Joshua Eddy

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/MST4-9XV/joshua-eddy-1680-1768

Joshua Eddy 21 February 1680–13 November 1768

Birth • 1 Sources 21 February 1680 Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

Age 88 Death • 1 Sources 13 November 1768 Glocester, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Joseph Eddy in entry for Zacheriah Eddy, "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915"

SPOUSES AND CHILDREN

Joshua Eddy 1680-1768

Marriage: 3 May 1709 Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

Hannah Stevens 1682-1757

Children (11)

Benjamin Eddy 1709-1768

Jonathan Eddy 1712-1791

Daniel Eddy 1713-1793

Nathaniel Eddy 1716-1750

Hannah Eddy 1718-

Capt Zachariah Eddy 1720-1780

Thomas Eddy 1723-1795

James Eddy 1725-1795

Peter Eddy 1727-1799

William Eddy 1729-1813

John Eddy 1731-1823

PARENTS AND SIBLINGS

Zachariah Savery Eddy 1639-1718

Marriage: 7 May 1663 Plymouth, British Colonial America

Alice Paddock 1640-1692

Children (11)

Zachariah Eddy Jr 1664-1737

John Eddy 1666-1726

Elizabeth Eddy 1670-1718

Samuel Eddy 1673-

Ebenezer Eddy 1675-1726

Ebenezer Eddy 1676-

Caleb Eddy 1678-1748

Joshua Eddy 1680-1768

Obadiah Eddy 1683-1757

Alice Eddy 1684-

Elinor Eddy 1686-

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79567135/joshua-eddy

Joshua Eddy

BIRTH 21 Feb 1680 Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts, USA

DEATH 13 Nov 1768 (aged 88) Glocester, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA

BURIAL Non-Cemetery Burial, Specifically: Family land in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA

Joshua was a cooper by trade.

Joshua owned many acres of land in Rhode Island, the area was know as Cowpen Point. The Eddy family established a shipyard on the point. Many of the Eddy's were involved in building vessels and houses in the area. Within time the point took on the name of "Eddy's Point". A point jutting into the Providence River at the present corner of Point and Eddy streets. Appears on the Anthony Map of 1803.

A man of means, he does not seem to have taken any part in the political life of his town. Joshua was chosen to lay out a major road in Providence which is known as Eddy Street. His life was spent in cultivating his farm and in raising his large family of ten sons and one daughter. The children all married and raised families of their own.

The descendants of Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island number more than those of any other Eddy of his generation.

The Eddy son's played important roles during the American Revolution. The descendants of this Eddy line were strategic in helping to build this country after the Revolution. The Eddy's were known for serving our country and serving others. For this fact alone we can say they lived very honorable lives.

Other children born in Swansea.

Benjamin b. March 5, 1709/10 Jonathan b. January 20, 1711/12 Daniel b. November 7, 1713 Nathaniel b. April 14, 1716 Hannah b. June 21, 1718 Thomas b. August 14, 1723 John b. December 25, 1731

Parents
Zachariah Eddy 1639–1718

Alice Paddock Eddy 1640–1692

Spouse

Hannah Stevens Eddy 1682–1757

Siblings

John Eddy 1666–1726

Elizabeth Eddy Whipple 1670–1718

Caleb Eddy 1678–1748

Obadiah Eddy 1683–1747

Children

Benjamin Eddy 1710–1761

Zachariah Eddy 1720–1780

James Eddy 1725–1795

Peter Eddy 1727–1799

William Eddy 1729–1813

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Eddy-1361

Joshua Eddy

Born 21 Feb 1680 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts

Son of Zachariah Eddy and Alice (Paddock) Eddy

Brother of Zachariah Eddy, John Eddy, Elizabeth (Eddy) Whipple, Ebenezer Eddy, Caleb Eddy and Obadiah (Eddie) Eddy

Husband of Hannah (Stevens) Eddy — married 3 May 1708 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts Bay

Father of Benjamin Eddy, Jonathan Eddy, Daniel Eddy, Nathaniel Eddy, Zachariah Eddy, James Eddy, Peter Eddy, William Eddy and John Eddy

Died 13 Nov 1768 in Glocester, Providence, Rhode Island

Profile last modified 17 Mar 2019 | Created 1 Feb 2014

Biography

Birth

21 FEB 1680/81 Swansea, Bristol Co., Mass.[1]

Marriage

Marriage of Joshua Eddey to Hannah Stevens[2] Marriage Date: 3 May 1709 Place: Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts Land Ownership

