Capt. William Hedge

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IMMIGRANT, 1633 FREEMAN, 1634 CONSTABLE AT YARMOUTH, 1650 CAPTAIN OF THE MILITARY COMPANY OF YARMOUTH William's will was dated 30 Aug 1670.

Sources:

1) Helen Brown Database, 1 Feb 2002

http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:1835791&id=I87674923

2) Sharon Bearce Database, 8 Sep 2005

http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=royalancestors&id=...

3) The Great Migration Begins, Vol. I-III by Robert C. Anders on NEHGS ONLINE

http://www.newenglandancestors.org

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!Source: Family group sheet in the FGRA collection of the Family History

Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, submitted by Myrtle B. Shurtliff, 2314

Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City, 5,Utah. Her sources: Hedges Family of

N.E.; Desc of Wm. Shurtleff V1; Ceed Northwest Gen; Mayflower Desc

V12 & 18.

The FGRA sheet says he was born 1602, England, will proved 11 Aug

1670, first wife Mrs. Blanche Hedge, second wife Blanch Hull. It has no

marriage date but first child born abt. 1638.

Torrey's "N. E. Marriages..." says he had a first wife, Elizabeth,

and that he married Blanche Hull after 12 Mar 1666/7.

"The Great Migration Begins", by R. C. Anderson, 1995, says he was born

about 1612, son of Elisha and Ann Ward Hedge ("NEHGR" 111:319),

married ( 1 ) by about 1640, her name unknown, (2) after 1667 Blanche

(___) Hull, widow of Tristram Hull; she deserted him before 30 June

1670. It says he died at Yarmouth between 30 June 1670 (date of will)

and 5 July 1670 (court order to bring in will and inventory [Plymouth

Colony Records 5:43]).

"The Great Migration..." says "The marriage at Boston on 20 December

1657 of Tristram Hedges and Anne Nickerson is an intriguing one

["Boston Births, Baptisms,Marriages, and Deaths, 1630-1699", Ninth

Report of the Boston Record Commission ers (Boston 1883;rpt. Baltimore

1978) 62]. William Hedges did not have a son Tristram, but his second

wife was widow of Tristram Hull. Although the marriage took place in

Boston, Anne Nickerson was daughter of William Nickerson of Chatham,

and therefore a near neighbor of William Hedges on Cape Cod. This

conjunction of names may be mere coincidence, but deserves further

investigation.

"Several of the marriages of the children of William Hedges are difficult

to substantiate, and this is in part a consequence of the connections

with the Sturgis family, which is very poorly documented. In his will

William Hedges maned a daughter Mary Sturgis, and she is identified as

wife of Samuel Sturgis principally because there is no other available

Sturgis with wife Mary; in addition, Mr. Elixha Hedge is one of those who

was supposed to assist the widow Mary Sturgis in settling the estate of

Samuel Sturgis [PCR 5:160]. Most sources claim that Ellisha and William

Hedges married Mary and Elizabeth Sturgis, but there is no direct

evidence for this, and the known marriage of Mary Sturgis to one of the

sons of Edward Sturgis is sufficient to explain other associations

between the two families [Roger Faxton Sturgis, "Edward Sturgis of

Yarmouth, Massachusetts, 1613-1695 and His Descendants" (Boston

1914), pp. 10-18]."

"The Great Migration..." says: "Origin: unknown. Migration: 1633. First

Residence: Lynn. Removes: Sandwich 1638, Yarmouth by 1643. Church

membership: Admission to Lynn Church prior to 14 May 1634 implied by

freemanship. Freeman: 14 May 1634 ["Massachusetts Bay Company

Records" 1:369]. Oath of fidelity at Sandwich, 1639 (as 'Mr. Will[ia]m

Edge') [Plymouth Colony Records 8:184]. Education: Signed his will.

"Offices: Essex petit jury, 27 March 1638 ["Records and Files of the

Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts" 1:7]. Chosen Yarmouth

constable, 4 June 1650 [PCR 2:153]. Committee to lay out highway from

Sandwich to Plymouth, 24 February 1652[/3] [PCR 3:61-62]. Plymouth

grand jury, 7 June 1659 [PCR 3:162]. Coroner's jury, October 1659 [PCR

3:172]. (The Cape Cod history says this was on the death of Mary Chase.

