Edward Raynsford

Owned part interest in four ships: Sarah, Swallow, Mary, and one unnamed ship. Arrived in Boston in 1630 aboard The Bullet with the Winthrop Fleet. Founder/Ruling Elder with Jacob Eliot (May 12, 1669) at the "Olde South Church" in Boston (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/old_south_church).

Deacon Edward Rainsford - was born about 1606 in Staverton, Northapmton, England and died on 16 Aug 1680 in Boston, MA and was buried in King's Chapel, Boston . He was the son of Robert Rainsford and Mary Kirton.

Deacon Edward married Mary in 1622. She died Jun 1632 in Boston, Mass .

Mary - Edward's first wfe died in Boston in June 1632 (no doubt as a result of the birth of her twins).

In 15 Dec 1633, "Elizabeth Ransford the wife of our brother Edward Ransford" was admitted to Boston church" - she died at Boston on 16 November 1688.

Deacon Edward - occupation: fisherman - admitted to Boston church as member #62 which would be winter of 1630-1; Deacon 1666 and 1667 3rd church.

Also came in the fleet of Winthrop. Edward Rainsford is listed on the ship "Abigail" 4 Jun 1635 with 220 passengers from Plymouth Egland to Boston Mass.

Rainsford Island, just off Boston, was named for one of earliest recorded settlers, Edward Rainsford, who had a farm there as early as 1636. In 1819, the Old Mansion House was built on the Great Head of Rainsford Island. Due to the structure of the house it was also known as the Grecian Temple. For many years thereafter, this was the chief summer resort on the island.

After his first wife, Mary, died in June 1632, probably as a result of complications in giving birth to twins, he remarried to Elizabeth, who on 15 December 1633 was "admitted to Boston Church." She died 16 november 1688. (Sources: - 1)

GEDCOM Note

Category:Gateway Ancestors Category: Boston, Massachusetts

status=development

Biography

Parentage; Date and Place of Birth ===Edward Raynsford, the fourth son and eighth child of Robert Raynesford and Mary Kirton, was baptized at Staverton, Northamptonshire, England on September 10, 1609.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/> He was probably born shortly before his date of baptism in or near Staverton.

Apprenticeship to Owen Rowe ===In 1626, at about the age of 17, Edward became bound as an apprentice to the prominent Puritan London merchant Owen Rowe for a term of 8 years::Edrus Raynsford filius Robti Raynsford de Staverton in Com Northton Armiger poss Owen Rowe civi et haberds London pro termino octo Annor a festo Penticosti ult dat ix die<ref name="Apprentice"/>

Immigration and Settlement in Boston ===Edward probably came to New England as part of the Winthrop Fleet of 1630.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/> and was certainly at Charlestown in thesummer of 1630, when his name was included among a list of members ofthe First Church of Boston.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/>

Occupation; Offices ===After coming to New England, Edward was involved in handling Owen Rowe's affairs in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In February 1635/6, Owen Rowe wrote from London to John Winthrop in the Colony asking him to "help forward that Mr. Ransford may be accomodated with lands for a farmeto keep my cattele, that so my stock may be preserved."<ref name="RoweCattle"/> It has been said that the land granted to Edward in response to this request may have been the island in Boston harbor that came to known as Rainsford Island;<ref name="RainsfordIsland"/> however, nodirect support for this assertion has been found. A letter by Edward to "his loving Master: Mr. Owen Rowe" in January 1637/8 requesting payment of 14 pounds to the assigns of John Winthrop<ref name="RoweBill"/> shows that Edward continued to represent Owen Rowe in the Colony until at least that date.

