Bio

Biography

ROBERT ASHLEY first appears on record as a resident of Springfield, Hampden, MA, Jan. 13, 1638/39, when there was a rating of £40 agreed upon to meet a portion of the expense of the minister's residence and maintenance. ROBERT's share was £1 for the former and 16s. for the later. His name appears fifth on the list, indicating he must have been in Springfield in 1638.

Mr. Pynchon, founder of Springfield
Mr. Holyoke, father-in-law of Mr. Pynchon's daughter
Mr. Moxon, the minister
Henry Smith, Mr. Pynchon's son-in-law
ROBERT ASHLEY
The second division of land, of Jan. 5, 1640/41, provided 8 rods for those who were single, 10 rods if married, and 12 rods for those with bigger families. ROBERT had lot No. 3 of 8 rods, he being unmarried, situated between the Widow Searle and John Dibble.

On Aug. 7, 1641, a record was filed stating "there is a marriage shortely intended between the widdow Horton and Robert Ashly, both of Springfield." The instrument provided that ROBERT would have the use of the widow's land, 15 acres, and would use the land to pay for the education of her two young sons, and when they reached the age of 21, they would gain ownership of the property.

Although the marriage was not recorded in Springfield, it is known that he married about 1641, and that his wife bore the name Mary, and after 1641 the widow Horton's name disappears from the records. She was the widow of Thomas Horton, and thought to be MARY EDDY.

ROBERT ASHLEY was licensed to keep an ordinary (groceries and liquor) in 1646, and on Jan. 22, 1651/52, he received a grant of land on Mill River on the condition he should keep the ordinary. Keeping an ordinary in those days was a highly respectable positon, filled by those considered responsible citizens. He continued to keep the ordinary until 1660, at which time he turned it over to Samuel Marshfield.

He probably placed his house on the hillside to the west of that part of West Springfield now known as Riverdale. Tradition says that all the earliest settlers built their houses along the hill for fear that floods would cover the plain below. This plain stretches about two miles to the north from Meeting-house Hill and was the first part of West Springfield to be cultivated.

On Nov. 1, 1653, ROBERT was chosen one of five selectmen, and was reelected annually until 1659, and then three more times after that. He took the oath of fidelity Mar. 23, 1655/56.

All three sons of ROBERT and MARY left there birthplace, Springfield, for other towns. David married Hannah Glover of New Haven, New Haven, CT, and settled in Westfield, Hampden, MA. Jonathan married Sarah Wadsorth of Springfield, and settled in Hartford, Hartford, CT. Joseph, the youngest son, married Mary Parsons of Northampton, Hampshire, MA, and settled in West Springfield, Hampden, MA.

ROBERT died Nov. 29, 1682, and MARY the following Sep. 19, both in Springfield. Both are buried there in unmarked graves.