See RIN 1013) In Yarmouth section of 1643 Plymouth Colony list of men

able to bear arms (as 'Will[ia]m Edge') [PCR 8:194]. 'Mr. Will[i]am Hedge'

chosen ensign of the Yarmouth military company [PCR 3:38]. (The Cape

Cod History [below] says this was 9 June 1653.) Ordered to exercise

military company at Yarmouth, 7 August 1655 [PCR 3:87]. 'Ensign

Will[i]am Hedge' appointed tocolony council of war, 2 October 1658 [PCR

3:153]. Appointed captain of the military company of Yarmouth, 2

August 1659 [PCR 3:169], and again on 3 June 1662 [PCR 4:15].

"Estate: On 16 April 1640 'Mr. Edge' received fourteen acres in the

court-ordered division of meadow at Sandwich [PCR 1:149]. On 29

August 1643 concerning 'the difference betwixt Mr. Hedge and Richard

Hore, of Yarmouth, for the meadow ground at Yarmouth, first given to the

church there, the Court doth order that the said six acres shall so remain

to the church according to the first grant, and that Mr. Hedge may take

his remedy against him or them that sold him the same, feing formerly

disposed of to the church as aforesaid' [PCR 2:62].

"In his will, dated 30 June 1670 and proved 11 August 1670, 'William

Hedge Seniior in Yarmouth ... being weak of body' bequeathed to 'my

beloved son Abraham Hedge this now my dwelling house with al the

household stuff ... and all my land that belongeth to my dwelling house,

and also all my lands, both upland and meadow that I have in the Prime

Field'; to 'my beloved son Elisha Hedge my neck of land and meadows

belonging thereunto provided that he pay his brother, my son William,

L5'; to 'my beloved son William L40 in debts and my best suit of clothes

and my best hat'; to 'my beloved son John L50 and my next suit of clothes

and my brass musket and my repier and belt and two mares and two

colts'; to 'my beloved son Elemuell L50 and two mares and two colts'; to

'my beloved daughter Sarah Mathews' L5; to 'my beloved daughter

Elizabeth Barnes' L5; to 'my beloved daughter Mary Sturgis' L40; to 'my

beloved daughter Marcye' L50; 'to my beloved sister Brookes L30 that is

of mine in Virginia that is due to me from Brother Brookes, deceased,

likewise it is my mind and will that my sister Brookes shall have her

livelihood amongst my children so long as she continues a wifow'; 'my

beloved son Elisha' sole executor; 'my beloved friends Mr. Thomas

Thornton, Mr. Edmond Hawes and Richard Tayler' overseers; 'whereas

Blanch, my wife, hath dealt falsely with me in the covenant of marriage

in departing from me, therefore I do in this my last will ... give her 13d.

and also what I have received of hers my will is shall be returned to her

again' ["Mayflower Descendant" 18:252, citing "Plymouth Colony Probate

Records" 3:20].

"Administration on the estate of 'Captain Will[i]am Hedge lately

deceased' was granted to Elisha Hedge on 11 August 1670 [PCR 5:47]. The

inventory of the estate of 'Cap[tain William Hedge of Yarmouth late

deceased' was taken 15 Juy 1670 and totalled L487 16s.,including no

real estate [MD 18:252 citing PCPR 3:21]. ....

"Comments: Pope has assigned the 1634 record of freemanship to

William Hedges of Taunton, but this was a different man, who was made

free in Plymouth Colony on 5 June 1651 [PCR 2:141, 167]. William of

Sandwich and Yarmouth was consistently called 'Mr.,' while William of

Taunton was not.

"On 28 March 1637 in Essex Quarter Court, 'Wm. Hedg' had a suit against

Ensign Walker and Mr. Edward Tomlin s [EQC 1:5], both of the latter being

early settlers of Lynn.