Edward took the oath of freeman at Boston on April 17,1637.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/> He was chosen as Selectmanat various times from 1662-1681, and was active in the First Church and later, after a dispute with the First Church's pastor, in the formation of the Third, or Old South, Church.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><refname="GreatMigration"/>
For most of his adult life, Edward's occupation was listed as a fisherman. However, when he wrote his will, he referred to himself as a merchant.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/>

First Marriage and Children ===Edward married first a woman whose identity is unknown.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/> Some family trees show her name as Mary, perhaps based on the fact that her daughter was given that name, but there are no records that indicate what her first name was. Based on the date of birth of their children, Edward and his first wife were probably married about 1631. Edward and his first wife had the following children, whose births were recorded at Boston:* Joshua (or Josiah), twin, b. June 1, 1632, d. September 1, 1632 at Boston<ref name="Rasmussen299-301"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/><ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHTB-4LW : 11 March 2018), Joshua Rainsford, 01 Jun 1632; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 8; FHL microfilm 592,866.</ref>* Mary, twin, b. June 1, 1632 , m. 1st by 1652 WilliamBasset, m. 2d abt June 1671 James Percival at Sandwich, Plymouth Colony, d. April 12, 1694 at Saconesset, Plymouth ColonyEdward's first wife died in June 1632,<ref name="Rasmussen296"/> probably as a result of giving birth to twins.<ref name="GreatMigration"/><ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHTB-4LQ : 11 March 2018), Mary Rainsford, 01 Jun 1632; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 8; FHL microfilm 592,866.</ref>

Second Marriage and Children ===Edward married his second wife, Elizabeth, sometime before December 15, 1633, when she was admitted to First Church as his wife.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/> Elizabeth's last name is unknown.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/> Edward and Elizabeth had the following children, whose births were recorded at Boston:# John, b. June 30, 1634, m. 1st abt 1660 Susannah Vergoose, m. 2d Sarah ___, d. in 1688<ref name="Rasmussen299-301"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/><ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHTB-4LH : 11 March 2018), John Rainsford, 30 Jun 1634; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 8; FHL microfilm 592,866.</ref># Jonathan, b. October 1636, m. November 29, 1656 Mary Sunderland at Boston, d. March 11, 1671 in Barbados<ref name="Rasmussen304-310"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/><ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHTB-4L8 : 11 March 2018), Jonathan Rainsford, Oct 1636; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 8; FHL microfilm 592,866.</ref># Ranis, b. June 4, 1638, m. March 3, 1655 Josiah Belcher at Boston, d. October 2, 1691 at Boston<ref name="Rasmussen299-301"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/><ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHTB-4LX : 11 March 2018), Ranis Rainsford, 04 Jun 1638; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 8; FHL microfilm 592,866.</ref># Nathan, b. October 1641, m. November 28, 1665 Mary Allen in Charlestown, d. before April 3, 1676<ref name="Rasmussen304-310"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/><ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHTB-4LJ : 11 March 2018), Nathan Rainsford, Aug 1641; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 8; FHL microfilm 592,866.</ref># David, b. August 29, 1644, m. 1st Abigail ____, m. 2d Hannah Griggs,d. November 28, 1691 at Boston<ref name="Rasmussen304-310"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/># Solomon, bpt. October 25, 1646, m. abt 1668 Priscilla Getchell, d. abt January 16, 1692/3<ref name="Rasmussen304-310"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/># Elizabeth, bpt. February 25, 1648, m. abt 1680 Capt. William Greenough, d. May 23 1688<ref name="Rasmussen304-310"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/># Hannah, bpt. January 1, 1650, probably died young<ref name="Rasmussen299-301"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/># Ann / Anna, b. February 1, 1651, m. September 18, 1651 Samuel Hough,d. before April 11, 1690<ref name="Rasmussen299-301"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/><ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHT1-WX1 : 11 March 2018), Anna Rainsford, 01 Feb 1651; citing Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, 31; FHL microfilm 592,866.</ref># Edward, bpt. October 15, 1654, m. Huldah Davis, d. 1688 in Barbados<ref name="Rasmussen304-310"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/>

Will, Death, Estate ===Edward made his will on August 3, 1680. A full transcription of his will can be found at Last Will & Testament of Edward Raynsford. His will refers to wife Elizabeth Raynsford, sons Solomon, David, Edward and John Raynsford, deceased sons Jonathan and NathanRaynsford, daughters Mary Parcyfull, Ranus Belchar, Elizabeth Greenaugh and Anna Hough, grandchildren Jonathan, Dorothy and Mary (children of son Jonathan Raynesford), and friends Edward Willis and John Hayward.