Just before his marriage in 1709, Joshua Eddy received from his father a large tract of land. Zachariah Eddy of Swansea, yeoman, "for the great love which I bare to my son Joshua Eddy, cooper . . . land and meadow at Mattapoisett (Plymouth County, Massachusetts), . . . and also salt meadow which I purchased of Hugh Cole being about 2 acres." Dated Jan. 7, 1705/06[3] On Aug. 22, 1713, John Winslow of Swansea for £300 sold to Joshua Eddy of Swansea, cooper, a certain parcel of land lying in Shawomet Purchase in Swansea, aforesaid . . . about 67 acres, 116 rods . . . bounding northerly on a way and easterly on a way, south on John Winslow's land and west on the salt water or freeman's meadow. The deed was signed by John and Mary Winslow and witnessed by Sylvanus Soule and William Anthony.[4] John Winslow, farmer, "bought of Joshua Eddy, Cooper, 67 acres . . . bounding northward on John Winslow's, easterly partly by John Eddy's and southerly partly by said John Eddy's and partly by the salt water . . . ." His wife Hannah Eddy signed this deed.[5] In Feb. of 1722/23, Joshua and William Anthony made partial exchanges of lands. William Anthony of Shawomet, ffarmer, "for £940 sold to Joshua Eddy of Shawomet Purchase, farmer, a house and land in Shawomet Puchase, about 91 acres, bounding easterly on Peleg Sherman's and partly on salt water and partly on salt meadow northerly partly on land of Peleg Sherman and partly on land of William Sleade; westerly, partly on William Slead and partly on Daniel Wilbor and southerly partly on the great meadow and partly on salt water. The Book of Records show a driftway thro' a part of said land."[6] Joshua Eddy of Shawomet Purchase, farmer, for £800 to William Anthony "sold my homestead, house and lands in Shawomet Purchase 69 acres . . . bounding north by a driftway, south by land of William Slade and westwardly by the salt water." Hannah Eddy signed this deed. Dated Feb. 23, 1722.[7] Joshua purchased of Daniel Wilbour of Swansea, "for £40 . . . salt meadow in the freeman's privilege lying on Shawomet Neck, being ½ of the 9th lot of ffreeman's meadow, being the south west end of the 9th lot . . . and called by the name of Decross Meadows." Dated Dec. 24, 1724.[8] Joshua Eddy for £45 sold to Stephen Borden of Freetown "½ moiety of a lott of salt meadow in Swansea at Shawomet Neck . . . being ½ of the 9th lott of ffreman's meadow."[9] On Aug. 3, 1729 Joshua Eddy of Swansea sold to Peleg Sherman his house and land "being 91 acres . . . bounding east on Peleg Sherman, other bounds mention William Slade, Daniel Wilbour, great meadow salt water, etc." This was the last holding which Joshua had in Swansea and this date probably marks the time of his removal to R. I. Hannah signed the deed. He was now nearly fifty years of age. His brother Zachariah had already been living in R. I. for twenty years and probably urged his brother to join him.[10] Note: In 1642, Samuel Gorton and a group of men purchased from Indian Chief Miantonomi, a large section of land which included the present Towns of Coventry and West Warwick and most of the City of Warwick. This was known as the SHAWOMET PURCHASE. The price paid was 144 fathoms of wampum-peage, the equivalent of 36 pounds in English money. The original deed to this land shows the names of twelve men as purchasers, but by the time an attempt was made to divide the land, the number of purchasers has increased to seventeen. (Source: Town of Coventry, RI) On Aug. 26, 1729 Joshua purchased of Peter Place "100 acres at Wayunkheague" which land was east of the 7 mile line and was his homestead; and three days later he purchased of Stephen Harding 150 acres east of the 7 mile line. This land was probably in the western part of Smithfield not far from the Glocester border. In 1733 Joshua added to this by purchasing of Peter Place "land in Smithfield near where Joshua now dwells" and by purchasing from Stephen Harding "6 acres in Smithfield and adjacent to the easterly side of the farm which I sold to Joshua Eady at Wayankheague (spelling?) and adjacent to land of Resolved Waterman and is on the south side of the River that runs thro the farm on the original right of Daniel Brown and of the 40 acre