"Savage includes this in his account of William Hedge: 'A soldier in the

Pequot war, with this surname, whose name of baptism is not found,

either in Vincent, Underhill, or Mason, the narrators, who served with

him, is very well mentioned and the first writer (who probably spoke

with confidence), calls him a gentleman of Northamptonshire' [Savage

2:400]. All the particulars of this description fit William Hedges of

Lynn, Sandwich and Yarmouth.

"On 5 November 1638/9 'Mr. William Edge, gent.,' assigned to Thomas

Prence 'all his right and interest in the service of Rob[er]t Wickson [PCR

1:102]. On 4 December 1638 'Mr. Hedge' was one of eleven Sandwich men

presented at Plymouth court 'for keeping swine unringed' [PCR 1:107].

"On 6 March 1648/9 'Mr. William Hedge, of the town of Yarmouth,' was

presented for 'letting an Indian have a gun, and powder, and shot,' and

'the wife of Mr. Hedge, of Yarmouth,' was presented 'for receiving of

stolen goods' [PCR 2:137]. On 6 March 1649/50 'Mr. William Hedge, of

Yarmouth,' successfully sued Robert Nash of Boston [PCR 7:47]. On 5

October 1652 'William Hedge, of Yarmouth,' was presented 'for selling

wine and strong waters without license' [PCR 3:17].

"On 2 October 1658 'Mr. Will[i]am Hedge being presented for threatening

to have the blood of Edward Sturgis, upon some small difference betwixt

them, that Court do censure him to pay to the country's use the sum of

ten shillings' [PCR 3:150].

"On 9 August 1662 'Mr. Hedge' brought into Yarmouth 'about fifteen

gallons of liquors, ten pounds of powder, and half an hundred of lead,' and

on 19 September he brought in another ten gallons of liquor [PCR 4:28].

He imported more liquor and ammunition in 1663 [PCR 4:52].

"On 6 April 1674 'Quachattasett, sachem of Manomett [Chatham],' sold to

'Will Hedge or Webaquequan of Koomasabunkawitt' land at Breakheart

Hill [PCR] 12:226-27]; the grantee may have assumed the name of Mr.

William Hedge of Yarmouth."

There is a biography of William in Library of Cape Cod History ... #44. The

only additional information in it is "He brought suit in Essex county in

1637. (Pope 226) ... April 16,1640, he received 16 acres of meadow land

in Sandwich. (Plymouth Colony Records" 1:147-149) ... May 3, 1642, Mr.

Hedge of Yarmouth won a suit for 14 bushels of cord from Walter Devell.

(PCR 7:29, 30]. ... June 9, 1650, with Robert Dennis he was on a bond for

the appearance of John Besthope, and they were given till the next court

to produce him. ... Oct. 2, 1650, he was one of the plaintiffs in a suit

against William Nickerson. [PCR 50]. ... "

---

(Note: Though the following lists William Hedge's daughter, Sarah - as married to James Matthews - a very good case has been made that she was, instead, married to James' son, Thomas Matthews. The below lists James Matthews birth year as 1620 - but that seems unlikely - given the date of his immigration - and is more likely 1605 - the other birth year commonly listed - which would make him 40 years older than Sarah - not impossible - but much less likely).

William Hedge may have been born 27 Mar 1602 in Northampton, England. However if Elisha and Ann are indeed his parents it is more likely he was born born about 1612, probably in Middleton Cheney, Northamptonshire, England. His father, Elisha HEDGE Sr. was born ca. 1585 in Adston, Northamptonshire, England. His mother, Ann WARD, was born ca. 1590 in Middleton Cheney, Northamptonshire, England. William’s first wife is unknown. William emigrated in 1633 and was a resident of Lynn, Massachusetts Bay by 1634. He married his second wife, Blanche Hull, widow of Tristam Hull. According to his will, his wife Blanch “had dealt falsely with him in the covenant of marriage, and departed from him.” William died 11 Aug 1670 in Yarmouth, Plymouth Colony.

Blanche Hull was born between 1605 and 1614 in Northleigh, Devon, England. She first married Tristam Hull. Blanche died after 1670 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mass.

