-in-law, Thomas 1 Bourne, were witnesses to the will of William Launders on December 19, 1648, and Launders left "To the children of Robert Watterman My frend one Cow and Calfe" and appointed "My two frends Mr Thomas Burne and Robert Waterman my executers." The inventory was taken by Josias Winslow and Anthony Snow, and showed that Launders owed one pound and five shillings to Robert Waterman and Joseph Bedell; another item ofone pound "To Robert Waterman for Diet," and still a further debt of five shillings to Waterman "for one hoggshed." On June 8, 1649, a committee ofnine was appointed to lease the Kennebec trade, an important source of revenue to the Colony. Mr. William Collier and Robert Waterman were two of the members. The Court order was that "The first Tusday in July is apointed for those to meet together who are apointed to treat & order the letting of the trade." Waterman, however, was absent at the July meeting. It is of interest to note that on June 24, 1649, a town meeting was held "at Robert Wattermanes." [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

In 1649 Edmond Weston of Duxbury sold land at Marshfield to Waterman for fourteen pounds and ten shillings already paid, and three pounds and fifteen shillings to be paid. Before the deed was acknowledged on January 11, 1652/53, Thomas Bourne engaged to pay the balance o( three pounds and fifteen shillings for his son-in law. On February 3, 1652/53, Weston gave Bourne a receipt for the above amount. [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

One of the last records ofWaterman before his death is of a fine of fifty shillings imposed by the General Court on him on March 4, 1650/51. When the inventory of Henry Drayton's estate was taken on March 2, 1651 /52, among the debts due from the estate was one to "Robert Waterman for 2 load and an halfe of hay in 1650." [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

Estate

“Robert Waterman died at Marshfield on December 10, 1652, and the inventory of his estate was taken on January 13, 1652/53, by Anthony Snow. On March 1, 1652/53, the widow Elizabeth was appointed administratrix, and the inventory was exhibited on her oath on June 6, 1653. On August 2, 1653, the Court ordered that a debt due Joseph Roes be collected, and "the said goods of the said Roes may bee equally deuided betwixt the widdow Waterman and the said Josepth Roes." The inventory of Waterman's estate was a long and interesting one including a house and lands valued at thirty pounds, "wearing apparrell" valued at twenty pounds and ten shillings, two cows, two calves, one steer, one heifer, twelve books "and som smale pamplits," brass kettles, candlesticks, pewter dishes, iron pots and kettles, one fowling piece, a codline with leads and hooks, a table, two chests, a trundle bed, a cradle, three chairs, two flockbeds, a sword and "bandalleers," five hens, three small swine, and a looking glass.” [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

“On October 6, 1659, "Att this Court open proclamation was made, that if any shall come in betwixt this date and the Generall Court, to be holden att Plymouth, the first Tusday in March next, and can claime any just debt from the estate of Robert Waterman, satisfaction shalbee made proportionable to the said estate, or otherwise a quietus est will then be granted to Elizabeth, sometimes the wife of the said Robert Waterman." The quietus est was accordingly granted on June 7, 1660.” [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

“On February 6, 1665 J66, the General Court approved Mr. Josias Winslow and Anthony Snow "to bee gaurdians to two of the sonnes of Robert Waterman, deceased, viz, Josepth Waterman and Robert Waterman; and supposing that Robert Waterman is vnder age, the Court appoints the said Mr. Winslow and Anthony Snow to bee gaurdian to him, as aboue said." This would naturally be supposed to have taken place shortly after Ehzabeth (Bourne) Waterman's death, but that it is known that she died in 1663 . Possibly the guardians were appointed two years after her death, merely as a measure of financial protection for the two boys, as there was a notation made on July 7, 1670, that Josias Winslow had received thirty pounds from Ehzabeth from the sale of a parcel of land, which he had used for the payment of Waterman's debts. She had sold this land to Thomas Tilden, and Winslow specifically stated that "this sale was made by her to the said Tilden, before her marriage with him." Waterman's inventory had only amounted to seventy-eight pounds, while his debts were a hundred and fourteen pounds. OnJuly 7, 1670, die Court formally approved of the sale of the house to Tilden.” [L. Effingham deForest Moore and Allied Families: 572-78]