division." Dated Dec. 11, 1733. In 1739 he added two more acres on the west. This land in Glocester and purchased from Hosanna Brown, "land now adjoining the westward part of the dwelling place of me and adjacent to the southward part of the dwelling place of Hosanna Brown, . . . a small brook runs through my homestead place." Later in this same year he sold to his son Daniel Eddy of Smithfield, husbandman, 100 acres in Smithfield, "being the southerly part of my homestead farm where I now dwell . . . a river runs through said farm." Dated Aug. 24, 1739. This was just before Daniel's marriage to Lydia Olney. On the 4th of November 1743 Joshua Eddy, yeoman of Smithfield sold to Benjamin Wilkinson of Scituate, R. I. "a farm at wayunkheague, where I dwell on the south side of the river - being 200 acres in all except the highway that leads to Killingly. He must have moved to his other purchased in the northern part of Scituate for in the next year on Mar. 14, 1743 the Scituate town records have the following: "The ear mark wherewith Joshua Eddy marks his cattle is a slash cut in the top of the left ear" (Scituate Records). The following year on May 1, 1744, Joshua was made a freeman in the town of Scituate. According to te records Joshua of Scituate sold for £3500 to William Rhoads land in Scituate and in the part called Westconaid - being the farm where I now dwell. Hannah Eddy wife, signed the deed May 21, 1745. On July 15, 1741 he purchased a large tract of land in Salisbury, Conn. "James Beebe of Canaan, Conn. to Joshua Eddy of Smithfield, R. I., one share or allotmnet of the 25 into which the town was divided exclusive of the college grants of the General Assembly" etc.[11] Again in 1742 he purchased 75 acres more in Salisbury, and in 1744, 255 acres more; and finally in 1746 he purchased 150 acres. At various times he gave this land to three of his sons, Zachariah, James and Peter. Joshua Eddy of Providence, R. I. sold to "well-beloved son, Zachariah Eddy of Salisbury" . . . 200 acres . . . laid out in Salisbury on the Sharon bounds. Sept. 23, 1745.[12] Joshua Eddy of Glocester, R. I. to Zachariah Eddy of Salisbury, Husbandman, about 100 acres in a place called the Great Hollow . . . on the Sharon Boundary. . . . Sept. 24, 1746.[13] Joshua Eddy . . . "to my loving son Zachariah Eddy" 1/3 of his right in the undivided land of the propriety of Salisbury.[14] Joshua Eddy of Glocester, R. I., yeoman, to my loving son, Peter Eddy, carpenter, four parcels of land . . . about 245 acres in all. May 4, 1750.[15] On Nov. 20, 1745 Joshua Eddy of Scituate, yeoman, bought another farm in Glocester. It was 250 acres in extent and had been the homestead farm of Elisha Knowlton. It is likely that he spent the rest of his life on this farm, which in his will he states he has deeded to his son, John. He was made a freeman in Glocester in 1752. All the later land transactions gave his residence as Glocester. In 1759, he sold to James Eddy, his son, "the northerly part of the farm where I now dwell" and on Jan. 26, 1760 he sold 20 A. the south east portion of his farm to son John Eddy. Although a man of means, he does not seem to have taken any part in the political life of his town. His name appears only once in the records of Smithfield when he was chosen to lay out a highway. His life was spent in cultivating his farm and in bringing up his large family of boys. There were ten of them. They all grew up and married. The descendants of Joshua Eddy of Glocester, R. I. number more than those of any other Eddy of his generation.[16][17][18] Joshua's will states that he has already given to William and Nathaniel their portions, but as yet no record of such gift has been found. On the same day as he made his will he deeded a second piece to son James Eddy[19]. Children, b. in Swansea: Benjamin Eddy, b. Mar. 5, 1709/10. Jonathan Eddy, b. Jan. 20, 1711/12. Daniel Eddy, b. Nov. 7, 1713. Nathaniel Eddy, b. Apr. 14, 1716. Hannah Eddy, b. June 21, 1718, probably d. young; not in will of her father. Zachariah Eddy, b. July 23, 1720. Thomas Eddy, b. Aug. 14, 1723. James Eddy, b. June 21, 1725. Peter Eddy, b. Aug. 4, 1727. William Eddy, b. Mar. 6, 1729. John Eddy, b. Dec. 25, 1731. Burial

