Some state her father was SAMUEL Bancroft. Others state her father was THOMAS Bancroft and either 1st wife Margaret Wright or 2nd wife Hannah.
DAUGHTER OF SAMUEL BANCROFT
https://archive.org/details/stilesfamilyinam00stil/page/82/mode/2up...
The Stiles Family in America by Henry Reed Stiles 1895
pg 83-87 John Stiles b. Dec 10, 1665 settled at Windsor, Conn. He married (1) Ruth Bancroft, dau of Samuel, of Westfield, Mass., who died in childbed,
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Descendants_of_John_Porter...
The Descendants of John Porter of Windsor, Conn. 1635-9
Volume 1 1893
pg 176
John Stiles born Dec 101661, m. abt 1685 Ruth Bancroft, dau of Samuel Bancroft of Westfield Mass
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Encyclopedia_of_Connecticut_Bi...
Encyclopedia of Connecticut Biography
Genealogical-memorial; Representative Citizens · Volume 3 1917
pg 267
John Stiles, was b. Dec 10 1665, died May 20 1753. His first wife was Ruth, dau of Samuel Bancroft of Westfield, Mass. who died 1714.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Biographical_Sketches_of_the_G...
Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College: October 1701-May 1745
By Franklin Bowditch Dexter · 1885
PG 264
Isaac Styiles, the third child and eldest son of John Stiles... His mother was Ruth, dau of Samuel Bancroft of Westfield, Massachusetts.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_History_of_Ancient_Windsor...
The History of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut
By Henry Reed Stiles · 1859 (there was a reprint 2009)
pg 784
JOHN of W., Ct, m. 1, Ruth Bancroft (b. at Westfield, Mass., dau. of Samuel Bancroft), who d. in childbed, 1714 . . .
DAUGHTER OF THOMAS BANCROFT, and 2ND WIFE
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/48654/images/Winds...
Families of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut
pgs 40-41
Thomas son of John of Lynn was at Springfield Mass 8 Dec 1653. In 1654 resided at what is now Thompsonville Conn. He married Margaret dau of Samuel Wright. He married 2ndly ----? Thomas died 14 Sept 1684
Children: the first seven by the first wife
9. Ruth, b. 29 Aug., 1670, at Westfield; m. John Stiles (being #9, she was child of 2nd wife)
https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Authors_Ancestry/cAQM...
American Authors' Ancestry
(including Some Others who Have Influenced Life Wisely- Divines, Diplomats, Jurists, Philanthropists, Reformers, and Benefactors)
By John Osborne Austin · 1915
pg 85
Thomas Bancroft m. Hannah. He b. 1653 d. 1684 Westfield, Enfield. Mass
They had Ruth Bancroft b 1670, Aug 29 d. 1714 She m. John Stiles
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/8174374:2495?tid=...
Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988
TAKEN FROM HAMPSHIRE RECORDS OF BIRTH, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
pg 23
Ruth ye Daughter of Thomas Bancroft borne Aug: 29th 1670
I would think the last source (HAMPSHIRE RECORDS OF BIRTH, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS) should determine THOMAS was her father, although it is a transcription and could be wrong. But why do so many choose Samuel as her father?
If Thomas is the correct father, who was the correct mother?
Thomas married Margaret Wright, dau of Samuel and Margaret (Stratton) Wright, as his first wife in 1653.
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=NcIMAAAAYAAJ&pg=GBS.PA3...
Wright, Joseph W. "Genealogical Notice of Samuel Wright of Springfield, Mass." New England Historical and Genealogical Register 4:355 (1850)
pg 356
Dea. Samuel Wright m. Margaret ---- Springfield, Mass. They had 8 children.
#4 Margaret m. Thomas Bancroft, Dec. 8 1653
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=_P1v1mqnsOYC&pg=GBS.PA2...
Wright, William K. "The Wrights of Northampton, Mass." New England Historical and Genealogical Register 40:280-284. (1886)
pg 281
Dea. Samuel Wright by wife Margaret, had children:
#4 Margaret, m. Thomas Bancroft, Dec 8 1653
If Margaret married 1653 and died 1672, she would be the mother of Ruth born 1670.
Geni states Ruth's mother was Hannah whose profile Overview Hannah Barber states"
"HANNAH was the 2nd wife of Thomas Bancroft (1621-1684, son of John) They married 16 November 22, 1676 in Hadley, Hampshire, MA."
If Hannah married 1676 and Ruth was born 1670, the first wife Margaret Wright would be Ruth's mother. I've not seen a good source for the date of Hannah's marriage.
It gets worse. When did the 1st wife Margaret Wright die? GENI states she died 1672 and husband remarried 1676.. According to the will of Margaret Wright's supposed mother, made in 1681, Margaret was still alive in 1681 well after her husband's 2nd marriage. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YY-FSV9-8
Findagrave gives her death as 1699.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113298527/margaret-bancroft
Margaret Wright Bancroft
Birth
1633
England
Death
17 Dec 1699 (aged 65–66)
Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA
So, who were the parents of Ruth? Samuel or Thomas? Margaret or Hannah?
