Lt. Ralph Sprague

From "Historic homes and places and genealogical and personal memoirs ...", Volume 3 edited by William Richard Cutter pp 860-861

The record of the completed allotment of Charlestown inhabitants Ralph appears as holding five acres. In the great allotment, April 23, 1638, Ralph Sprague received one hundred and twenty-five seventy-five acres. (D. P. Corey's "History of Malden"). On May 2, 1649, that part of Charlestown called Mystic Side was established, now the city of Malden, and Ralph Sprague was made a lieutenant of the train band organized to protect the inhabitants from unfriendly Indians, and the military history dated from that time. Ralph and his brother Richard were the earlier settlers of Malden.

From the old Bell Rock Cemetery, Malden. the entire line of Spragues and their wives, commencing with Ralph, have been removed to Forestdale Cemetery, Malden. Their headstones are more or less legibly inscribed.

(II) Ralph Sprague was about twentynine years of age at the time of his arrival at Salem. According to the Massachusetts Colony Records he took the freeman's oath in May. 1630, and was appointed constable of Charlestown. His name, with that of his wife, Joanna, are in the list of those who were first members of the church in 1632. He is mentioned in the Charlestown Records, April 18, 1634, commissioned with two others to advocate certain interests in the town before the general court; in November, 1636, he was for the first time chosen representative to the general court, and he filled this important post seven different times. In 1649 he was one of a commission to settle the bounds between Mystic Side and Charlestown. "Ralph was," says Frothingham, in "History of Charlestown," "a prominent and valuable citizen, active in promoting the welfare of the town and colony." He died in 1650; his widow afterwards married Edward Converse.

Ralph sailed over on the pilgrim ship "Lion's Whelp" in 1629. (NB: also said to have arrived on the "Abigail" with John Endicott] (1)

Citations

1. The Abigail and John Endicott "Passengers known to be on board the Abigail from Weymouth 1628 ... Ralph Sprague of Upwey (son of Edward), Richard Sprague (brother of Ralph), William Sprague (brother of Ralph and Richard)" https://www.geni.com/projects/Great-Migration-Passengers-of-the-Lyon-s-Whelp-1629/12625

Sources

These references were used by The Sprague Project

1. [S76] Book: Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:The Capital City Press, 1913), page 25.
2. [S442] Great Migration Begins, Anderson, Robert Charles, (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1995), "b. about 1595, probably at Upway, Dorsetshire", Volume III, page 1729..
3. [S795] Mary & John, Spear, Burton W., (Toledo, OH, The Mary & John Clearing House), "b. ca 1599", Volume 17, page 141..
4. [S393] Book: Spragues of Malden, Chamberlain, George Walter, (Boston, Mass, Privately Printed, 1923.), "b. ca 1599"..
5. [S643] Publication:American Families-Genealogies/Bio's., (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1921), "b. 1603", pages 30-40..
6. [S76] Book: Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:The Capital City Press, 1913), "b. 1603.", page 25.
7. [S520] Book: Ancient Artillery Company, Book 2, National Society Women Descendants and the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company, Page 25, TERRY, Accepted March 10, 1943, National Number 330.
8. [S3308] History of Artillery Company, page 78..
9. [S1765] Correspondent: MacAulay, David, note of June 18th, 2005.
10. [S1410] Book: Northern New York Genealogical History, Anonymous, (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1910, 1417 pages), pages 477-481 provided by Barbara L. Gese, correspondent, note of December 7th, 2003.
11. [S1878] Correspondent: Whitman, Don, note of February 11th, 2007.
12. [S433] Book: New England Marriages, Torrey, Clarence A., (Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004), page 698.

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Came to Salem, M,A in 1628 with his brother Richard, and they helped to build and make ready the house for Gov. Winthrop. He as a constable in 1630 and by profession was a husbandman/fuller (which was someone who prepared wool for spinning) He held many offices in town, admitted the to Ancient and Honorable Artillery co 1638. He was a Lt. and a Capt. in the militia and they belonged to the Boston church.