Burial of Joshua Eddy Non-Cemetery Burial Specifically: Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA FindaGrave Link

Sources

↑ Eddy Family Association Reference #: 84 ↑ Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0022366 item 3 & 0903395 items 7-8. ↑ (B.C.D. 7.479) Eddy, Ruth S.D. "Eddy Family In America." Boston, MA: Eddy Family Association, Inc., 1930. pp38, 55. ↑ (B.C.D. 7.479) p. 55 of The Eddy Family in America (Fourth Generation) ↑ (B. C. D., 8, 507) p. 55 of The Eddy Family in America (Fourth Generation) ↑ (B. C. D., 15, 437) p. 55 of The Eddy Family in America (Fourth Generation) ↑ (B. C. D., 15, 215) p. 55 of The Eddy Family in America (Fourth Generation) ↑ (B. C. D., 16, 103) p. 55 of The Eddy Family in America (Fourth Generation) ↑ (B. C. D., 17, 374) p. 55 of The Eddy Family in America (Fourth Generation) ↑ (B. C. D., 19, 63) p. 55 of The Eddy Family in America (Fourth Generation) ↑ (Vol. I, p. 76 of Salisbury Land Records) ↑ (Vol. I, p. 356, Salisbury Land Records.) ↑ (Vol. II, p. 42, Salisbury Rec.) ↑ (Vol. II, p. 126, Salisbury Rec.) ↑ (Vol. III, p. 46, Salisbury Rec.) ↑ (Glocester Deeds 2, 124) ↑ (Glocester Deeds, 6, 474) ↑ (Bk. 3, p. 24) ↑ (Glocester Deeds 7, 129) Genealogy of the Eddy Family on Archive.org by Charles Eddy, Brooklyn, NY 1881. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=79567135

Joshua was born on February 21, 1680 at Swansea, Massachusetts. Joshua learned the cooper's trade. Joshua learned the cooper's trade. Just before his marriage he received from his father a large tract of land at Mattapoisett. On May 3, 1708 at Swansea, Joshua married Hannah Stevens, whose ancestry is unknown.

On August 22, 1713 John Winslow of Swansea for £300 sold to Joshua Eddy of Swansea, cooper, a certain parcel of land lying in Shawomet Purchase in Swansea, aforesaid...about 67 acres, 116 rods...bounding northerly on a way and easterly on a way, south on John Winslow's land and west on the salt water or freeman's meadow. The deed was signed by John and Mary Winslow and witnessed by Wylvanus Soule and William Anthony. John Winslow, farmer, "bought of Joshua Eddy, Cooper, 67 acres...bounding northward on John Winslow's easterly partly by John Eddy's and southerly partly by said John Eddy's and partly by the salt water..." His wife Hannah Eddy signed this deed.

In February of 1722/3 Joshua and William Anthony made partial exchanges of lands. William Anthony of Shawomet, ffarmer, "for £940 sold to Joshua Eddy of Shawomet on Peleg Sherman's and partly on salt water and partly on salt meadow northerly partly on land partly on Daniel Wilbor and southerly partly on the great meadow and partly on salt water. The Book of Records show a driftway thro' a part of said land." Joshua Edy of Shawomet Purchase, ffarmer, for £800 to William Anthony "sold my homestead, house and lands in Shawomet Purchase 69 acres...bounding north by a driftway, south by land of William Slade and westwardly by the salt water." Hannah Eddy signed this deed. Dated February 23, 1722. Joshua purchased of Daniel Wilbour of Swansea, "for £40...salt meadow in the freeman's privilege lying on Shawomet Neck, being 1/2 of the 9th lot of ffreeman's meadow, being the south west end of the 9th lotÉand called by the name of Deross Meadows." Dated December 24, 1724.

Joseph Eddy for £45 sold to Stephen Boren of Freetown "1/2 moiety of a lott of salt meadow in Swansea at Shawomet Neck...being 1/2 of the 9th lott of ffreman's meadow." On August 3, 1720 Joshua Eddy of Swansea sold to Peleg Sherman his house and land "being 91 acres...bounding east on Peleg Sherman, other bounds mention William Slade, Daniel Wilbour, great meadow salt water, etc." This was the last holding which Joshua had in Swansea and this date probably marks the time of his removal to Rhode Island. Hannah signed the deed.

Joshua was now nearly fifty years of age. His brother Zachariah had already been living in Rhode Island for twenty years and probably urged his brother to join him. On August 26, 1729 Joshua purchased of Peter Place "100 acres at Wayunkheague" which land was east of the 7 mile line and was his homestead; and three days later he purchased of Stephen Harding 150 acres east of the 7 mile line. This land was probably in the western part of Smithfield not far from the Glocester border. Joshua added to this by purchasing of Peter Place "land in Smithfield near where Joshua now dwells" and by purchasing from Stephen Harding "6 acres in Smithfield and adjacent to the easterly side of the farm which I sold to Joshua Eady at Wayankheague and adjacent to land of Resolved Waterman and is on the south side of the River that runs thro the farm on the original right of Daneil Brown and of the 40 acre division." Dated December 11, 1733.