Children with first wife:

Name Born Married Departed 1. Tristham Hedge (Probably the son of Blanche from her first marriage) 7 May 1635 Lynn Mass. Anne Nickerson 20 Oct 1657 Boston After 28 Mar 1710 2. Abraham Hedge ca. 1640 Apr 1735 3. Elisha HEDGE ca. 1642 Mary STURGES 1660 in Yarmouth Mass. 17 May 1712/13 in Yarmouth 4. Sarah Hedge ca. 1645 James Mathews ca. 1668 16 Jan 1670 Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mas 5. Elizabeth Hedge 24 Feb 1648/49 Jonathan Barnes 4 Jan 1665/66 Plymouth 15 Dec 1731 – Plymouth, Mass 6. Mary Hedge 24 Feb 1648/49 Yarmouth Samuel Sturges (Mary’s brother and son of Edward STURGIS) ca. 1667 .
John Coggeshall Oct 1679 (As his third wife) 22 Aug 1731 Newport RI in her 83rd year. 7. William Hedge ca. 1651 Elizabeth Sturgis (Mary’s sister and daughter of Edward STURGIS) by 1682/83 15 Sep 1734 Bristol, Bristol, Rhode Island 8. John Hedge ca. 1653 Thankful [__?__] Apr 1679 Yarmouth, Mass 9. Elemuel Hedge ca. 1655 After his father’s will of 1670 10. Mercy Hedge ca. 1658 Capt. Elkanah Watson Bet. 1676-1677 .
John Freeman (son of Maj. John FREEMAN) Bef. Jul 1698 27 Sep 1721 Harwich, MA Abraham, John and Lemuel are mentioned in their father’s will, but there is no further record.

The Maternal Ancestry of Capt. William Hedge, Pioneer Settler of Lynn, Sandwich and Yarmouth, Mass. by John G. Hunt, Arlington, Va., NEHGR, 1957, Vol. 111, pg 319:

The Register, Vol 53, shows that Capt. William Hedge’s father, Elisha, was a son of Thomas Hedge of Adston, Northants, and London, whose will dated 1621 was proved 1623. The will of Captain Hedge’s uncle, Richard Ward, of Canons Ashby, Northants, mentions his (Richard’s mother, Frances Ward of Middleton Cheney, Northants.

The rare monograph* “Notes to Accompany a Pedigree of the Family of Ward of Middleton Cheney, etc., Northants” by J. T. H. du Boulay, 1890″ indicates that Wm. Hedge, supra was a son of Ann Ward and her husband Elisha Hedge, whom she married 12 July 1610 in Middleton Cheney. Ann had died by 1633. Elisha Hedge, supra, had a brother Abraham. It is significant that Captain Hedge of New England had sons Abraham and Elisha.

Du Boulay shows that Ann Ward’s mother Frances’s will dated 1633 and proved in 1635. Frances was the widow of Thomas Ward, baptized in Middleton Cheney in 1561, buried in 1613, “Thomas Ward, gent.” Thomas was the son of Richard Ward, buried in Middleton Cheney in 1585 by his wife Agnes. Richard was the son of Thomas Ward (will dated 1564, proved 1566) by his wife Emma.

• This monograph is not at the Bodleian or at the British Museum. Mr. J. B. Whitmore, continuator of Marshall’s “Index to British Pedigrees”, kindly furnished a copy, which is now preserved at the Library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, together with copies of the wills of the widow Frances Ward, and of the earliest Thomas Ward, supra. A copy of the pedigree is now at the Library of Congress.

ASSOCIATIONS:

Sister Brooks, mentioned in his will, is not otherwise named in Yarmouth records, but may be the “Rebecca Hedge, daughter of the said Elisha,” named in the will of Elisha’s father, Thomas Hedge, citizen and merchant tailor of London

TIME LINE: William Hedge is favorably mentioned by a soldier in the Pequot War (1634 – 1638), who served with him, as a gentleman, of Northamptonshire, England. He was several times captain of the military company in Yarmouth , a member of the grand inquest, and of the council of war. He lived near the old church in this town, now the post office.

