Nicholas White, Sr., of Taunton

concerns

Evidence needed to support parents seen as Walter White, of Fewston and Mary Browne. See discussion. Disconnected 1/20/2019. <DISCONNECTION NEEDED AGAIN!> (done and locked relationships.)

brief biography and family

Attached source: https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000016146127003&
"There is nothing definite known concerning the birth of Nicholas White, but there is no doubt that he belonged to the yeomanry of England. He was a freeman in Dorchester, Mass, in 1643, and about the same time married Susanna, daughter of Jonas and Frances Humphrey, who had also settled in Dorchester. At this time he was about twenty-five years of age, and had won the confidence of the early settlers. The first book of Dorchester records was destroyed by fire in 1657, and there is reason to believe that it contained the record of Nicholas White’s marriage and the births of his children, as well as many facts of his life while in Dorchester. In 1542 he bought of Henry Woolcot a tract of land in that part of Dorchester than called Uncaty, over which there was much contention in the courts with a Mr. Hutchinson, who claimed a prior title. He, it seems, afterward obtained judgment, but the property was in some way restored to Mr. White, who in the meantime had moved to Taunton, the removal taking place sometime between 1652 and October, 1655. At that time there was no settlement between Dorchester and Taunton, neither roads nor bridges. He was an early owner in the Taunton Iron Works, and was prominently connected with them for many years. Besides his interest in the iron works he became the owner of a quarter of a sawmill situated on Mill river, which gave the people of Taunton some annoyance by stopping the run of fish up the stream. On Oct. 31, 1666, complaint was made at the Plymouth court against the owners of the mill, the verdict being in favor of the people, this being, perhaps, the first of the many contests waged over the Taunton herring in the courts and Legislature of the State. In 1668 Nicholas White, and son Nicholas and his son-in-law Samuel Hall were members of a company which purchased a large tract of land lying north of Taunton, and extending to the boundary line between the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies. It was called the Taunton North Purchase, and embraced the present towns of Easton, nearly all of Mansfield and a large part of Norton. In 1672 Nicholas White and son and son-in-law, were among associates who bought a large tract of land lying south of Taunton, and comprising the town of Dighton and part of Berkley, which was called the Taunton South Purchase. Nicholas White was not a prominent figure in church or in public affairs, but an industrious and enterprising citizen who in his quiet way did his full share in converting the forests and wild lands into fertile fields and laying the foundation for a city in the wilderness. He was an active promoter of the prosperity of Taunton, and a large owner in its industries. By energy, industry and frugality he acquired a large property. He died in 1667, and in 1698 his estate was divided among his three sons, Nicholas, John and Joseph, and daughter Elizabeth. One child died early."

Children:

1. Elizabeth White, b. Jun 09, 1643, Dorchester, Suffolk, MA; d. 1707, Taunton, Bristol, MA.
2. Joseph White, b. 1645, Dorchester, Suffolk, MA; d. Oct 1724, Taunton, Bristol, MA.
3. John White, b. 1649, Dorchester, Suffolk, MA; d. Sep 03, 1726, Taunton, Bristol, MA.
4. Nicholas White, JR., b. Abt. 1650, Dorchester, Suffolk, MA; d. Jan 18, 1727/28, Boston, Suffolk, MA.
5. Son White, b. Abt. 1651; d. Unknown.
6. Child White, b. Abt. 1653; d. Unknown.

sources

• https://www.archive.org/stream/nicholaswhitefam03loth#page/n9/mode/2up

links

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/a/l/c/Helen-Alcott-IN/WE...

content to clean up

Retrieved from http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=halldb&id... 8/5/2008

Nicholas was one of the early Settlers of Taunton. When and how he came to New England is not known. He was made a freeman in Dorchester in 1643, and about that time he married Susanna. At the time, he was 25 years of age. In 1647, he bought from Henry Woolcot a tract of land in that part of Dorchester which was called Uncaty, now the town of Milton. He cleared a part of it and built a house, but before he was able to enjoy the benefits of his labor, he was sued by a Mr. Hutchinson, who claimed a prior title. Hutchinson obtained judgment and ousted him from the premises. However, a Dorchester history entry of 21 May 1656 indicates that Nicholas regained his property. In 1657, he was included in the list of the inhabitants of Taunton who had taken the "oath of fidelity." in 1668, Nicholas, his son Nicholas, and his son-in-law, Samuel Hall, were members of a company which purchased a large tract of land, the Taunton North Purchase. In 1672, they were among the associateds who bought the Taunton South Purchase from King Philip, an Indian leader.

The following entry is of quaint interest:

1672/74, Mch. 4. Vol. V, p79 P C: "Nicholas White Seni, of Taunton, stands bound unto the Court in the penall sume of L20:5d." This marked "Released." Jaell Smith had charged him and Thomas Jones "to have comitted uncleanes with her." She was fined L10; the men's cases being adjourned twice without judgment being of record anymore than the above "released" endorsement.

Another entry of interest is as follows:

1677, July 3. Vol. V, p. 162 P C: "Nicholas White, of Taunton, for selling liquor to the Indians severall times Contrary to the law of this govermnemt, was fineds the sume of thirty pounds, to the collonies use."

Nicholas died in 1697 and his estate was divided between his three sons,

Nicholas (d. 1727/28), John (1649-1726), and Joseph (d. 1724) and his daughter, Elizabeth Hall (b. 1643).