In 1739 he added two more acres on the west. This land was in Glocester and purchased from Hosanna Brown, "land now adjoining the westward part of the dwelling place of me and adjacent to the southward part of the dwelling place of Hosanna Brown,...a small brook runs through my homestead place." Later in this same year he sold to his son Daniel Eddy of Smithfield, husbandman, 100 acres in Smithfield, "being the southerly part of my homestead farm where I now dwell...a river runs through said farm." Dated August 24, 1739.

On July 15, 1741 he purchased a large tract of land in Salisbury, Connecticut. "James Beebe of Canaan, Connecticut to Joshua Eddy of Smithfield, Rhode Island, one share or allotment of the 25 into which the town was divided exclusive of the college grants of the General Assembly" etc. Again in 1742 he purchased 75 acres more in Salisbury, and in 1744, 225 acres more; and finally in 1746 he purchased 150 acres.

At various times he gave this land to three of his sons, Zachariah, James and Peter. Joshua Eddy of Providence, Rhode Island sold to "well-beloved son Zachariah Eddy of Salisbury...200 acres...laid out in Salisbury on the Sharon bounds". Dated September 23, 1745. "Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island to Zachariah Eddy of Salisbury, Husbandman, about 100 acres in a place called the Great Hollow...on the Sharon Boundary." Dated September 24, 1746. Joshua Eddy..."to my loving son Zachariah Eddy" 1/3 of his right in the undivided land of the propriety of Salisbury. Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island, "yeoman, to my loving son, Peter Eddy, carpenter, four parcels of land...about 245 acres in all." Dated May 4, 1750.

On the 4th of November 1743 Joshua Eddy, yeoman of Smithfield sold to Benjamin Wilkinson of Scituate, Rhode Island "a farm at wayunkheague, where I dwell on the south side of the river - being 200 acres in all except the highway that leads to Killingly."

He must have moved to his other purchase in the northern part of Scituate for in the next year on March 13, 1743 the Scituate town records have the following: "The ear mark wherewith Joshua Eddy marks his cattle is a slash cut in the top of the left ear." The following year on May 1, 1744, Joshua was made a freeman in the town of Scituate.

According to the records Joshua of Scituate sold for £3500 to William Rhoads land in Scituate and in the part called Westconaid - being the farm where I now dwell. Hannah Eddy wife, signed the deed May 21, 1745. On November 20, 1745 Joshua Eddy of Scituate, yeoman, bought another farm in Glocester. It was 250 acres in extent and had been the homestead farm of Elisha Knowlton. It is likely that he spent the rest of his life on this farm which in his will he states he has deeded to his son, John. He was made a freeman in Glocester in 1752. All the later land transactions give his residence as Glocester. In 1759 he sold to James Eddy, his son, "the northerly part of the farm where I now dwell" on January 26, 1760 he sold 20 A. the south east portion of his farm to son John Eddy.

Although a man of means, he does not seem to have taken any part in the political life of his town. His name appears only once in the records of Smithfield when he was chosen to lay out a highway. His life was spent in cultivating his farm and in bringing up his large family of boys. There were ten of them. They all grew up and married. The descendants of Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island number more than those of any other Eddy of his generation. Joshua's will states that he has already given to William and Nathaniel their portions, but as yet no record of such gift has been found. On the same day as he made his will he deeded a second piece to son James Eddy. His will mentions all his children but his daughter Hannah, who apparently had already died, and speaks of his son Nathaniel as deceased. Joshua's wife, Hannah Eddy died on October 22, 1757. Joshua died in Glocester on November 3, 1768.

Source: http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sam/eddy/joshua.html

Joshua was born on February 21, 1680 at Swansea, Massachusetts. Joshua learned the cooper's trade. Joshua learned the cooper's trade. Just before his marriage he received from his father a large tract of land at Mattapoisett. On May 3, 1708 at Swansea, Joshua married Hannah Stevens, whose ancestry is unknown.