GEDCOM Note

Category: Sprague Name Study

Biographical Summaries

Lt. Ralph Sprague, (c.1599-1650, ~ 51 years) <ref name="database">Richard E. "Dick" Weber. The Sprague Project.http://www.sprague-database.org/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I3.... Accessed June 7, 2015. </ref> Ralph Sprague was a farmer and one of the founders of Charlestown, MA.<ref name="sprague123"/> Frothingham in History of Charlestown, says, "He was a prominent and valuable citizen, active in promoting the welfare of the town and of the Colony". <ref> Frothingham, History of Charlestown, cited in Sprague, Sprague Families, p. 123. </ref> SPRAGUE, RALPH, came to America, a. 25; was prominent in the early settlement of Charlestown, Mass., where he was several years a selectman;in 1630, first constable, in 1639 lieut. and in 1637 and 8 years after, a representative; d. in 1650. (Young's Chron. Mass., p. 373.) <ref>American Biographical Library: The Biographical Cyclopædia of American Women, Volume II; American Biographical Notes, S, The Chicago Historical Society, page 374 </ref> SPRAGUE, Ralph, husbandman, fuller, son of Edward, of Upway. Dorset, fuller, "sometimes of Fordington, co. of Dorset," came with his bro. Richard to Salem in 1628. They made their way through the woods to Charlestown in the spring of 1629, and were there when the party arrived tobuild the Great House and make other preparations for the coming of Gov. Winthrop and his party. He appl. frm. Oct. 19, 1630, was adm. frm.May 18, 1631. Lieut. The court app. him constable of Watertown in 1630. Deputy 1635 and afterward. He rem. to the part of Char. which became Malden.<ref name="pioneer"> The Pioneers of Massachusetts, pages 11320-11329, Ancestry.com, 1998, cited by The Sprague Project </ref> SPRAGUE, Ralph (1603-50); brother of William), from Eng. to Salem, Mass., ca. 1626; re- moved to Charlestown, 1629; dep. Gen Ct, 1635 et seq.; ensign for Charlestown, 1646; it., 1637-41 1647-49; mem. A. and H. A. Co., 1637; m Joan Warren. <ref> ABRIDGED COMPENDIUM, Frederick Virkus, pages 3528 and 3529. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>

Early Life in Dorset

Name

Lt. Ralph Sprague <ref name="sprague"> Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:The Capital City Press, 1913), page 25. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>

Birth and Parentage

He was born about 1599 in Upwey, Dorsetshire, England. <ref> Great Migration Begins, Anderson, Robert Charles, (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1995), "b. about 1595, probably at Upway, Dorsetshire", Volume III, page 1729.. </ref><ref> Mary & John, Spear, Burton W., (Toledo, OH, The Mary & John Clearing House), "b. ca 1599", Volume 17, page 141..</ref><ref>Book: Spragues of Malden, Chamberlain, George Walter, (Boston, Mass, Privately Printed, 1923.), "b. ca 1599"..</ref><ref>American Families-Genealogies/Bio's., (New York, NY: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1921), "b. 1603", pages 30-40..</ref><ref>Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:The Capital City Press, 1913), "b. 1603.", page 25. </ref> He was Christened 20 Jun 1599 at Upwey, Dorsetshire, England <ref name="sprague"/> Son of Edward and Christian Sprague, Upway, Dorcetshire, England. <ref name="monument"> Monument in Forestdale Cemetery, Malden, Middlesex Co, MA, cited by MacAuley. </ref> Ralph Sprague, eldest son, born in Upwey, County Dorset; <ref name="gr147"/> Birth year is reported as 1603 in England. <ref name="sprague123"> Sprague, Sprague Families, p. 123 </ref> Ralph Sprague's parents were Edward Sprague, b. Abt 1576, prob. Upwey, Dorsetshire, England d. Between 6 Jun 1614 and 13 Oct 1614, Upwey, Dorsetshire, England (Age ~ 38 years) and his wife Christian [--?--], b. Abt 1578, Upwey, Dorsetshire, England d. 25 Mar 1651, Upwey, Dorsetshire, England (Age ~ 73 years). They were married Abt 1597 in Dorsetshire, England <ref> Sprague Families in America, Sprague, Warren Vincent, (Rutland, Vt: The Tuttle Company, Printer, 1913), page 119. </ref> Lt. Ralph Sprague was born about 1595 in Upwey, Dorsetshire, England. He was christened on 20 Jun 1599 in Upwey, County Dorset, England. He died on 24 Nov 1650 in Malden, Middlesex Co., MA. <ref> "Ancestral File" Ralph Sprague (Lt) (AFN:GVLW-87) </ref> Ralph, son of Edward Sprague, was born in Dorsetshire, England. <ref name="ny"/> He was a brother of Richard Sprague, and father of Richard. <ref name="artillery"/>