14 May 1634 – Freeman at Lynn, Mass.

26 May 1637 -Participated in the Mystic Massacre. During the Pequot War, English settlers under Captain John Mason, and Narragansett and Mohegan allies set fire to a fortified Pequot village near the Mystic River. They shot any people who tried to escape the wooden palisade fortress and killed the entire village, consisting mostly of women and children, in retaliation for previous Pequot attacks. The only Pequot survivors were warriors who had been with their sachem Sassacus in a raiding party outside the village.

The Pequot were the dominant Native American tribe in central to eastern Connecticut. They had long competed with the neighboring Mohegan and Narragansett. The Pequot eventually allied with the Dutch, while the Mohegan and others allied with the British. European population growth led to greater land demands, leading to eventual conflict with indigenous populations.

The tensions erupted into the Pequot War when a trader named John Oldham was killed and his trading ship looted by natives suspected to be Pequot. Some retaliation raids by settlers and natives alike ensued, and Pequots responded in kin.

The Connecticut towns raised a militia commanded by Captain John Mason consisting of 90 men, plus 70 Mohegan under sachems Uncas and Wequash. Twenty more men, including William Hedge, under Captain John Underhill joined him at Fort Saybrook.

Mystic Village

The Pequot sachem Sassacus, meanwhile, gathered a few hundred warriors and set out to make another raid on Hartford, Connecticut.

A woodcut of the Mystic Massacre in 1637, commissioned by John Underhill, the co-commander of the English forces. Photo courtesy of the Mashantucket Pequot Musuem & Research Center

At the same time, Captain Mason recruited more than 200 Narragansett and Niantic warriors to join his attack force. On the night of May 26, 1637, the forces of English and Native American attackers arrived outside the palisade-surrounded Pequot village near the Mystic River, which had only two entrances/exits. The English attempted to attack the villagers by surprise, yet met with stiff Pequot resistance. Underhill gave the order to set the village on fire and block off the exits. The Pequot were trapped inside. Those who tried climbing over the palisade were shot; anyone who succeeded in getting over was killed by the Narrangasett forces.

Mystic Massacre in Pequot War

A Brief History of the Pequot War Page 9 – The Fire was kindled on the North East Side to windward; which did swiftly over-run the Fort, to the extream Amazement of the Enemy, and great Rejoycing of our selves. Some of them climbing to the Top of the Palizado; others of them running into the very Flames; many of them gathering to windward, lay pelting at us with their Arrows; and we repayed them with our small Shot: Others of the Stoutest issued forth, as we did guess, to the Number of Forty, who perished by the Sword.

In reference to Captain Underhill and his Parties acting in this Assault, I can only intimate as we were informed by some of themselves immediately after the Fight, Thus They Marching up to the Entrance on the South West Side, there made some Pause; a valiant, resolute Gentleman, one Mr. HEDGE, stepping towards the Gate, saying, If we may not Enter, wherefore came we hear; and immediately endeavoured to Enter; but was opposed by a sturdy Indian which did impede his Entrance: but the Indian being slain by himself and Serjeant Davis, Mr. Hedge Entred the Fort with some others; but the Fort being on Fire, the Smoak and Flames were so violent that they were constrained to desert the Fort.

28 Mar 1637 – In Essex Quarter Court, “Wm. Hedg” had a suit against Ensign Walker and Mr. Edward Tomlins, both of the latter being early settlers of Lynn. Savage includes this note in his account of William Hedge: “A soldier in the Pequot war, with this surname, whose name of baptism is not found, either in Vincent, Underhill, or Mason, the narrators, who served with him, is very well mentioned and the first writer (who probably spoke with confidence), calls him a gentleman of Northamptonshire]. All the particulars of this description fit William Hedges of Lynn, Sandwich and Yarmouth.

1638 and Later – Styled gentleman and Mr. in the records

5 Nov 1638 – “William Edge, gent.,” assigned to Thomas Prence ” for 12 pounds sterling all his right and interest in the service of Robert Wickson due him in an indenture.