On August 22, 1713 John Winslow of Swansea for £300 sold to Joshua Eddy of Swansea, cooper, a certain parcel of land lying in Shawomet Purchase in Swansea, aforesaid...about 67 acres, 116 rods...bounding northerly on a way and easterly on a way, south on John Winslow's land and west on the salt water or freeman's meadow. The deed was signed by John and Mary Winslow and witnessed by Wylvanus Soule and William Anthony. John Winslow, farmer, "bought of Joshua Eddy, Cooper, 67 acres...bounding northward on John Winslow's easterly partly by John Eddy's and southerly partly by said John Eddy's and partly by the salt water..." His wife Hannah Eddy signed this deed.

In February of 1722/3 Joshua and William Anthony made partial exchanges of lands. William Anthony of Shawomet, ffarmer, "for £940 sold to Joshua Eddy of Shawomet on Peleg Sherman's and partly on salt water and partly on salt meadow northerly partly on land partly on Daniel Wilbor and southerly partly on the great meadow and partly on salt water. The Book of Records show a driftway thro' a part of said land." Joshua Edy of Shawomet Purchase, ffarmer, for £800 to William Anthony "sold my homestead, house and lands in Shawomet Purchase 69 acres...bounding north by a driftway, south by land of William Slade and westwardly by the salt water." Hannah Eddy signed this deed. Dated February 23, 1722. Joshua purchased of Daniel Wilbour of Swansea, "for £40...salt meadow in the freeman's privilege lying on Shawomet Neck, being 1/2 of the 9th lot of ffreeman's meadow, being the south west end of the 9th lotÉand called by the name of Deross Meadows." Dated December 24, 1724.

Joseph Eddy for £45 sold to Stephen Boren of Freetown "1/2 moiety of a lott of salt meadow in Swansea at Shawomet Neck...being 1/2 of the 9th lott of ffreman's meadow." On August 3, 1720 Joshua Eddy of Swansea sold to Peleg Sherman his house and land "being 91 acres...bounding east on Peleg Sherman, other bounds mention William Slade, Daniel Wilbour, great meadow salt water, etc." This was the last holding which Joshua had in Swansea and this date probably marks the time of his removal to Rhode Island. Hannah signed the deed.

Joshua was now nearly fifty years of age. His brother Zachariah had already been living in Rhode Island for twenty years and probably urged his brother to join him. On August 26, 1729 Joshua purchased of Peter Place "100 acres at Wayunkheague" which land was east of the 7 mile line and was his homestead; and three days later he purchased of Stephen Harding 150 acres east of the 7 mile line. This land was probably in the western part of Smithfield not far from the Glocester border. Joshua added to this by purchasing of Peter Place "land in Smithfield near where Joshua now dwells" and by purchasing from Stephen Harding "6 acres in Smithfield and adjacent to the easterly side of the farm which I sold to Joshua Eady at Wayankheague and adjacent to land of Resolved Waterman and is on the south side of the River that runs thro the farm on the original right of Daneil Brown and of the 40 acre division." Dated December 11, 1733.

In 1739 he added two more acres on the west. This land was in Glocester and purchased from Hosanna Brown, "land now adjoining the westward part of the dwelling place of me and adjacent to the southward part of the dwelling place of Hosanna Brown,...a small brook runs through my homestead place." Later in this same year he sold to his son Daniel Eddy of Smithfield, husbandman, 100 acres in Smithfield, "being the southerly part of my homestead farm where I now dwell...a river runs through said farm." Dated August 24, 1739.

On July 15, 1741 he purchased a large tract of land in Salisbury, Connecticut. "James Beebe of Canaan, Connecticut to Joshua Eddy of Smithfield, Rhode Island, one share or allotment of the 25 into which the town was divided exclusive of the college grants of the General Assembly" etc. Again in 1742 he purchased 75 acres more in Salisbury, and in 1744, 225 acres more; and finally in 1746 he purchased 150 acres.

At various times he gave this land to three of his sons, Zachariah, James and Peter. Joshua Eddy of Providence, Rhode Island sold to "well-beloved son Zachariah Eddy of Salisbury...200 acres...laid out in Salisbury on the Sharon bounds". Dated September 23, 1745. "Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island to Zachariah Eddy of Salisbury, Husbandman, about 100 acres in a place called the Great Hollow...on the Sharon Boundary." Dated September 24, 1746. Joshua Eddy..."to my loving son Zachariah Eddy" 1/3 of his right in the undivided land of the propriety of Salisbury. Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island, "yeoman, to my loving son, Peter Eddy, carpenter, four parcels of land...about 245 acres in all." Dated May 4, 1750.