Parentage

Ralph Sprague, some time of Fordington, Dorset, fuller, afterwards of Charlestown, New England, planter, and his wife Joan, daughter of Richard Warren, of Fordington, husbandman, sent, in 8-9-1638, power of attorney to William Derby, of Dorchester, England, gentleman, to demand and receive such portion as might come to them from Warren's estate, and remit the same through Sprague's sister Alice (Sprague) Eames, of Pomberry Mill, near Dorchester, and a letter was sent the same day by Ralph to his sister Alice about this same matter. <ref name="families"/> In Aug. 1640, Ralph and his wife Joan made John Holland, on Tinckleton, Dorset, fuller, and attorney to receive John Cox, of Bowlington, andElizabeth, his wife, executors of Richard Warren, deceased, seven pounds given by his will to said Joan and her children John, Jonathan, Richard, Samuel, Mary, Phineas, or any other sum due upon them.<ref name="families"/>

Early Life in England

Soon after the death of her father Alice married Richard Eames and moved to the Dorchester area to live near Puddletown. Ralph followed and went to Fordington. It is thought that being still in his teens, he was apprenticed to his grandfather Tristram's mill, thus easing the burden on his mother in Upwey.<ref name="watkins"> Joan Watkins, 1992, correspondent. "The Sprague Family from Dorset, To Massachusetts & Gibraltar." Cited by Sprague Project. </ref> Ralph Sprague was husbandman, and fuller of Upwey, County Dorset, England. <ref name="gr146"/>

Fuller

In Dorset the Spragues were fullers, practitioners of a process in themaking of woolen cloth called "fulling" or "tucking". Immediately after a piece of woollen cloth has been woven, the fibres of its fabricare loose, airy and unmeshed, similar in texture and appearance to a piece of cheese-cloth or sack-cloth. Langland highlighted the uncomfortable and impractical nature of unfulled cloth as well as noting the processes closely associated with fulling - raising and shearing. Also the cloth still retains, clinging to its fibres, a significant amount of oil or grease, introduced to facilitate weaving. This must be removed if the cloth is to be dyed, since oils and grease will inhibit the binding action of the dyes.Fulling, also known as felting, was one in a sequence of processes involved in the production of woollen cloth and fulfilled two functions that were necessary for the proper finishing of the cloth: scouring andconsolidation of the fibres of the fabric. <ref> Note dated February11, 2007 from Don Whitman, correspondent, after a visit to the Sprague home and mill in Upwey, Dorset. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>

1623 Marriage

Joanna Warren, b. 1603, d. 24 Feb 1680, Woburn, Middlesex Co., MA,(Age 77 years) 15 Aug 1623 Saint George, Fordington, Dorchester, Dorsetshire, England <ref> New England Marriages, Torrey, Clarence A., (Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004), page 698. Cited bySprague Project. </ref> In 1623 he married Joanna Warren whose father Thomas Warren was thought to have lived in the Manor House at Fordington. In 1624 their first son John was born and baptised in the Church of Fordington St. George.Jonathan followed in 1625, (although there is no later mention of Jonathan it could be that he died in childhood.) <ref name="watkins"/> Some sources show Ralph Sprague's wife as Joan Corbin, daughter of John of Fordington, County Dorset. <ref name="gr147"> Genealogical Register" April 1909, page 147. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>. This is an error derived from the marriage of John Corbin to Thomas Warren's widow, hence making John Corbin Ralph Sprague's "father-in-law" because he was married to Ralph Sprague's wife's mother. By a letter dated Mar. 25, 1651, one John Corbin of Upwey, England appears to have been Ralph's father-in-law. A copy of this letter is to be found in the "New England Historical and Genealogical Register," IV,289. In "Lochford's Note Book" are several legal papers and letters of 1638-39 from Ralph Sprague and Joan, his wife, wherein it is expressly stated that her father had died, and that his name was Richard Warren, so that instead of John Corbin being her father he had probably married her mother the Widow Warren. <ref name="families"/> He married Joane, daughter of Richard Warren of Fordington, England, who left legacies to her and her children. <ref name="ny"/> She gave a power of attorney to John Holland of Tinckleton, England, to collect these bequests. She was a member of the Charlestown and later of the Malden church. Descendants of Ralph located at Lebanon, Connecticut.<ref name="ny"/> His wife is listed as Joane Warren. <ref name="gr146">The Genealogical Register", after April 1946. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>

