Elizabeth Dunster

In 1644, Henry Dunster married Elizabeth, with whom he had five children. Elizabeth Dunster died on September 12, 1690.

"He married for his second wife Elizabeth--, who appears to have been well educated and to have had a superior mind. Their children were: David, Dorothy, Henry, Jonathan and Elizabeth. "

She is said to have emigrated from England at age 18, perhaps with her sister Helen or Eleanor, who married Joseph Hills of Malden.

President Dunster died at Scituate, Feb. 27, 1659-60. In his will, which was dated Feb. 8, 1658, he directs that his body be interred in Cambridge, by his "lovinge wife" and other relations. He made special legacies to persons, who, through his life, had been his most unrelenting persecutors; also to a number of relatives and friends, among whom he mentions "my cousin Bowers,'1 "my cousin fayth Dunster," "my sister Willard," and "sister Hills1 and all her children born in this country."

The place of burial was in the old cemetery opposite the College grounds, a few rods north-west of the church now standing there.

Notes

• 1. from Joseph Hills and the Massachusetts Laws of 1648 1899. Page 166. "Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, ii. 417. The statement in Coffin, History of Newbury, 393, that he was from Shrewsbury, although, perhaps, traditionary, is an evident error. Savage’s supposition that Rose Hills was а sister of President Dunster has been accepted as a genealogical fact by most writers; but there was no ground for the supposition at first. Dunster’s will, which was written in 1658, mentions "my sister Mrs. Hills of Mauldon" and appoints joseph Hills an overseer. If the Mrs. Hills of that date was his sister, it was not Rose, who had been dead eight years. The living wife was Helen, or Eleanor, Atkinson; and the title may have been used as a recognition of friendship or of sìsterhood in the church. Still, I think that the words as twice used and the provisions of the will imply a relationship; and I venture to suggest that Elizabeth, the second wife of Henry Dunster and the mother of his children, was a sister of Helen Atkinson. The will may be found in Chaplin, Will of Henry Dunster, 308."

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References

1. http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu//oasis/deliver/deepLink?_collection=oa...
2. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/o/r/Steven-Morrow-Ma/W...