On the 4th of November 1743 Joshua Eddy, yeoman of Smithfield sold to Benjamin Wilkinson of Scituate, Rhode Island "a farm at wayunkheague, where I dwell on the south side of the river - being 200 acres in all except the highway that leads to Killingly."

He must have moved to his other purchase in the northern part of Scituate for in the next year on March 13, 1743 the Scituate town records have the following: "The ear mark wherewith Joshua Eddy marks his cattle is a slash cut in the top of the left ear." The following year on May 1, 1744, Joshua was made a freeman in the town of Scituate.

According to the records Joshua of Scituate sold for £3500 to William Rhoads land in Scituate and in the part called Westconaid - being the farm where I now dwell. Hannah Eddy wife, signed the deed May 21, 1745. On November 20, 1745 Joshua Eddy of Scituate, yeoman, bought another farm in Glocester. It was 250 acres in extent and had been the homestead farm of Elisha Knowlton. It is likely that he spent the rest of his life on this farm which in his will he states he has deeded to his son, John. He was made a freeman in Glocester in 1752. All the later land transactions give his residence as Glocester. In 1759 he sold to James Eddy, his son, "the northerly part of the farm where I now dwell" on January 26, 1760 he sold 20 A. the south east portion of his farm to son John Eddy.

Although a man of means, he does not seem to have taken any part in the political life of his town. His name appears only once in the records of Smithfield when he was chosen to lay out a highway. His life was spent in cultivating his farm and in bringing up his large family of boys. There were ten of them. They all grew up and married. The descendants of Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island number more than those of any other Eddy of his generation. Joshua's will states that he has already given to William and Nathaniel their portions, but as yet no record of such gift has been found. On the same day as he made his will he deeded a second piece to son James Eddy. His will mentions all his children but his daughter Hannah, who apparently had already died, and speaks of his son Nathaniel as deceased. Joshua's wife, Hannah Eddy died on October 22, 1757. Joshua died in Glocester on November 3, 1768.

Source: http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sam/eddy/joshua.html

Stones and stewards of the past in Swansea historical cemetery By Deborah Allard Herald News Staff Reporter Posted Oct 11, 2010 @ 09:27 PM

When Zachariah Eddy was bound out to the John Browne family at the age of 7 to learn a trade, it must have been hard for the boy in 1640s Rehoboth to be without his family.

His father Samuel couldn’t afford to feed him and his four siblings as a tailor forced into farming, so had to give up some of his children to insure them a better life.

Zachariah grew up and became a good farmer under Browne’s apprenticeship. He married and had nine children, and eventually became a large landowner and one of Swansea’s founding fathers.

When Zachariah died in 1718, he was buried in Ye Olde Eddy Burial Ground, most likely with his two wives and his parents Samuel and Elizabeth.

It’s nearly impossible to find those graves today.

The old wooden sign at the corner of Ledge and Main roads points the way, but at the end of the street is a locked gate and a sign that warns against trespassing.

Looking beyond the gate shows no indication of a cemetery. There is an opening on the left of the fence, but one has to go through on foot.

Inside the gates, there are cement structures that make a dangerous playground, and are part of the former Swan Finishing plant foundation that closed in the early 1970s.

Beyond that is a foreboding nest of trees to the far left where the cemetery lies, and where a wild turkey was running through on a recent day.

A sort of path through overgrown grasses, shrubs and weeds and up a hill leads to the burial ground that dates back to 1639.

Short stones, many worn down from the centuries and sinking into the earth, stick out of the ground in no particular pattern.

One tall stone was laying flat. Another was propped up against a tree. A couple of larger markers could still be read.

The burial ground has a stone perimeter on one side marking its boundary, but on the other three sides, there’s not much indication how far it goes into the woods.

“These graves still deserve respect,” said Selectman M. Scott Ventura. “A lot of the town’s families are buried here, the Eddys, the Chaces, the town’s founding fathers.”

He said he used to go to the cemetery as a kid fishing in the area.

“It was very different then,” Ventura said. “You could see a lot more of a it.” Ventura enjoys history and in his adult life has ventured back to the spot occasionally. His last visit, several weeks ago, was a shock.

“I came back here and saw it was overgrown,” Ventura said.

He brought up the issue at a recent Selectmen’s meeting. Apparently, the cemetery is one of 17 in the town’s care, but access has been an issue.