Immigration

Religion and Politics in Dorcetshire

Religion in England was still going through a very discordant time, especially when King Charles I ascended the throne in 1623 and married aCatholic French Princess. The town of Dorchester was also experiencing hard times as a result of two devastating fires in 1613 and again in1622. The prosperity of West Country began to wane too. The taste in clothing and textiles were changing. The King and his entourage were demanding finer woven woolens, silks and cotton, none of which were available locally and had to be imported from the Continent. Added to this there were years of poor harvests and great cold in the winters, with the rural population suffering many hardships and becoming restive by lack of employment and near starvation.<ref name="watkins"/>

Rev. John White

Meanwhile, a forceful Puritan Cleric, White-4326|Rev. John White began to play a significant part in Ralph Sprague's future. As early as1606 the Rev. white was appointed Rector of two churches in Dorchester. The Holy Trinity and St. Peters. This Patriarch, as he became known, with his great energy and religious zeal, spread his strong Puritan influence gradually throughout the County and in fact assumed the roleof Religious Leader to the West Country. At the same time he endeavored to maintain his loyalty to the Church of England, but dedicated hislife to the service of Almighty God with a simplicity of lifestyle and strong convictions.<ref name="watkins"/> Ralph Srague (1599-1650) was the son of Edward Sprague ,a fuller Miller of Upwey Dorsetshire, and a friend of the Rev John White of Dorchester. When Charles I ascended the English throne in 1625 and married a RomanCatholic, Henrietta Maria, daughter of King Henry I V of France. At that time the town of Dorchester was suffering hardships due to bad harvests and fire. This puritan-cleric John White began to play a significant part in Ralph Sprague's future. the Rev White became very interested in the New World, when in 1623 a religious body by the name of thePILGRIM FATHERS set sail-from Plymouth for New England. Possibly religion played a great part in Ralph Sprague's leaving England. He sailedwith a Mr Endicott on the ship Abigail from Weymouth on June 20th 1628 arriving at Salem Sept 6th 1628. The rest is American History. Ralph's younger brother Edward remained in Upwey with his Mother who later married a John Corben of Dorchesterr. <ref>note from Chris Carter of Upwey to Don Whitman, cited in note dated February 11, 2007 from Don Whitman, correspondent, after a visit to the Sprague home and mill in Upwey, Dorset. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>

Influence of the Pilgrims

The Rev. White became very interested, when in 1623 a religious body by the name of 'Pilgrim Fathers' organised an expedition and set sail from Plymouth for "New England". He began to look towards this new country as a place to further his own religious ambitions. The change in fortunes in Dorset and the West Country as a whole played a large part in his campaign. He tried to organise a Charter to colonise the area known as Massachusetts. In order to obtain financial backing, he had tobattle against City Magnates and well-to-do personalities who themselves had begun to see the great possibilities of wealth and trade, as opposed to those of a purely religious nature. He had a few abortive attempts.<ref name="watkins"/> Eventually he succeeded and the Company of New England was formed. According to Francis Higginson's diary written at the time, the followingis an extract: "The Company of New England consisted of many worthy gentlemen of the City of London, Dorchester and other places, aiming atthe glory of God, the propagation of the Gospel of Christ, the conversion of the Indians and the enlargement of the King's Majesty's dominions in America, and being authorised by his Royal Letters Patent for that, and at their very great costs and charge furnished five ships to go to New England for the further settling of the English Plantations that had begun in 1628". The five ships were "Talbot", "George", "Lyon's Whelp", "Four Sisters", and "Mayflower".<ref name="watkins"/>

