Mathew Martin Ford

It is hard for me to prove but I think that the main ancestor of Martin/Mathew Ford(e) is one Stephen Ford(Found on Ancestry.com of English Emigrants and coming from Kingsbridge(a fishing area of Devon, England to the Isles of Shoals...of the coast of Mass and Maine. typed Jan 17, 2008

From the Family History of Eliakim Ford, published 1916, page 23--:

"The earliest known mention of Martin (or Mathew) Ford of Bradford, Essex Co.,Mass., is found in the original court record, Vol. XXXV, p. 58, of the Essex Co. Court Files at Salem, Mass. The case was in regard to the runaway servant of one John Simmons, and young Ford was sworn to prove that the said servant did not leave for want of food or drink. In 1688 Martin Ford bought land of this same John Simmons. The court records is as follows: 'In the case of John Simmons and his sarvant the Court doth order the the sarvant doe Returne home with his master and to Recompenc his master for the damage sustained by his Running away the Sd sarvent Tho. Bettis is to serve his master 6 months more than the time already ingadged & the Sd Simmons is advised to modertion in the useage of his sarvant & if he can agree with som other suitable person to dispose of said sarvant.' The deposition of Martin Forde aged about 20 years saith he did here Thom Betts sarvant to John Simmons say that he did not want meat nor drinke but his Mastar did alow him enough and this wase when he run last away from his Mastar in this March he having formerly also ran away. Sworne 25:1:81 before M. Saltonstall, Assist. NOTE -- this date signified Mar. 25 1681.

The 'Memorial History of Bradford,' p. 35, speaks of him as Mathew, saying: "1682-3. Mathew Ford joined the Church (a Frenchman) that served his apprenticeship to Mr. Walker."

Frp, the research of Yvette Seldin(email:Yseldin@aol.com) rcd Nov 2001 from Al White, PA: Matthew-Martin was 22 years old in 1683 when he joined the Church of Bradford(now named the First Church of Christ est. 1682). This old church was built on the green during Matthew/Martin's time but the new church that has been built to replace it was built on Church St., which is on one side of the green. He married on March 25 1684 in Bradford, Lydia Shatswell Griffin or Griffing. She was born June 21, 1664 in Havershill. On Oct 7 1688, Matthew/Martin bought 5 acres of land on the Merrimack River in Bradford from the same Mr. Simmons. In the deed to this land he signed his name with two \\ which possibly means that he could not read or write. He served an apprenticeship under a Mr. Walker or Walter but it is unknown what trade the apprenticeship was. On Nov. 1 1694, he sold his 5 acres of land to his cousin Israel Elan and moved to the neighboring town of Topsfield. In 1712, Matthew/Martin's children received the 5 acres of land in Bradford as a gift from Israel but Matthew's brother claimed his right to the land. His death occurred between 1694 and 1697, but waw not recorded in Massachusetts vital records and at this time it is unknown where he was buried."

SAVAGES Dictionary speaks of him as "Martin Ford, of Bradford."

There seems to be no possible question but that the Martin and Mathew Ford above mentioned are one and the same person, as the following certified deeds show tht he bought a certain parcel of land on the 7th of Oct., 1688, of John Simmons, as Martin Ford; that he sold the exact property ont he first day of Nov. 1694, to Israel Ela as Mathew Ford; and that Israel Ela deeded the same land, on the 23rd day of Sept. 1697 to his cousins, the children of Mathew Ford and Lydia his wife.

The deeds are as follows: 'Book 23, page 264 John Simmons to Martin Ford recorded April 21 1712 To all Christian People whom it may concern sends greeting, Know Yee that I that Simmons of the towne of Bradford in the County of Essex in the Massachusetts Colony in New England Weaver, for divers good causes me thereto moving with Mary, my wife, but especially for and in consideration of six pounds, thirteen shillings, in hand received to content have bargained and sold and do by these presents bargaine and sell to Martin Ford of the same towne and county a piece or parcell of land containing of aobut four or five acres, be it more or less, being within the bounds of the towne of Bradford aforesaid, and is bounded on the east side by land of Jonathan Hopinson, on the north end by Merrimack River, on the west side it is bounded by a little Run of water or brook to a black ash m arked, from thence it runs on the west side of the Brook to a red Oak marked, from thence by the brook or run of water to a Maple Tree marked which is the south corner from hence it doth run on the east side of the Brook to Jonathan Hopkinsons land first mentioned, this west and south side here mentioned, with all the marks is by land of said John Simmons that bounds it on the west and south side from Merrimack river to Jonathan Hopinsons land as the bounds are here mentioned. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD to him the said Martin Ford, his heirs, Executors, administrators and assigns forever with a convenient foott path to the country high way and I do warrantize my selfe to be legally seized of the said land and that it is few from all former gifts, grants, thirds, entailments, rights, titles, encumbrances whatsoever and will defend it from all by or under me my heires, executors or assigns that so he said Martin Ford his heires and assigns may peaceably enjoy and occupy the same and every part of it with all its priviledges, rights and imunitys with the Path before mentioned and that forever. In WITNESS hereto I have set to my hand and scale this seventh of October in the fourth yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord King James, the second, Annoq Domini 1688. JOHN SIMMONS, & a seale Witness:Simon Wainwright Edward Young Examd. John Simmons of Bradford owned this to be his act and deed, July 25th, 1692, before me. Math. Saltonstall, Assists Essex Registry Deeds (So.Dist.) Salem, August 29 1913 The foregoing is a true copy of record in this office Attest: Robt. W. Osgoode, Assist. Register