The town has a total of 42 cemeteries, many of them small family burial grounds.

An Eddy family member in recent times kept the grounds cleared for many years.

The Eddy family

The Eddys buried in the old grounds, descended from William Eddye, a scholar and vicar of the church of St. Dunstan in Cranbrook, County Kent, England, according to the web site Ancestry.com. He was born around 1550, had 11 children, and died in 1616.

His son Samuel, who had been trained as a tailor in England, came to the new world in 1630 with a 100 pound inheritance.

He traveled with his brother John on the ship “Handmaiden” They were escorted to Boston by Miles Standish. Samuel settled in Plymouth. For Samuel, the new world would not be easy. The tailoring trade may have been profitable in England, but it didn’t turn out that way in early Plymouth.

He resorted to farming, which was mostly unknown to him. He had to put his children out as servants and was considered poor in 1638 records. Zachariah, in John Browne’s care, became a part of the family. When Browne died, he left him 50 acres of land.

Zachariah married Alice Padduck on May 7, 1663. They had nine children together. When she died in 1692. He married the widow Abigail Smith.

Zacharia was a farmer of Plymouth and Middleboro before coming to Swansea, according to the “History of Swansea” compiled and edited by Otis Olney Wright and published by the town in 1917.

Zacharia and his brother Caleb were among the 55 original purchasers of Swansea in 1669. It was a new tract of land recently purchased from the Indians. Both became members of the First Baptist Church.

Zacharia was active in the church. He became the waywarden and surveyor of highways.

He purchased much land in Swansea, as well as in other new area towns becoming a large landholder. His land included a large portion of Swansea Village. His family homestead was in the area of the burial ground. It likely made up the Stevens estate and dye plant land and extended to the highway.

Zacharia’s parents were alone in their old age in Plymouth where they spent their lives. They were finally persuaded in their 70s to come to Swansea to be with Zachariah and his brother Caleb.

Samuel died in 1687 followed by his wife Elizabeth in 1689. The land for the burial ground was set aside in 1696, but they had likely been using it already as a burial ground.

A tablet was erected at the burial ground by the Eddy Family Association in 1946. It is to honor the memory of Zacharia Eddy and the resting place of his parents.

Buried in the cemetery are Eddys, and various other families.

Ventura said he’s hoping someone, perhaps an Eagle Scout, might come forward to help clean up the old cemetery.

Many Eddy family descendants, generations later, still call Swansea their home.

E-mail Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.

Copyright 2010 The Herald News. Some rights reserved SOURCE: http://www.heraldnews.com/features/x1738171923/Stones-and-stewards-...

Joshua was a cooper by trade.

Joshua owned many acres of land in Rhode Island, the area was know as Cowpen Point. The Eddy family established a shipyard on the point. Many of the Eddy's were involved in building vessels and houses in the area. Within time the point took on the name of "Eddy's Point". A point jutting into the Providence River at the present corner of Point and Eddy streets. Appears on the Anthony Map of 1803.

A man of means, he does not seem to have taken any part in the political life of his town. Joshua was chosen to lay out a major road in Providence which is known as Eddy Street. His life was spent in cultivating his farm and in raising his large family of ten sons and one daughter. The children all married and raised families of their own.

The descendants of Joshua Eddy of Glocester, Rhode Island number more than those of any other Eddy of his generation. The Eddy son's played important roles during the American Revolution. The descendants of this Eddy line were strategic in helping to build this country after the Revolution. The Eddy's were known for serving our country and serving others. For this fact alone we can say they lived very honorable lives.

Other children born in Swansea.

Benjamin b. March 5, 1709/10 Jonathan b. January 20, 1711/12 Daniel b. November 7, 1713 Nathaniel b. April 14, 1716 Hannah b. June 21, 1718 Thomas b. August 14, 1723 John b. December 25, 1731

Notes

“Joshua Eddy” < link >

Joshua Eddy was born on February 21, 1680 at Swansea, Massachusetts. Joshua learned the cooper's trade. Just before his marriage he received from his father a large tract of land at Mattapoisett. On May 3, 1708 at Swansea, Joshua married Hannah Stevens, whose ancestry is unknown. …

In 1739 he [Joshua Eddy] added two more acres on the west. This land was in Glocester and purchased from Hosanna Brown, "land now adjoining the westward part of the dwelling place of me and adjacent to the southward part of the dwelling place of Hosanna Brown,...a small brook runs through my homestead place."