The Decision to Emigrate

The year was 1629, Ralph was about 29 and a great friend of the Rev. John White. Somehow he was persuaded to uproot his family and join thisscheme. According to records, Ralph, his wife Joanna and son John (aged about 4) together with his brothers Richard and William (only 19) agreed to join and set sail it is thought on the "Lyon's Whelp".<ref name="watkins"/> What impelled the Spragues to make this great decision to leave England can only be conjecture. Being friends of the Patriarch John White, the underlying motive must have been religion. It was a mammoth undertaking, fraught with dangers but the overwhelming desire was to search for a land where the true principles of faith and morality could be practised, which was proving difficult in England. Added to this there must have been a great spirit of adventure in an age of increasing discoveries. A hope too of gaining a better way of life than they could enjoy in Dorset. Their courage to face such a voyage with a young family must have been daunting.<ref name="watkins"/> They were bolstered and encouraged by Ministers saying they would findhonour and glory in the works of the Almighty God beyond the seas. Itwas thus they embarked on the "Lyon's Whelp" in 1629. Ralph's youngerbrother Edward remained at Upwey with his Mother Christian, who latermarried John Corben.<ref name="watkins"/> Whether actuated by the desires for religious liberty or by hopes of gain, there is some controversy. <ref name="families"/>

The Lyon's Whelp

To quote further from Francis Higginson's Diary, he writes: "The Lyon's Whelp" was a neat and nimble ship of 120 tons, eight pieces of ordinances carrying in her many mariners and forty planters specially from Dorchester an thereabouts with provision and 4 goats. On 10th May 1629the ship was in the port of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight ... Monday morning 11th May blew a fair wind from east southeast, the Lyon's Whelp having taken in all her provisions for passengers about three o'clock in the afternoon we hoisted sail and ... by God's guidance safely passed the narrow passage (the Needles) and entered into the sea....".<ref name="watkins"/>

Arrival at Naumkeag

Arrived Naumkeag, Salem, 1629 <ref name="monument"/>First settler of Mystic Side (now known as Malen)<ref name="monument"/>
On 11th June they reached the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Here they encountered frightening mountains of ice in the sea. Towards night camea thick fog and the "Lyon's Whelp" became lost and spent many hours the next day trying to locate the other ships in their company. They continued to experience fogs and difficulties for more than two weeks until 19th June when Mr. Higginson writes: "This day by God's blessing and the directions (from Pilots) we passed the curious and difficult entrance into the large spacious harbour of Naimkecke." (Which became known as Salem.)<ref name="watkins"/> Ralph Sprague, son of Edward Sprague, a fuller of Upway, County Dorset, England, is said by Felt, in his Annals of Salem, to have come to America in the ship "Abigail" with Mr. Endicott, leaving Weymouth June 20, and arriving at Salem September 6, 1628. <ref name="artillery"/> Whether the Spragues came to America in the Abigail or the Lyon's Whelp is immaterial, but their arrival has been convincingly shown by [p. 32] the Hon. H. H. Sprague to be in 1628. The following spring, Mr. Bright, a minister and Mr. Thomas Graves, an engineer, with one hundred others, joined them.<ref name="families"/> Ralph Sprague came to Salem, Mass., in 1628, with his two brothers, Richard and William, his wife and two little boys, John and Richard. <ref name="families">"American Families--Genealogies and Biographical Information from Most Authentic Sources Including Much Valuable Material Drawn from Hitherto Unpublished Family Records with Accurate Reproduction--and Descriptions of Ancient Emblazonry Compiled by Masters of Genealogic and Heraldic Science", published by The American Historical Society, Inc., New York, 1921, pages 30-40. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>

New England

He was about twenty-five years old when he came to this country. <ref name="ny"/>

Salem

Came to Salem, MA in 1628 and from there went to Charlestown in 1629. <ref name="gr147"/> He emigrated to Salem, MA in 1628, was made a constable in Watertown in 1630, served as deputy in 1635, and afterwards, and finally settledin that part of Charlestown which became Malden. <ref name="gr146"/>