Sources

1. Robert Charles Anderson, Great Migration Directory p 260
2. Plymouth Colony Deeds (from microfilm; Volume 1 has been published as Volume 12 of PCR) 1:107, 7:14, 12:42;
3. Winthrop Papers, 1498-1654, 6 volumes, various editors (Boston 1925-1992) 4:262
4. Vital Records of Marshfield, Massachusetts, to the year 1850, Robert M. Sherman and Ruth Wilder Sherman, eds. (Picton Press, 1970)
5. Plymouth Town Records: Marshfield: 1:3
6. Plymouth Colony Probate Records (from microfilm) 1:118
7. Mayflower Descendant, Volume 1 through present (1899-1937, 1985+) 2:4-7; 11:100-104, 182, 13:89, 16:24 (Robert Waterman died at Marshfield, 10 Dec 1652, his inventory was taken 13 Jan 1652; his widow Elizabeth was appointed administratix 1 Mar 1652.)
8. L. Effingham deForest and Anne Lawrence deForest, Moore and Allied Families: The Ancestry of William Henry Moore (New York 1938) 572-78
9. The Waterman Family, in Jacobus, Donald Lines, and Edward Francis Waterman. The Waterman Family (New Haven, Conn. (I and II); Hartford, Conn. (III): E.F. Waterman (I and II); The Connecticut Historical Society (III), 1939, 1942, 1954) 1:15, 619
10. New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 1 through present (1847+) 5:259, 6:185, 8:191, 23:204; 58:364
11. Donald Lines Jacobus, The Granberry Family and Allied Families (Hartford 1945) 175, 342
12. Torrey 3:1605 1638 Plymouth: WATERMAN, Robert (-1652) & Elizabeth BOURNE (ca 1618-1663), m/2 Thomas TILDEN 1653; 11 Dec 1638; Plymouth/Marshfield {Granberry 175, 342; Reg. 5:259, 6:185, 8:191, 23:204; Frame-Dana 299; Backus Anc. 57; Waterman (1906) 17; Waterman (1939) 15, 619; Moore Anc. 124, 572; LBDF&P 4:131; Snow-Estes 1:436, 2:145, 151; Duxbury 333; MD 11:100, 13:89, 16:24; Tilson 37; Shutleff 1:50, 67; Cary Anc. 42; Foster 67; Sv. 1:219; Briggs Anc. 96, 99}
13. The American Genealogist 51:242
14. The Tilson Genealogy page 482: (Inventory of estate of Robert Waterman of Marshfield, taken 13 Jan 1652/3, on oath of Elizabeth Waterman of Marshfield by Anthony Eames, Edmond Hicksman, Mark Evans and Anthony Snow. Amount œ78. Letters of Administration granted to Elizabeth Waterman, 1 Mar 1652/3)
15. Snow-Estes Ancestry by Snow, Nora Emma 1939 page 145-147 (Robert Waterman, yeoman, was of Plymouth, where he bought land May 7, 1639, but he removed to Marshfield, and was a freeman Mar. 7, 1642. A proprietor 1643; in Plymouth militia, 1643; a deputy in 1646; and a town officer. he settle next north to his brother-in-law, Josias Winslow, Sr. on Marshfield Neck, and the latter with Anthony snow were appointed guardians to his two sons Joseph and Robert, Feb 6, 1665, after their mother's death, Mar 1, 1652, his widow was appointed administratrix of his estate, an inventory of which was taken and appraised by "Mr Anthony Eames Mr Hinksman Marke Eames and Anthony Snow the 13th Day of January 1652, exhibited att the court holden at Plymouth the sixt of June 1653, on the oath of Elizabeth Waterman.")
16. Plymouth Colony deeds, III:169:"Marshfeild the 4th of July 1670... wheras the Court of Plymouth was please formerlyy to graunt a Certaine p'sell of land and meddow unto Mr Jonathan Brewster late of Duxburrow, neare adjacent to the late fferey of and between Marshfeild and Scittuate which said land was allianated ... by the said Jonathan to old howell late of Marshfeild aforsaid, and three other p'sons; and after the death of the said howell; the Court thought meet to appoint Edmond Weston o Duxburrow to makesale of the said howells p'te whoe sold the same to Robert Waterman of Marshfeild aforsaid Deceased which said lands; I whose name is underwritten can testify that Elizabeth the late wife of Robert Waterman; and exequtrix of the said Robert, did make sale of the said p'sell of Land to Thomas Tilden of the Towne aforsaid for thirty pounds for the better Inabling her to; satisy the Creditors, her husband Waterman was Indebted unto; which said lands was put into the Inventory; and that I did receive; all or the Most p'te of the prise of the said land, and payed Debts therwith for and in her behalfe; as will or may appeer by severall acquittances from the creditors and this sale was made by her to the said Tilden, before her marriage with him; which said land the said Tilden sol afterwards to William Shurtley. me Josias Winslow; As to the truth of what is heer written I doe further testify to the account as knowne by mee John Bourne The above witten was ordered by the Court to bee Recorded July 7th 1670'
17. M.A. Thomas: Memorials to Marshfield (1854) p 40
18. W.T. Davis Ancient landmarks of Plymouth (1883) 1:180, 2:27
19. The Waterman Family, Volume 1. Page 19. GoogleBooks, AncestryImage
20. Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data:Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook). Marshfield Town Records: Waterman Families.AncestryImage

    ---

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50587840/robert-waterman

Parents: Thomas Waterman and Lydia Chadwick
of Norwich, England
Spouse: Elizabeth Bourne m 12/11/1638
Child: Joseph Waterman m Sarah Snow
Child: John Waterman m Ann Sturtevant
Child: Thomas Waterman m Miriam Tracy
Child: Elizabeth Waterman
Child: Robert Waterman