Ruhamah Nickerson

Added by Elwin C. Nickerson about My Great Grandmother- Note citations below. In 1735, the town of Harwich was "Ordered to pay for Her care" while she lived with John Eldridge. Why Was The TOWN (Monomoick) ordered to pay for her care, if she was such a blight on society?? Ruhamah's husband, Joseph, died between 1725 and 1731 in Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts,, leaving her a widow. Ruhamah departed this life after 1735 at Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Ruhamah was laid to rest in Burial Hill, Monomoit, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. She lived to a “great age” and at the end of her life spent all of her time sitting in a chair. At her death it was decided by the town to bury her in “the same crooked position. Citations

  1. [S290] Nickerson Family Association, The Nickerson Family, page 23 - His wife, Ruhamah, apparently was one of the most colorful if not the most admirable of our ancestors! She was a "great beauty", Said and Recorded to have Flaming RED Hair- No doubt a Gene left Over By Nordic/Viking  Explores ,but "of a disagreeable nature" and delighted in harassing others, so that both her Indian and white neighbors tried not to offend her. It is said that, if provoked, she would play havoc with their washing, their choice plants, and the fruits of their harvest. She was ready for an argument or a fight at any time. She was even suspected of complicity when Edward Bangs' barn was burned - after they had quarrelled. Upon subsequent trial, Ruhamah was said to be ill and unable to attend court. For Joseph, an adverse action regarding security for his wife would cause him to lose his estate and render them destitute for life. This affair was decided favorably after he petitioned for an abatement.

     Ruhamah lived to a "great age", and had remained sitting for so many years that, at her death, it was thought best to bury her in "the same crooked position" - on Burial Hill, south of Ryder's Cove where many early Nickersons were buried. /ECN/

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/9JH2-ZMR/ruhamah-jones-1650-1735

When Ruhamah Jones was born about 1650, in Yarmouth, Cumberland, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America, her father, Teague Jones, was 31 and her mother, Ruhamah Jones, was 27. She married Joseph Nickerson about 1667, in Cape Cod, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 1 daughter. She lived in Harwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States in 1725. She died on 21 October 1735, in Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States, at the age of 86, and was buried in Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America.

Spouse

Joseph Nickerson
Male
1647–1725

•

Male

Ruhamah Jones
Female
1650–1735

•

Female

Marriage
about 1667
Cape Cod, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America

Children (6)

John Nickerson
Male
1671–1722

•

Male

Jeremiah Nickerson
Male
1675–1724

•

Male

William Reuben Nickerson
Male
1678–1765

•

Male

Joseph Nickerson, Jr.
Male
1682–1724

•

Male

Josiah Nickerson
Male
1685–1737

•

Male

Mary Nickerson
Female
1705–Deceased

•

Female

Parents

Teague Jones
Male
1620–1683

•

Male

Ruhamah Jones
Female
1624–1665

•

Female

Siblings (6)

John Jones
Male
1630–Deceased

•

Male

Jeremiah Jones
Male
1650–1705

•

Male

Ruhamah Jones
Female
1650–1735

•

Female

Samuel Jones
Male
1655–Deceased

•

Male

Josiah Jones
Male
1661–1745

•

Male

Elizabeth Jones
Female
–1734

•

Female