Katherine Aldrich

In 1636, George Aldrich and his wife Katherine joined the Dorchester church. His wife deposed June 18, 1670, that she was about sixty years old.

She died at Mendon, January 11, 1691

Biography from: Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worchester County vol 2, Pp 40-1

"ALDRICH FAMILY. George Aldrich (1), was the immigrant ancestor of the Aldrich family of Mendon and Uxbridge. The name was spelled Aldridge and Oldridge in the early records, and some branches of the family still prefer the spelling Aldridge, but the famous Rhode Island family and the descendants in Worcester county, Massachusetts, have for many generations adopted the spelling Aldrich.

George Aldrich was born in Derbyshire, England, about 1605. He was a tailor by trade. He sailed for America, November 6, 1631. He married in England, September 3, 1620, Catherine Seald. She was born in 1610 according to her deposition made June 18, 1670, when she gave her age as sixty years. Aldrich was admitted a freeman December 7, 1636. He settled first in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and he, with his wife Catherine, was member of the Dorchester Church in 1636. He lived in Braintree from about 1640 to 1663, when he settled in Mendon, one of the first seven settlers. He sold his place at Braintree to Richard Thayer, June 9, 1663. He died at Mendon, March 1, 1682. His wife died there January 11, 1691.

See George Aldrich for will, children, Sources.

Katherine Seald Aldrich was born in England and married George Aldrich on Sep 3, 1629. They emigrated from England to Dorchester, MA on Nov 6, 1631. They moved to Braintree, MA in 1640 and then to Mendon, MA in 1662.

George and Katherine had 11 children: Abel, Joseph, Mary, Miriam, Experience, John, Sarah, Peter, Mercy, Jacob (my lineage), and Mattithiah (or possibly, Martha - records are not clear).

Jacob Aldrich was born in Braintree on Dec 12, 1652 and died in Mendon on Oct 22, 1695.

The following is excerpted or paraphrased from The Aldrich Heritage by Thomas F. Aldrich:

"It was the beginning of August, 1631 and the old, reliable 250 ton sailing ship, THE LION, sat at her berth in London, England taking on a cargo which included foodstuffs, harness, seeds, rope, sails and livestock in preparation for her third trip to the New World. Her master, Capt. William Pierce, was known for his skillful seamanship and particular concern for the comfort of his passengers in addition to his sympathy with the Puritan cause...approximately 60 passengers were taken aboard before the ship finally set sail near the end of August on her ten week voyage to New England."

"Although it cannot be said with absolute certainty, it does appear that George and Katherine Aldrich were amongst the passengers who also included Governor John Winthrop....Although the Lion was much larger than the Mayflower and carried less passengers, it was, "as were most ships of the time, supremely unsuited for passenger transport. Ventilation was a real problem during foul weather as the hatches had to be closed over seasick passengers and animals alike. The passengers ate primarily dried or salted beef, flour biscuits, oatmeal porridge, dried pea soup and beer (as water almost immediately went bad). All but 2 children (who perished on the journey) arrived in good health.

The ship reached the entrance of Boston harbor on 11/2/1631 but was unable to enter as the wind was blowing towards them. They were finally able to enter the harbor on 11/4. Officers of the colony, friends, family and acquaintances were there to meet them. For several days the passengers were brought great stores of provisions such as hogs, kids, venison, poultry, geese, partridges and such - it must have been quite an arrival for the Aldrichs.

It is not known why George and Katherine came to New England but it may have been a combination of reasons common at that time : religious freedon, land, adventure or establishment of a trade market between England and America.

They made their home in Dorchester, a section of Boston that had been established by the Winthrop group the previous year. They lived on an acre lot. They became members of the Puritan church. George was made a freeman which allowed him to vote and hold public office if he wished.

Their first four children were born in Dorchester.

In 1634, Mount Wollaston (now Braintree), an area made up of 50 square miles, was annexed to Boston. On 9/25/1634, the General Court of Boston ordered that the city establish a settlement there and at Rumney Marsh. George petitioned and was granted a 20 acre parcel of land ( four acres for each of his family members ) on 2/24/1640.

The houses built on these parcels were small, woodwork-heavy buildings made by axe and secured by imported English nails. They were usually a story or a story and a half in height, having a huge stone chimney at one end and a shalloe cellar beneath. The first floor was generally one room with another chamber in the attic or half story above. The second story was reached by ladder. There was usually a garden planted at the rear of the house."

In his Will of 11/2/1682, he left son Joseph all his "wearing clothes." He left his grandson John ( Joseph's son) 30 shillings provided he live in the house with his grandmother until her death."

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dearbornboutwell/...

Born 1609 Walton on Trent, England

GEDCOM Source

@R3624828@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=29621786&pid...