Ebenezer Truesdell

Ebenezer Truesdell probably accompanied his brother Richard to the New Roxbury or Woodstock area after 1700. He was an early settler in the Quinnebaug Valley where in 1708 he bought a house and land from Thomas Goodell in the southeast part of the Mashamugget Purchase, now included in Abington. When married in Boston by Samuel Sewall, he was noted as from Woodstock, she from Brookline. On 3 May 1713 his name was added to the list of petitioners to the General Court (of MA) for separate incorporation. He was a member of the committee to select the site for the town meeting house and also on the special committee to "provide a good dinner." As of Pomfret, on 5 January 1713/4 he sold to James Holmes for 24 [pounds] a tract of 50 acres. In 1714, with his wife Rachel, he sold other land in Pomfret to Johathan Hyde, not recorded until 1720. In December 1724 he was chosen Constable. In 1750 when he died, he was probably visiting his son, Ebenezer Jr., at Dudley.

Ebenezer Truesdell at the age of 65 made his will the day before his death. After the customary phrases on worldliness, death and burial, he bequeathed the household effects with 60 [pounds] annually to his wife. Designating Ebenezer Jr. as sole executor, he gave Ebenezer Jr. his land (70 acres) and all bonds and funds (amount not stated) but charged him with all expenses and bequests. The latter included: to Joseph 300 [pounds], to "my Daughter Warner 50 [pounds] six months after Rachel's death, and to Thomas' five children, 15 [pounds] each. The will was probated in Worcester Co., MA before judge Joseph Wilder on 22 August 1750 and initial settlement allowed 24 August 1751.

Walter G. Ashworth

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Feb 19 2021, 22:11:06 UTC