BOOK 10, PAGE 91. Foard to Elah Entred December 11th, 1694. Be it knowne unto all men before whome this present deed of sale shall come that I, Mathew Foard, of ye Towne of Haverhill in ye Countey of Essex in New England for good causes & consideracons me thereunto moving and more expecially for & in consideration of ye sume of fifty poundes to me in hand paid & secured to be paid unto me by Esaril Ela of said Haverhill, I therefore have and by these presents doe give, grant, bargaine, sell, enfeoffe & confirme unto the said Esaril Ela all and singer my house & land lying & being in ye Towneship of Bradford in y countey of Essex aforced lying by Merrimack River the lott or messuage being five acres more or less, it being butted and bounded as followeth viz; On ye east side it is bounded by ye land Jonathan Hopinson & on y north side by ye said Merrimack River & on ye west is bounded by a small brooke or run of water unto a red oake tree which is marked and from thence is bounded by ye said Brooke unto another tree which is marked, on ye East side of said Brooke to ye land of ye forsd Jonathan Hopinson. And I, the abovesd Mathew Foard, have also sold and delivered unto ye abovesd Isaril Ela my younge mare and my black cow, all my swine and sider & corne with all my household goods and provisions all and singular, ye above mentioned and bargained premises. I, ye abovesd Mathew Foard, have and by vertue of this deed of sale doe absolutely sell and have firmly absolutely & clearly sold unto ye abovesd Israell Ela, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever to them or either of them TO HAVE & TO HOLD possess, occupye & enjoy to their whole & sole use without any manner of lett, hindrance, disturbance or molestacon or disturbance from, by or under me, or by any person or persons whatsoever laying any just claime or title to all or any part of ye above bargained and sold premises hereby alsoe afirming that at ye time of ye signing hereof tht I, ye abovesaid Mathew Foard, am of full power to sell and give unto ye abovesd. Ela, the which I have now done and given unto him full & absolute possession of all and singular ye above named & Bargained premises. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto sett my hand & seale this first day of November one thousand six hundred ninety and four. // (The marks of Mathew Foard & seale. Signed, sealed & delivered in ye psents. of us, Eddw. Ewster, James Glass, John Lee. Boston, Novembr ye 14, 1694 Then Mathew Foard personaly appeared before me the subscribers one of ye justices for ye countey of Suffolke & acknowledged this instrument to be his act & deed. Examd.S. Sewall, Regr.Timonty Prout,, Essex Registry Deeds (So. Dist.) Salem, August 29 1913 The foregoing is a true copy of record in this office Attest: Robt. W. Osgoode, Asst. Recorder."

FROM SALE HISTORY BY ELIAKIM FORD, page 27, etc.:

