Rebecca Whichcote

Rebecca Jordan was born in London, England. She was the daughter of Thomas Jordan, a London merchant, and Margaret Martin.

By his second wife, Rebeccah, Matthew Cradock had three children that apparently did not survive. Rebeccah survived him, but the children are not mentioned in his will.[3]

Mrs. Rebecca Cradock, the widow of Matthew Cradock, after a few years of conventional mourning, espoused, before February 12, 1644-5, perhaps for a social position, Richard Glover, gent. Their wedded life was not a lengthy one; he died before the spring of 1647. After a suitable period of five years, in 1652, she was wedded to a third husband, Rev. Benjamin Whichcote, D. D., not only a learned and pious man but of a good old Lincolnshire family. It is said of him ‘It pleased God to bless him, as with a plentiful estate, so with a charitable mind. He was not only Charitable in his life but in a very bountiful manner at his death, bequeathing in pious and charitable legacies, to value of £ 1000.’ We can therefore be satisfied that the wealth of Matthew Cradock was put to good uses.

Notes

The will of Matthew Cradock dated November 9, 1640 is recorded in Middlesex, Mass. Probate records, under date of February 12, 1662. In it he mentions his [p. 15] wife Rebecca, and daughter Damaris, who each receive one half his estate, the widow a life interest only, to go on her death to his brother Rev. Samuel Cradock, or his heirs. On the widow's and daughter's marriage their husbands were to give sureties not to sell or alienate the estate. He names his nephew Samuel who was then a student at Emanuel College. He names his sister Sawyer and her daughter Dorothy. He gives his partners Thomas Hodlow and Edward Lewis in the Eastland trade, £ 600 each.

Citations

• 3. Medford Historical Society, page 138

Sources

1. Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 9. Matthew Cradock, by Walter K. Watkins of Malden. [Read before the Medford Historical Society, February 7, 1903.]

• http://www.theroyfamily.com/p15523.htm
• Proceedings of the Essex Institute, Volume 1 By Essex Institute. Page 246. GoogleBooks