Charlestown

The landing and uploading of the ships took many days but when complete the Spragues together with several compatriots, by joint consent andapprobation of Mr. John Endicott, the Governor who had arrived in 1628, they undertook to travel on further afield westwards. For days theyexplored the uncouth wilderness in search of a suitable site. Eventually they came to the Charles River, where on the North side was a fertile neck of land full of stately timber, bounded on the East by the Mystic River. the surrounding countryside was inhabited by Indians called Aborigians. Their old Sachem (Chief) being recently dead, his eldestson called John Sagamore had taken over. He was a man of gentle and good disposition by whose free consent the Spragues and their compatriots were permitted to settle about the hill (called Mishawum) by the natives.<ref name="watkins"/> According to the New England Charter the records read: "It was jointlyagreed and concluded that this place on the north side of the CharlesRiver be called Charlestown .... Mr. Graves, (an Engineer employed bythe New England Company" do model and lay out the form of the Town and streets abut the hill. It is jointly agreed that each inhabitant have a two acre plot to plant upon and to fence in common... upon which Ralph Sprague and others began to build their houses and to prepare fencing for their lots which afterwards set up almost in a semicircular form on the South and southeast side of the field laid out to them, which lies situate on the northwest of the town hill."<ref name="watkins"/> It is thus that the Spragues and others founded the beginnings of Charlestown, which developed in the future years to include such places asMalden, Woburn, Stoneham, Hurlington, Somerville, a large part of Medford, a small part of Cambridge, West Cambridge, and Reading. The Charlestown of today however is not quite so extensive.<ref name="watkins"/> In addition to building their own homes, a "Great House" had to be erected on the directions of Mr. Graves on the south eastern slope of thehill for governor Winthrop and his associates who were due to arrive in 1630. The Great House was also to serve as a Meeting House for the first few years.<ref name="watkins"/> Their first months in Charlestown was spent in clearing lands, fellingtrees in order to build the homes. There had not been much time to plant crops and the icy blasts of winter came before they were totally prepared. That winter of 1629/30 was particularly severe in a climate none of them had ever experienced before. They became short of provisions and suffered great hardships.<ref name="watkins"/> "After Mr. Endicott arrived at Naumkeag [Salem], he commissioned Messrs. Ralph, Richard and William Sprague and others to explore the country about Mishawum, now Charlestown. Here they met with a tribe of Indians, called Aberginians. By the consent of these, they commenced a plantation." <ref name="artillery"/> He and his wife Joan were members of the First Church, Boston, but, with thirty-one others, were dismissed October 14, 1632, "to enter into a new church body at Charlestown." <ref name="artillery"/> He was one of the first selectmen of Charlestown, chosen February 10, 1634. His homestead, consisting of one acre of "earable land, ... witha Dwelling house upon it west upon the highway," was situated "at theeast end of the common, butting south and west upon the highway," having Mystic River on the northeast. The Charlestown land Records, p. 53, describe twelve different pieces of real estate as the possession ofRalph Sprague. <ref name="artillery"/> With several others they journeyed twelve miles to a hill on the northside of the Charles river, and on the south and southeast slope they made a settlement in 1628, building their homes in a semi-circle on the two acres of land Gov. Endicott granted to each of them. This settlement, called Charlestown, was within the present city limits of Boston. Here they found upon their arrival one solitary white man, Thomas Welford, an Englishman, living in a palisado house. This territory was owned and occupied by the Massachusetts Indians, a powerful but friendly tribe, with Sagamore John as sachem, who gave them permission to settle. <ref name="families"/> Oct 14, 1632, he and his wife were dismissed from the "Congregation ofBoston" to enter into a new body at Charlestown. <ref name="families"/> In 1634 he was made one of the first selectmen of Charlestown; in May,1635, he was a representative and frequently afterwards, 1636-1636, 1644-1645; in 1639 he became a member of the Artillery Company. <ref name="families"/> Nine years from the settlement in Charlestown, Ralph and Richard ownedlarge tracts of land along the opposite side of Mystic river, near Ell Pond, which the called "Pond Feilde." This was in the west part of Malden, now Melrose. Ralph had ninety acres and Richard sixty acres. <ref name="families"/> Ralph Sprague came to Salem, Mass., in 1628, and from there went to Charlestown in 1629. <ref>"The Brothers Ralph & William Sprague and someof Their Descendants", by Frank William Sprague, 1909, page 3. Cited in Sprague Project. </ref> He removed to the part of Charlestown that was set off as Malden. <refname="ny"/>

