Micajah Torrey, Sr.

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Micajah Torrey, Sr.

Birthdate:
Birthplace: Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
Death: January 20, 1710 (66)
Weymouth, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Colonial America
Place of Burial: Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States
Immediate Family:

Son of Capt. William Torrey and Elizabeth Torrey
Husband of Susannah Torrey (Giddings) and Susanna Torrey
Father of Dea. Micajah Torrey, Jr.; Margaret Chapin; Silence White; Samuel Torrey and Joshua Torrey
Brother of Naomi Lowell; Lieut. Josiah Torrey; Mary Downe; Judith Hunt and Angel Torrey
Half brother of Rev. Samuel Torrey and William Torrey

Managed by: Lori Lynn Wilke
Last Updated:

About Micajah Torrey, Sr.


Micajah Torrey, Sr., was the son of Captain William and Elizabeth Frye. He was born 10/12/1643. He was married to Susanna (date of marriage unsure and her last name unknown.)

Note: Micajah Torrey and Joshua Torrey, administrators of the estate of their father Dea. Micajah Torrey, late of Weymouth, 28 Feb. 1710-11. (Suffolk Probate, 17: 206.) Their account was presented 6 Jan. 1713.


Biography

Micajah Torrey Sr. was Elizabeth Fry's oldest son, and her first born in Massachusetts. His occupation was a Husbandman who actually raised crops. He became a FREEMAN, in1672

Burial and Property

FROM TOMBSTONE OF DEACON MICAJAH TORREY, SR.

Here lies Ye
Body of Deacon
Micajah Torrey
Aged About 66-7
Years Died
January Ye 20
1710

Research Notes

1) "MICAJAH, Weymouth, s. of the first William of the same, freem. 1672, by w. Susanna had Micajah, b. 27 July 1673; Mary, 22 Mar. 1681; Susanna, wh. d. 29 Oct. 1687; Samuel, 15 Jan. 1688; and perhaps others, not found on imperf. rec." --James Savage

2) NOTABLE RELATIONS

Deacon Micajah Torrey is a distant relation of President Wiliam H. Taft, Gov. Bob Taft of Ohio, Sen. John Kerry, Presidential Advisors William P. Bundy and McGeorge Bundy, Civil War hero Col. Charles Russell Lowell, poets James Russell Lowell, Robert Lowell, Amy Lowell, and Edgar Lee Masters, Sophia Peabody (Mrs. Nathaniel Hawthorne), publishers G. P. Putnam and Sons, writers Louisa May Alcott and Horatio Alger Jr., editor Horace Greeley, writer Horation Alger Jr., Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte Jr., the botonist John Torrey, genealogist Clarence Almon Torrey, abolitionist Charles Turner Torrey, Fannie Farmer, and The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson & Co.).