4 Dec 1638 – “Mr. Hedge” was one of eleven Sandwich men presented at Plymouth court “for keeping swine unringed”. Sandwich was settled in 1637 by a group from Saugus with the permission of the Plymouth Colony. It was named for the seaport of Sandwich, Kent, England. It is the oldest town on Cape Cod.

Sandwich was the site of an early Quaker settlement. However, the settlement was not well-received, as their beliefs clashed with those of the Puritans who founded the town. Many Quakers left the town, either for further settlements along the Cape, or elsewhere. Early industry revolved around agriculture, with fishing and trading also providing for the town.

16 Apr 1640 – Received 14 acres of meadow in Sandwich

Map of Old Yarmouth 1644 - Our Ancestors 13 Thomas Howes, 5 Edmund Hawes, 10 Edward Sturges and 9 William Hedge were pioneers in Yarmouh, Mass on Cape Cod. Unfortunately, I can't quite make out the numbers on this map. Do you have better eyes?

3 May 1642 – Among those between 16 and 60 able to bear arms in Yarmouth.

1643 – Had a controversy with Richard Hore of Yarmouth about 6 acres formerly given to the Church. It was decided that the Church was to hold the land and Hedge might sue him or them that sold him the same.

6 Mar 1648/49 – “Mr. William Hedge, of the town of Yarmouth,” was presented for “letting an Indian have a gun, and powder, and shot,” and “the wife of Mr. Hedge, of Yarmouth,” was presented “for receiving of stolen goods”

6 Mar 1649/50 – “Mr. William Hedge, of Yarmouth,” successfully sued Robert Nash of Boston over cattle. Awarded 8 pounds.

1650 – Constable in Yarmouth

9 Jun 1650 – With Robert Dennis, he was on a bond for the appearance of John Besthope and they were given until the next court to produce him.

2 Oct 1650 – On of the plaintiffs in a suit against William Nickerson (Father-in-law of his daughter Ann)

5 Oct 1652 – “William Hedge, of Yarmouth,” was presented “for selling wine and strong waters without license”.

21 Feb 1652/53 – Sworn as one of the jurors to lay lout a way from Sandwich to Plymouth and on the 27th he signed their report.

9 Jun 1653 – Approved as Ensign Bearer of the military company of Yarmouth.

7 Aug 1655 – Ordered to exercise the military company.

2 Oct 1658 – Appointed to Council of War

2 Oct 1658 – “Mr. William Hedge being presented for threatening to have the blood of Edward Sturgis, upon some small difference betwixt them, the Court do censure him to pay to the country’s use the sum of ten shillings”

2 Aug 1659 – Approved as Captain of the military company of Yarmouth.

9 Aug 1662 – “Mr. Hedge” brought into Yarmouth “about fifteen gallons of liquors, ten pounds of powder, and half an hundred of lead,” and on 19 September he brought in another ten gallons of liquor. He imported more liquor and ammunition in 16

An invoice of liquors brought into Yarmouth during the year 1663, will give some idea of the extent of the drinking habits of the times :

” A Note of the particulars of the Liquors that have been brought into the town of Yarmouth, since May 1663, and envoiced.

Item, Mr. HEDGE a quarter cask of liquors. Item, Samuel Sturgis 10 gallons. Item, Edward STURGIS, Sr. 10 gallons. Item, Edward Sturgis, Jr. 10 gallons. Item, Elisha HEDGE, 10 gallons. Item, Mr. Hedge, 10 gallons and 5 cases. Item, Mr. Thacher, 3 cases. Mr. Hedge, Edw. Sturgis, Sr. and Sam’l Sturgis, 17 gallons. Nathaniel Covell, 10 gallons. Teague Jones, 10 gallons envoiced, and one case forfeit to the country. Richard Michell, 10 gallons.

Anthony Thacher, Robert Dennis.”

6 Apr 1674 – “Quachattasett, sachem of Manomett [Chatham],” sold to “Will Hedge or Webaquequan of Koomasabunkawitt” land at Breakheart Hill ; the grantee may have assumed the name of Mr. William Hedge of Yarmouth.