Indian Conspiracy

In the Spring of 1630 there was a conspiracy among the Indians who planned to cut off the English. The faithful Sagamore however revealed the Indian plot an so all the people of Charlestown agreed to make a small fort with palisades and flankers on the top of the Town Hill. All hands men, women an children laboured at the digging and building untilthe work was done. The nearby town of Salem joined in the counter attacks that ensued with their big guns, and after quite a number of skirmishes the Indians were scattered. After this experience Charlestown felt themselves compelled to organise a form of Militia to prevent any future incursions.<ref name="watkins"/>

1630 Governor's Arrival

When the Governor arrived later in 1630 he "found the Colony in a sad and unexpected condition. No less than eighty had died during the verycold winter and those that had survived could hardly procure the means of subsistence." Gradually the summer saw a general improvement. More Settlers arrived in New England and trade and cultivation of the lands soon began. However, the Puritan moral codes and strictures still dominated the scene.<ref name="watkins"/>

1630 Public Life and Freeman's Oath

On first Jury 1630<ref name="monument"/>
Deputy to General Court 1634<ref name="monument"/> Representative to General Court 1636<ref name="monument"/> According to the Massachusetts Records, Ralph took the Freeman's Oath in May 1630 and was appointed Constable of Charlestown in the same year. It is also recorded that in 1634 he was commissioned with two others to advocate certain interests of the town before the General Court, and the next year 1635 he was chosen Selectman, and continued in that position for some time. In 1632 with his wife, Joanna, they were listed as Members of the first Church and "did enter into the Covenant". In1635, the General Court granted him 100 acres of land "having borne great difficulties in the beginning." Their home stood in Crooked Lane,later called Bow Street near the Great House and what is now part of the City Square.<ref name="watkins"/>

Jury

On Sept. 28, 1630, Ralph Sprague was one of a jury impaneled; this wasthe first jury in Massachusetts. In his short life of forty-seven years he was a very prominent man. <ref name="families"/> He was on what is thought to have been the first jury empaneled in this country. <ref name="ny"/>

1631 Freeman

He was admitted a freeman May 18, 1631; appointed by the general courtconstable of Watertown in 1630; deputy to general court in 1635 and afterward. <ref name="ny"/> On Oct. 19, 1630, he made requisition to be admitted as a freeman of the colony, and took the freeman's oath May 18, 1631. At General Court this month he was made constable, and became in regular succession sergeant, ensign, lieutenant, and captain of militia. On May 18, 1631, hewas admitted freeman. <ref name="families"/> He became a freeman October 19, 1630, and was the first person chosen to the office of constable at Charlestown, in 1630. <ref name="artillery"/>

Land

The Charlestown Land Records, page 53, describe (1638) twelve different pieces of real estate in Ralph's possession. His homestead consistedon one acre of "earable--with a dwelling house upon it and other apitnances," and was situated at the east of the common, butting south andwest upon the highway, having Mystic river on the northeast. <ref name="families"/>

1638 Military

He also joined the Militia and later became a member of the Boston Artillery Company. The records of the time state: "the Sprague family were noted persons of character, substance and enterprise, excellent citizens and generous public benefactors." Just before Ralph died in 1650,he petitioned among others for their own lands on the Mystic side of Charlestown to be known as Malden. This was granted.<ref name="watkins"/> Deputy, 1638. <ref> Ancient Artillery Company, Book 2, National Society Women Descendants and the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company, Page 25, TERRY, Accepted March 10, 1943, National Number 330.</ref>