Supporting data

  • Genealogical notes, showing the paternal line of descent from William Torrey, of Combe St. Nicholas, Somerset County, England, A.D. 1557, to Jason Torrey, of Bethany, Pennsylvania, with the descendants of Jason Torrey, and of his brothers and sister, to A.D. 1884. (1885)
  • https://archive.org/details/genealogicalnote00torr
  • https://archive.org/stream/genealogicalnote00torr#page/n14/mode/1up
  • Pg.9
  • FAMILIES OF THE TORREY ANCESTRY.
    • 1
  • WILLIAM TORREY [1], of Combe St. Nicholas, in the County of Somerset, England, who died in June, 1557, leaving a will, in which he mentions Thomasyne, his wife, and "every of his children," without naming them.
    • 2
  • PHILIP T0RREY [2], son of the above William, and Margaret, his wife. His will is dated in 1604 ; mentions his son William, and daughter Dorothie : also his wife Margaret.
    • 3
  • WILLIAM TORREY [3], son of Philip (No. 2), and Jane, his wife. His wife died in April, 1639, at which date he was still living. The date of his death is not found. His son Philip had previously died.
    • 4
  • PHILIP TORREY [4], son of William (No. 3), and Alicie, his wife. He died in June, 1621, leaving a will dated 21 April, 1621, in which he mentions three daughters, Anne, Mary and Sarah, and four sons, William, James, Philip and Joseph.
  • https://archive.org/stream/genealogicalnote00torr#page/10/mode/1up
  • Pg.10
  • The will of the wife Alicie is dated in 1634. and mentions by name the same seven children, and states that the daughter Mary was deceased.
  • These four sons all emigrated to America in 1640, and located within a few miles of Boston, Mass., and seem to have been the ancestors of all the early families of the name in America. William and Joseph first located in Weymouth ; James in Scituate, and Philip in Roxbury. Although Philip raised a family, it is not learned that he had any son to transmit his family name to later generations. He died in Roxbury in 1686.
  • Joseph removed to Rehoboth, Mass., and subsequendy to Newport, R. I., where he was prominently active in public affairs. He died there in 1675. Nothing is learned concerning his descendants. James was accidentally killed by an explosion of powder in Scituate, in July, 1664, leaving five sons and five dauehters.
    • 5
  • WILLIAM TORREY [5], of Weymouth, Mass.. son of Philip (No. 4), usually designated as "Captain William Torrey," was born in Combe St. Nicholas, in England, in 1608. The church records show that he was baptized on 21 December of that year.
  • On 17th March, 1629, he was married to Agnes Combe, of Combe St. Nicholas. She died before he left England, and he was appointed administrator of her estate. In 1640 he came to America, bringing with him two sons, Samuel, born in 1632, and William, born in 1638, and settled in Wey-
  • https://archive.org/stream/genealogicalnote00torr#page/11/mode/1up
  • Pg.11
  • mouth, which was thereafter his home. It is believed that he brought his second wife with him from England. Six children were born to him in Weymouth, viz.: Naomi, Marv, Micajah, Josiah, Judith and Angel.
  • Besides which, he took two small children of his brother James, after their father's death, and brought them up with his family, viz.: Jonathan and Mary. Both of whom are in some of the records of early history erroneously referred to as his own children.
  • He died in Weymouth, June 10, 1690. He was our earliest ancestor w^ho resided in America. -
  • ______________________________
  • The ancestry and allied families of Nathan Blake 3rd and Susan (Torrey) Blake (1916)
  • https://archive.org/details/ancestryandalli01gendgoog
  • https://archive.org/stream/ancestryandalli01gendgoog#page/n113/mode...
  • Pg.61
    • TORREY FAMILY IN ENGLAND.
  • TORRY William1, who died June 1557 in Combe St. Nicholas, in the diocese of Bath and Wells, by his Will dated 7 Oct. 1556 and proved June 18, 1557, we read, "My body to be buried in the church-yard of Combe St. Nicholas; To the church of St. Andrews, in Wells twelve pence — To the church of Combe St. Nicholas 6 shillings, eight pence — To Elizabeth Screvyn, my servant a Chilver Sheep — To John Morys my servant a Chilver Sheep — To every of my children ten sheep — The residue of my goods not given in other bequests I give and bequeath to Tomasyne, my wife, whom I make and ordain sole executrice."
    • Witnesses of Will William Gollopp & Thomas Torry (two of the overseers)
  • .... etc.
  • https://archive.org/stream/ancestryandalli01gendgoog#page/n114/mode...
  • Pg.62
  • CHILDREN:
    • Phillip, b. ---- , married Margaret ---- , died leaving a will proved 31 Aug. 1604.
    • Emmett, b. ---- , m. Henry Cookney, was living in 1593.
    • William, b.— — .
  • TORRY Phillip2, son of William and Thomasyn, in his Will, made the last day of August 1604 we read, "Phillip Torry, late of Wadbrook, in the parish of Hawkschurch, Dorset, husbandman, etc., did make his last Will and testament, in his manner and form following, or the like in effect, viz.: To his son William Torry he did bequeath ten young sheep, and not any other chattel or goods whatsoever. He bequeaths all the rest of his goods to Margaret, his wife, and Dorothy, his daughter. And last of all he appoints his forenamed son William Torry the sole executor of his last Will and testament."