"BOOK 24, Page 10. Israel Ela to Lydia Ford & ca. recd on record June 28, 1711. KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS yt Israel Ela of Haverhill in ye province of ye Massachusetts Bay in New England joyner, for ye love which I bear to my cousins, Lydia Ford, Jno. Ford, Mathew Ford & Elizabeth Ford, ye naturall children of Mathew Ford and of Lydia, his wife, & for other good causes and consideracons me hereunto moving do hereby give, gran, alienate, set to and confirm unto ye above named four children a certaine parcell of land in ye bounds of Bradford in ye abovesaid province bounded on ye east by land of Jonathan Hopkinson and on ye north by Merrimack River and on ye west it is bounded by a small brooke unto a red oake tree which is marked and from thence bounded by ye small brook abovesaid to another tree which is marked on ye east side of ye said brooke to ye land of ye foresaide Jonathan Hopinson ye said land respectively beit more or less as it is so bounded being by Estimation five acres with a small house thereon wth. all ye fences, liberties, privileges & appurtenances thereunto belonging firmly and absolutely unto them ye said John Ford, Mathew Ford, Lydia Ford & Elizabeth Ford. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD and peaceably to possess and enjoy to them their heirs executors, admrs. & assignes for ever to be equal sharers in ye sale all or so many of them as shall survive until they come to ye age of twenty-one years and I, ye abovesaid Israel Ela do warrant myselfe to be ye lawful proprietor of ye said house and land before & until this conveyance as I purchased it of Mathew Ford, formerly of Bradford and do warrant this my gift to be as firm & sure to them as ever it was confirmed to me ye said Ela by ye abovesaid Ford and do hereby warrant ye said Mesuage or tenement to be free from all former gifts, grants, sales dowryes, mortgages, judgements, executions, or any other legall incumbrance of what name or nature or ever contracted before ye date hereof in from by or under me or by my means or procurement so yt. henceforth ye said Lydia Ford, Jno. Ford, Mathew Ford & Elizabeth Ford shall and may from time to time and all times after they come to ye age of Twenty-one years have ye sole & proper use and improvement of ye abovesaid land wth. ye said house & all appurtenances wihout any lett, deniall interuption or hindrance by me ye said Ela my heirs, executors, admrs. assigns or any claiming in, from, by or under me and I, ye said Ela, do hereby comitt ye abovesaid land intoye hands of Lydia Ford, ye mother of ye said four children to have ye use of ye said land from hence forth untill ye aforesaid children come to age as abovesd & then ye said premises to be equally divided amongst them yt. live to ye age of twenty & one years to every one as they come to age and for ye confirmation hereof I ye said Israel Ela have hereunto set my hand and seale this 23d day of Sepr.,16 hundred ninety seven in ye ninth year of ye Reign of our Sovereign Wiliam ye third of England, & ca. His ISRAEL xELA Mark & a seale. Signed, sealed and Dd in ye presence of us,Robert Swan Junr. Samll. Dalton. Att. an Inferiour Court of Pleas holden at Salem ye last Tuesday of June Anno Dom. 1711. Then Robert Swan Junr. made oath yt. he was present & saw Israel Ela ye vendor sign seale & deliver this instrumt. as his act & deed & yt. Samuel Dalton & this deponent set their hands as witnesses thereunto. Sworne Attest Stephen Sewall, Clerk. Examd. Essex Registry Deed (So. Dist.)Salem, Aguust 29 1913 the foregoing is a true copy of record in this office Attest: Robt. W. Osgoode, Asst.Regtr."

Page 29 of same history ny Eliakim Ford:

"As further and conclusive proof that Martin and Mathw Ford of Bradford were one and the same person, the following deed from JOHN FORD to his brother MATHEW, quit claiming his interest in the property deeded by ISRAEL ELA to his cousins, the children of MATHEW AND LYDIA FORD, is here given. The original deed is now in the possession of Mr. Luther Ford of Minneapolis, Minn. 'Know all men By these presents yt. Jno. ffoard now of Stonington in ye County of New London in her Majesties Coloney of Conecticutt, Carpenter have for & in Consideration of Thirty shillings Current money of New England to me in hand payed by my Loving Brother, Mathew ffoard of Topsfield in ye County of Essex in her Majesties Provence of ye Massachusetts bay; husbandman ye Receipt whereof I Do Acknowl'dg & acquitt exonerate & Discharge ye Sd Mathew Ffoard, he heirs, executors, adminstraers & assigns forever & for Divers other good Reasons & Considerations I ye Sd John ffoard have Remised & forever Quitt Claimed unto all my whole Right, tittle & interest in all Lands or Right of Land yt. now I have or of Right out to have, to any Land or tracts of Land within ye town of Bradford & yt. ye Sd Mathew fford, his heirs, executors, administrators shall & may forever have hold, use occupie possess & Injoy ye land; without any lett hindrance or mollestation or Ejecment by me, or any person or persons by from or under me & yt this Instrumt shall forever Debar me & my heirs & successors from Laying any claim to ye land forever; In witness whereof I, ye Sd John fford, have here unto sett my hand & seal this tenth Day of May, one thousand seven hundred and twelve, & in ye eleventh year of ye Reign of our Sovereign, Lady Anne Queen of Great Brittian, & c. John ford. Signed, Sealed and Dd. in Presents of us as Witnesses:James Sewell (Second name illegible) On the back of the deed is the following endorsement: "Mathew fford Quitt Claim, ffrom his Brother Jno."

• *This has to be the brother of Mathew and John who were the sons of Mathew/Martin Ford and Lydia Griffin.

Also from the Family History of Eliakim Ford, page 30: "All of the early Fords undoubedtly emigrated from England, even Martin Mathew was an Englishman, notwithstanding the fact that he was called a Frenchman, when he joined the church, and in the Vital Records of Bradford. About the middle of the eighteenth century, a colony of emigrants embarked from the Channel Islands and landed in Nova Scotia where they followed the occupation of fishing. The Channel Islands belong to England, but the inhabitants spoke French, and I believe do largely, even to this day. Later many of these people drifted down the coast, and some of them landed in Massachusetts where they located. The fact that Martin Mathew spoke French probably was the reason he was called a Frenchman."

Sources: 1.Title: Marriage Date for Martin/Mathew Ford and Lydia Griffen Page: Eliakim Ford Family History, p. 43(Published 1916) Text: Original Record fo Births, Marriages and Deaths(1663-1786) found in the Salem, Essex Co.Clerk's office: Married: Martin Ford and Lydia Griffen, March 25, 1684 Attests: Shubael Walker, Clerk for the town of Bradford March 25, 16__,Missing."