He was lieutenant of the train band. <ref name="ny"/> He was active in military matters, and successively became sergeant in1634, ensign in 1646, lieutenant in 1647, and captain. He representedCharlestown in the General Court in May, 1635, and afterwards, in allfor nine years, --being a deputy when the charter of the Artillery Company was granted.<ref name="artillery">"History of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company", page 78. Cited by Sprague Project. </ref>

1649 Boundary Commission

In 1649, Ralph was one of a Commission to settle the boundaries between the Mystic River and Charlestown. <ref name="watkins">

1650 Death and Burial

He died in September, 1650, at the age of 47, in Malden Massachusetts,which has been the home of some of his descendants during all of these 250 years (1913). His will was dated June 11, 1650 and entered in 1651. Joan his widow, married Deacon Edward Converse of Woburn, Massachusetts, September 2, 1662. She died there February 24, 1680. <ref name="families"/>

He died November, 1650. <ref name="ny"/><ref name="artillery"/> Ralph Sprague died 24 Nov 1650 in Malden, Middlesex Co., MA. <ref>Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:The Capital City Press, 1913), page 25. </ref><ref>History of Artillery Company, page 78</ref> He is buried at the Forest Dale Cem, Malden, Massachusetts. <ref>Sprague, Ralph, Genealogy, Sprague, E. G., (Montpelier, VT:TheCapital City Press, 1913), page 25.</ref> At Ralph's death he bequeathed his homestead and its farm to his sons John and Phineas, and his farm in Pond Feilde" to his sons Richard andSamuel. His home was located in what is now Mountain avenue. <ref name="families"/> The distribution of his estate was made February 6, 1650-51, to widow Joanna and children John, Samuel, Mary and Phinehas. The widow marriedEdward Converse. <ref name="ny"> Genealogical and Family History of Northern New York", page 477-481 </ref> In the Forestdale Cemetery, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA is a monument toLt. Ralph Sprague though he is not known to be buried in this cemetery. The stone reads:<ref name="MacAuley">From Dave MacAuley, correspondent. </ref><ref><i> In memory of Lt. Ralph sprague, son of Edward and Christian Sprague, Upway Dorcetshire, England 1600-1650. arrived in Naumkeag, Salem 1629. A 1st settler of Mystic Side (now known as Malen).On first Jury 1630. Deputy to General Court 1634. Representative to General Court 1636. </i></ref> Sprague, Ralph, Lt., immigrant to New England on the Lion's Whelp in 1629, Memorial at Malden, Mass

Children

1. Sprague-174|Capt. John Sprague, b. 23 May 1624, Saint George, Fordington, Dorchester, , Dorsetshire, England d. 24 Jun 1692, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, (Age 68 years) <ref name="database"/># Jonathan Sprague, b. 23 May 1624, d. Dec 1650, Malden, MiddlesexCo., MA, (Age 26 years)<ref name="database"/># Sprague-963|Capt Richard Sprague, b. Abt 1627, England d. 7 Oct 1703 (Age ~ 76 years)# Sprague-964|Jabez Sprague, b. 1629, d. 1651 (Age 22 years)<ref name="database"/># Sprague-171|Lt. Samuel Sprague, b. Bef 3 Jun 1632, Charlestown, Suffolk Co., MA, d. 3 Oct 1696, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, (Age ~ 64 years)<ref name="database"/># Sprague-966|Mary Sprague, b. Bef 14 Sep 1634, Charlestown, Suffolk Co., MA, d. 26 Nov 1717 (Age ~ 83 years)<ref name="database"/># Sprague-909|Phineas Sprague, b. Bef 31 May 1637, Charlestown, Suffolk Co., MA, d. 23 Jan 1690, Malden, Middlesex Co., MA, (Age ~ 52 years)<ref name="database"/>

Sources

<references />

See also:

• Sprague Project (14 Feb 10)
• Besides the "New England Historical and Genealogical Register," muchinformation can be obtained form Bradford's "History of Massachusetts," Frothingham's "History of Charlestown," and from the "Glimpse of the Beginning of the Massachusetts Bay Settlement", by H. H. Sprague andothers. <ref name="families"/>
• Chamberlain, George. Space:The Spragues of Malden, Massachusetts|The Spragues of Malden, Massachusetts (Boston, Mass., 1923) Page 22

GEDCOM Note