    • Witnessed by Henry Holcombe, John Cookney, with others.
    • Will proved 23d February 1604/5.
  • CHILDREN:
    • William married and was living in 1621.
    • Dorothy, married, living in 1604.
  • TORREY William,3 son of Phillip and Margarit, married and had a son Phillip whom he outlived.
    • Phillip, b. , married Alice, died 1621.
    • See will of Philip Torry2 of the 31 Aug. 1604. Who mentions his son William Torry.3
    • See will of Philip Torry4 of the 16 April 1621. Who mentions his father William Torry.3
  • TORRY Phillip4, of Combe St. Nicholas, Somerset, husbandman, by will dated 16 April 1621 and proved 27th June 1621, we read, "To be buried in the churchyard of Combe — to the relief of the poor of Combe three shillings four pence — Ann Torry, mine eldest daughter shall have threescore pounds when she shall accomplish the age of sixteen years, to be paid my overseers who shall take the government of it until she shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years — To her the biggest brass pan, to be delivered to her at the time of her marriage, and not before — To my daughter Mary Torry twenty pounds at sixteen — to be held (as before) until she is twenty one, and the second brass pan; to Sarah Torry, my daughter three
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  • Pg.63
  • and thirty pounds six shillings eight pence at sixteen (as before) and the second best brazen pot; to James Torry, my son thirty pounds at 16 (as before) four silver spoons when he is one and twenty — To my son Phillip Torry 20 lbs. at 16 (as before) and he shall be put at some trade, as apprentice, as soon as he is able — I give unto William Torry my son the biggest brazen pot, the furnace kettle, table &c with condition his mother shall have the use of it so long as she doth keep herself widow and dwelling in the house — To Joseph my son ten pounds — all the rest to my wife, whom I make sole executrix — My father William Torry, my cousin John Fry, John Richards, Robert Sellecke & Thomas Lambert to be overseers, & I give them 5 shillings apiece" —
    • Proved by Alice Torry, the widow —
  • Will of Alice Torry, widow of above Phillip .... etc.
  • https://archive.org/stream/ancestryandalli01gendgoog#page/n118/mode...
  • Pg.64
  • .... Hon. Alphonso Taft says: 'The line as I find it is William, who died in 1557, leaving a will. Phillip, his son who died in 1604, leaving a will — William, his son, who survived his son Phillip, but the date of whose death we have not — Phillip, who died in 1621, leaving a will, named his four sons who emigrated to America.' Mr. Taft also furnished, from the Bishop's Register at Wells, the following for Combe St. Nicholas: "
    • 1608, William, son of Phillip Torrie was bapt. 21 day of December.
    • 1608, Agnes, daughter of Joseph Combe was baptized the 4th of January.
    • 1629, William Torry was married unto Agnes Combe the 17 of March.
    • 1639, Jane, wife of William Torry was buried the 27 day of April.
  • Hon. Alphonso Taft was father to Ex-President Wm. H. Taft, Henry F. Waters, author of "Gleanings in England," was an authority of high rank — being sent by Harvard College on research work for historical purposes. He died in 1913, Salem, Mass.
  • From authentic record 'tis proved that the above Agnes Combe lived only one year after marriage. Wm. Torry then married Jane Haviland who died 1639, was mother of two sons brought to America — Samuel, b. 1632, William, b. 1638.
  • The photographs of the church .... etc.
  • CHILDREN:
    • William, Capt., bapt. at Combe, 21 Dec. 1608, m. (1) 17 March 1629, Agnes Combe, d. abt. 1630; m. (2) 1630 or 31 Jane Haviland, d. 27 Apr. 1639; m. (3) ----; d. at Weymouth, Mass., 10 June 1690.
    • James, Lieut., b. ---- , m. Anne Hatch at Scituate, Mass., 2 Nov. 1643, d. at Scituate, 6 July 1665.
    • Phillip, b. ---- , m. Mary, widow of John Scarborough,1 Oct. 1647, d. at Roxbury, 12 May 1686.
    • Joseph, Lieut., b. abt. 1615, was married, d. at Newport or Westerly, R. I., 1676.
    • Ann, oldest daughter.
    • Marie or Mary, d. before 1634.
    • Sarah.
  • https://archive.org/stream/ancestryandalli01gendgoog#page/n135/mode...
  • Pg.79
    • ORIGINAL TORRET EMIGRANTS.
  • Previous records have shown the genealogy of this family from 1500 to 1640 in England and well authenticated dates prove that the William Torrey born in 1608 was the 5th in line in this record, but for convenience we now assume the numeral (1) for him and his brothers as the first of this name in America. Will also state that all the records of the family here for the first two decades used the name "Torry." Then we find the letter (e) introduced to read "Torrey" on all documents and tombstones. In the year 1640 William,1 with his two young sons of 8 and 2 years of age, also his three brothers, James,1 Philip1 and Joseph1 and Cousin George Fry came to New England. William and Joseph first located in Weymouth, Mass., James in Scituate and Phillip in Roxbury.
