Margaret Squiers

Margaret Geaffit

• aka Griffith, Crawford, Willey
• Born 1615 in Wiltshire, England
• Died about 8 Sep 1691 at about age 76 in Oyster River, New Hampshire
• Daughter of [father unknown] and UNKNOWN Mother
• Wife of Stephen Crawford — married 1639 in New Hampshire
• Wife of Thomas Willey — married 6 Oct 1645 in Oyster River, Strafford, New Hampshire
• Wife of Barnard Squier — married Sep 1681 in New Hampshire

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From https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/LCX6-3DG/details

It is not certain when Thomas Willey arrived in the colonies, but prior to 1639. Some trees indicate that Allan Willey, of Boston is his father, while others indicate his father is a Frederyck. Please provide DNA or other evidence so that this may be permanently documented. Family legend indicates that 3 Willey brothers arrived from England. At the current time, nothing confirms whether the early Willey's in the colonies are related.

He was taxed in what is now Dover, NH in 1648 and 1650.

Prior to 1650, he was married to the Margaret, the widow of Stephen Crafford (Crawford) who was a fishing master at the Isles of Shoals. Stephen's partner was Wm Seavey - who ended up being the guardian for their two daughters, Susan and Sarah. In 1649, proceedings commenced to move the guardianship to Margaret (their mother), and Thomas Willey. Susan had already died after some doctoring, but Sarah and her father's inheritance were put under the administration of the Willey's. Stephen was cast away in a shallop before July 1642. Margaret's maiden name is not confirmed yet (please provide any evidence that you might have so we can put this to rest as well). Some list her name as Graffit (which some say is a misspelling of Crawford - but maybe it is Griffiths or something similar). Others say her maiden name is Long, or Ward or Leathers. Any evidence would be useful.

In 1651, Thomas Willey was sworn in as the constable of Oyster River.

They had 4 children. Sons, Samuel, Stephen, William, and John. Abigail and her husband William Leathers gave receipt of all dues from the beginning of the world to Margaret Squires (Thomas's widow). [It is thought Abigail is his daughter, but she is his granddaughter.]

Family

2. THOMAS2 WILLEY was born 1617 in (?? given as Lincolnshire or Lancashire), England, and died September 1681 in Oyster River, Strafford, NH.

He married MARGARET GEAFFIT. She was born 1615 in England, and died in Oyster River, Strafford, NH. Notes 2 and 3.

Notes for THOMAS WILLEY: Thomas in possession of land at Oyster River Point, 1645, estate date Sept 7, 1681

Children of THOMAS WILLEY and MARGARET GEAFFIT are:

• i.SAMUEL3 WILLEY I, b. Abt. 1646; d. May 21, 1679; m. (1) MARY CANNEY; m. (2) ELIZABETH 4. 5. 6. RANDALL. More About SAMUEL WILLEY I: Census: May 24, 1979, Burial
• ii.WILLIAM WILLEY, SR., b. Abt. 1647, Oyster Point Strafford, NH; d. October 15, 1706, Strafford, NH.
• iii.STEPHEN WILLEY, b. 1649, Strafford, NH.
• iv.JOHN WILLEY I, b. Bet. 1655 - 1656, Oyster River, Strafford, NH; d. September 10, 1739, Oyster River, Strafford, NH.
• v.ABIGAIL WILLEY, b. Abt. 1660; m. WILLIAM LEATHERS

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References

• Willey - New Hampshire line PDF
• History of the town of Durham, New Hampshire (Oyster River Plantation) with genealogical notes. by Stackpole, Everett Schermerhorn, 1850-; Thompson, Lucien, 1859- joint author; Meserve, Winthrop Smith, 1838- joint author (Publication date 1913). Page 382. < Archive.Org >
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Geaffit-1