Joseph Worcester, elder of Rugby

concerns

From https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Worcester-268:

Caution: Multiple Williams, Multiple Wives

Numerous persons named William Worcester living in England in the same time period have been confused with each other and thought to be William Worcester, Vicar of Olney and Immigrant to Salisbury, Massachusetts. Here is a listing:

• Cheddington. William Worster of Cheddington, b. Apr 20, 1576, and his wife Rebecca Kynge, b. Mar 10, 1590, were the parents of William Worcester-123 of Cheddington, born say 1610. He is often confused with William Worcester, Vicar of Olney, but the Vicar of Olney entered Oxford in 1620, when William of Cheddington was only 10.
• Willisden. William Worcester of Willisden is not the son of anyone because he was a fraudulent creation of Gustave Anjou and never existed. The fraudulent William was created based on alleged documents in Willisdin which are alleged to have shown the Willisden Richard to be the father of four girls baptized at Willisden, whose ages are remarkably similar to those of Rev. William's daughters. It may be assumed that they were fabricated deliberately to provide Rev. William with a home of record in England.
• Watford. Rev. William Worcester of Watford, Buckinghamshire b. 1548, was the father of William Worcestor, b. Oct 5, 1595, who married Sybilla Bayfield. The Cambridge alumni publication claims the younger William is the same as William, Vicar of Olney, but...he would have been too old to be a likely entrant for Oxford in 1620.
• Rugby. William Worcester, b. say 1602, son of Joseph Worcester of Rugby is the William who became Vicar of Olney and emigrated to Massachusetts. William, the emigrant, marred Sarah, last name unknown, but many genealogies also show him married to Sarah Brown to Sarah Blake, or to Sarah Pickering

brief biography

From http://www.worcesterfamily.com/intro.htm#RevWilliamsFather:

Joseph Worcester, (Richard4, William3, Peter2, Robert1). Joseph gives two deposititons in 1606 in the Court of Exchequer proceedings and deposes that his father Richard (No. 15) is the grandfather of the defendant Richard (No. 20). He testifies in 1606 as being “ age 40 years or thereabouts” and indicates that he is from West Haddon and also “of Rugby.” The will of Joseph Worcester the elder of Rugby is dated Feb. 10, 1644/45. In his will, Joseph names his wife Alice, eldest son William, another son Joseph, and daughters Anne French, Alice Cave, and Susanna Mason. The Parish Register of the Church of St. Andrew, Rugby, indicates that Joseph was the churchwarden there. His signature appears on the register for 1624 and 1634. His unusual script for the letter “W” probably caused the error in the Lists of Rugby Church-wardens 1623-1949 compiled by Edward R. Reid-Smith, 1950, wherein is listed a Joseph Borcester.

will of Joseph Worcester of Rugby – 1644/5

In the name of God Amen.
The tenth daie of Februarie Anno Dom 1644 And in the twentieth yeare of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God of England, Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the faith be. I Joseph Worcester the elder of Rugbie in the Countie of Warw yeoman being in good health and perfect memory (I praise God therefore) doe make constitute and... ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say First I comend my soule into the hands of Allmightie God my Creator and his sonne Jesus Christ my onlie Saviour and Redeemer hopeing assuredlie to obtaine pardon and remission of all my sins and transgressions and finallie eternall life and Salvacon of my soule by faith in him And my bodie I remitt to the earth whereof it was formed. And I dispose of my worldly goods as followeth. And first I give and bequeth unto my eldest sonne William Worcester twelve pence of lawfull English money. And likewise to my sonne Joseph Worcester twelve pence of like lawfull money. Item I give unto my daughter '''Anne French'''  twelve pence Item I give unto my daughter '''Alice Cave''' twelve pence. Item I give to my daughter '''Susanna Mason''' twelve pence. Item I give unto evrie one of my grandchildren six pence Item I give unto the poor of Rugbie aforesaid five shillings to be distributed in white bread by penny dose at my buriall by my executrix hereafter named. All the rest and residue of my goods shepe money Cattle and Shattells whatsoever I give and bequeth unto my loving wife Alice my debts and funerall expenses being discharged. And I doe make the said Alice my wife full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. Sealed with my seale and Dated the daie and yeare first above written. Joseph Worcester. Sealed read published and declared in the presence of John Hiccock of Bilton his marke Fawkes(?) Newbolde

==family== Children of Joseph Worcester

• 28 William.
• 29 Joseph.
• 30 Anne, b abt. 1590; m Edward French, b England, died in Salisbury, Mass., on December 28, 1674. Four children listed above.
• 31 Alice, m ___ Cave.
• 32 Susanna, m ___ Mason.

links

• http://www.worcesterfamily.com/intro.htm#RevWilliamsFather
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Worcester-268