Edward died at Boston on August 16, 1680.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/> Hewas buried at King's Chapel, Boston, where his gravestone reads "Herelyes the body of Mr Edward Raynford Senior aged 71 years departed this life Ann Domini 16 82[sic]."<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="FAG"/> His estate was inventoried on September 3, 1680 and totalled the impressive sum of 1,638 pounds, including a house and land in Boston, land on Raynsford's Island and Long Island in Boston harbor, part interest in four ships, a warehouse containing fish and dry goods, and two young slaves.<ref name="Rasmussen296"/><ref name="GreatMigration"/>

Sources

<ref name="RainsfordIsland">[https://archive.org/stream/kingshandbookofb1882swee#page/178/mode/2.... Sweetser, "King's Handbook of Boston Harbor,"A Brief History of Rainsford Island," Moses King, 1882, p 179]</ref> <ref name="RoweCattle">"Winthrop Papers, Volume III, 1631-1637," The Massachusetts Historical Society, 1943, p 226</ref> <ref name="RoweBill">"Winthrop Papers, Volume IV, 1638-1644," The Massachusetts Historical Society, p 6</ref> <ref name="Apprentice">Worshipful Company of Haberdashers - Register of apprentice bindings 1610-1630, 223</ref> <ref name="Rasmussen296">Rasmussen, James A., "Edward Raynsford of Boston: English Ancestry and American Descendents," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 139, p. 296</ref> <ref name="Rasmussen299-301">Rasmussen, James A., "Edward Raynsford of Boston: English Ancestry and AmericanDescendents," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 139, pp 299-301</ref> <ref name="Rasmussen304-310">Rasmussen, James A., "Edward Raynsford of Boston: English Ancestry and AmericanDescendents," The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 139, pp 304-310</ref> <ref name="GreatMigration">Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants toNew England, 1620-1633, Volume 3, pp 1543-1548</ref> <ref name="FAG">"Edward Rainsford," Find-A-Grave Memorial ID 25448804</ref> <references/> See Also:* Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, Royal Ancestry series, 2nd edition, 4 vols., ed. Kimball G. Everingham, (Salt Lake City, Utah:the author, 2011), volume III, page 427, #14.* Douglas Richardson, Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, Vol. IV, 2013, p 463, #19*Leonard & Vincent, Visitations of Warwick 1619, (HSP 12) (1877), 48-5

• Misc Gen of Heraldica 3rd, 1898, 158-164* Gary Boyd Roberts, 'The New England Ancestry of H.R.H. The Princess of Wales,' NEHGR, 136, 85-103, 1982: The second royal descent, compiled by H. J. Young from F. N. MacNamara, Memorials of the Danvers Family(of Dauntsey & Culworth) (London, 1895), William F. Carter, The Quatremains of Oxfordshire (Oxford, 1936), volume 8 of the Moriarty manuscript collection, and a few other sources, is from Hugh Capet, King of France, d. 996, through counts of Hainault, Roucy, Montdidier, and Clermont, and the Clare, Wake, Duston, Grey of Rotherfield, Breton, Quatremain, Bruley, Danvers, Langston and Giffard families. These kinships are explored in 'The Mowbray Connection,' 7: 162-166, 174, 175.* Samuel Barfield, Thatchem, Berks, and its Manors (Oxford, 1901), edited by James Parker (for further particulars on Alice Danver's ancestry)

Acknowledgements

Magna Carta Project

: Magna Carta trail : is listed in Magna Carta Ancestry as a Gateway Ancestor, but is not currently in a trail to a MagnaCarta Surety Baron that has been reviewed/approved by the Magna Carta project. See Base Camp for more information about Magna Carta trails. ~ Noland-165 10:08, 22 November 2018 (UTC) :: Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, Royal Ancestry series, 2nd edition, 4 vols., ed. Kimball G. Everingham (Salt Lake City, Utah: the author, 2011), Vol I, pp xxiii-xxix