  • James1 married Ann the daughter of Elder William Hatch, 2 Nov. 1643 at Scituate, Mass. In "Davis Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth" is found the statement that "the first clothing mill in Plymouth Colony was erected in 1643 by James Torrey on the first herring brook in Scituate." He was in military life and a lieutenant, was a man of great usefulness and respectability, was accidentally killed by an explosion of powder in Scituate 6 July 1665, leaving five sons and five daughters.
  • Phillip1 settled at Roxbury, Mass., and married Mary, widow of John Scarborogh, 1 Oct. 1647. In the Suffolk Deeds dated 5 March 1673/4, he made deposition that reads "Phillip Torrey age 59 years or ther about heretofor of Combe St. Nicholas in the County of Somersett untill the year 1640 (yeoman) in that year removeing to New England with William Torrey & Samuell his son both of the Sd Comb, St. Nicholas with whom hee Lived for severall years, & beeing arived in New England Settled & hath ever since Lived in Roxbury, in the County of Suffolk in New England, etc." — He died at Roxbury, 12 May 1686, and it is not known that any of his direct descendants are now living.
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  • Pg.80
  • Joseph1 came to America with his three brothers and settled at Weymouth, Mass. Although not in our line of descent his work should be included as it is one more life record of able and patriotic devotion to the colonies, and shows of what moral and mental fibre were the pioneers. He removed to Rehoboth, Mass., in 1643, and then to Newport, R. I., in 1644, and on the 3 July 1644, he with 29 others signed a compact for Good Government. In 1647 he and Obidiah Holmes were .... etc.
  • https://archive.org/stream/ancestryandalli01gendgoog#page/n138/mode...
  • Pg.82
    • FIRST GENERATION.
    • WILLIAM TORREY AND JANE HAVILAND.
  • TORREY Capt. William1 who is 5th in line of descent in England and of the 1st generation in America, was born at Combe St. Nicholas, Somerset, England, and baptized there 21 Dec. 1608 the son of Phillip and Alice Torrey. He married for his first wife, Agnes, daughter of Joseph Combe, 17 March 1629. She died about 1630. (For the following is found on record.) " 1630, Feb. 14. Was issued a commission to William Torrey late husband of Agnes Torrey, als. Combe deceased, whilst she lived of Combe St. Nicholas." He then married for his second wife, Jane, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Guise) Haviland about 1630 or 31. She died and was buried 17 April 1639, being the mother of Samuel, born 1632 and William born 1638. He again married a third wife, and neither her name, place or date of marriage are known, the latter, however, occurred before 1641. She was the mother of all the children born in America, he having come here in 1640 and settled at Weymouth, Mass. In him centers our chief interest ... etc.
  • https://archive.org/stream/ancestryandalli01gendgoog#page/n142/mode...
  • Pg.84
  • CHILDREN:
  • First wife not known to have had children.
  • Children by second wife:
    • SAMUEL, REV., b. in England, 1632, m. (1) 15 May 1657, Mary Rawson, d. 10 Sept. 1692; m. (2) 30 July 1695, Mary, widow of William Symmes, d. 12 Mar. 1720/1; d. at Weymouth 21 April 1707, ae. 75 yrs.
    • William, b. in England, 1638, m. Deborah Greene of Warwick, R. I., before 1670; d. at Weymouth 11 Jan. 1717/18, ae. 80 yrs.
  • Third wife:
    • NAOMY, b. at Weymouth, 3 Dec. 1641, m. John Lowell (?) of Boston, before 1665; d. after 1680 and before 1686.
    • MARY, b. at Weymouth, Aug. 4 or Dec. 3, 1642, m. William Downe.
    • MICAJAH, DEACON, b. at Weymouth, 12 Oct. 1643; d. at Weymouth, 20 Jan. 1710/11, a. 67 y.
    • JOSIAH, b. ---- , 1650, m. Sarah (Wilson) Batt, at Medfield, 5 May 1680.
    • ANGEL, b. at Weymouth, 10 June 1657, m. Hannah; lived at Mendon, Mass., d. at Bristol, R. I., 1725.
  • _____________________________

References

  1. "The Torrey families and their children in America" < Hathitrust >
  2. Richardson, Douglas. Royal Ancestry (2013) Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, 5 vols., ed. Kimball G. Everingham, (Salt Lake City, Utah: the author, 2013), Vol III, page 269, Elizabeth Frye.
  3. Stott, Clifford L., Humphrey Blake (1494?–1558) and His Descendants in New England and South Carolina: Blake, Richards, Selleck, Torrey, and Wolcott, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 2010) Vol. 164, WN 653, Page 66.
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Micajah Torrey, Sr.'s Timeline

1643
October 12, 1643
Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
1654
September 24, 1654
Age 10
Scituate, , Massachusetts
September 24, 1654
Age 10
Scituate, , Massachusetts
September 24, 1654
Age 10
Scituate Plymouth Ma
September 24, 1654
Age 10
Scituate, , Massachusetts
1673
July 27, 1673
Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States
1675
June 19, 1675
Weymouth, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
1683
1683
Weymouth, Norfolk , Massachusetts
1689
1689
Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States