Abstract of The Earliest Wills in the Probate Office, Plymouth as communicated by Mr. Justin Winsor, NEHGR, 1853, Vol 7, pg 235:WM HEDGE, (Yarmouth)

Will. To sons Abraham, Elisha, William, John, Elemuel; to daughters Sarah Matthews, Elizabeth Barnes, Mary Sturgis, and Mercy Hedge; to sister and brother Brooks. His wife Blanch “had dealt falsely with him in the covenant of marriage, and departed from him.” He gave her 12d. 30 June 1670 Witnesses: Mathew Fuller, John Gray, John Davis. Inventory 487 pounds 16. 0.

In his will, dated 30 June 1670 and proved 11 August 1670,

“William Hedge Senior in Yarmouth … being weak of body” bequeathed to “my beloved son Abraham Hedge this now my dwelling house with all the household stuff … and all my land that belongeth to my dwelling house, and also all my lands, both upland and meadow that I have in the Prime Field”;

to “my beloved son Elisha Hedge my neck of land and meadows belonging thereunto provided that he pay his brother, my son William, £5″;

to “my beloved son William £40 in debts and my best suit of clothes and my best hat”;

to “my beloved son John £50 and my next suit of clothes and my brass musket and my rapier and belt and two mares and two colts”;

to “my beloved son Elemuell £50 and two mares and two colts”;

to “my beloved daughter Sarah Mathews” £5;

to “my beloved daughter Elizabeth Barnes” £5;

to “my beloved daughter Mary Sturgis” £40;

to “my beloved daughter Marcye” £50;

“to my beloved sister Brookes £30 that is of mine in Virginia that is due to me from Brother Brookes, deceased, likewise it is my mind and will that my sister Brookes shall have her livelihood amongst my children so long as she continues a widow”;

“my beloved son Elisha” sole executor; “my beloved friends Mr. Thomas Thornton, Mr. Edmond Hawes and Richard Tayler” overseers; “whereas Blanch, my wife, hath dealt falsely with me in the covenant of marriage in departing from me, therefore I do in this my last will … give her 12d. and also what I have received of hers my will is shall be returned to her again” [ MD 18:252, citing PCPR 3:20].

Administration on the estate of “Captain Will[i]am Hedge lately deceased” was granted to Elisha Hedge on 11 August 1670 [PCR 5:47]. The inventory of the estate of “Captain William Hedge of Yarmouth late deceased” was taken 15 July 1670 and totalled £487 16s., including no real estate

Yarmouth July 15, 1670 Plymouth Colony Wills 3:21 #P183

A true Inventory of the estate of the deceased Capt: William hedge of yarmouth Late deceased; as it was apprised this 15th day of Iuly Anno: 1670) and exhibited to the Court (or meeting of the Magestrates of this Jurisdiction held att Plymouth for that purpose; the 11th day of August 1670) as followeth;

Impr: his wearing Clothes 18 06 00 Item a Rapior and belt 1li 15s a brasse muskett 3li 10s 05 05 00 Item in Cash 06 00 00

[in the margin] in the Parlour Item furniture in the Parlour bedsteed Curtains and beding 19 05 00 Item the Great Table and ten formes 2li 10s: 1 Chaire & Cushen 8s 00 18 00 Item 4 yards of Course linnin stuffe: linine yarne 1 firken and sugar and one paire of stilliyards 00 16 00 Item 5 sheets 2li 9s 1 Tablecloth 10s Tablelinnine 1li 3s pillowbears 5s and one paire of bootes 05 12 00 Item 4 old Caske 8s: 2 sythes: Ringe and wedge: 5s 3lb of feathers 00 16 00 Item in the kitchen: 1 paire of pothangers 5s 1 Iron kettle & hooke 8s 00 13 00 Item 1 paire of andjrons & a gridjron 18s 1 skumer: 3s 1 Iarr: 1s 1 shouell and pitchforke 5s 01 07 00 Item pewter 4li 16s 06d tining ware 5s one brasse skillett 7s 1 warming pan 11s 05 01 00

[in the margin:] In the Leantoo Item 1 spitt: 1 frying pan: 6s 8 traies: 4s 1 sickle: 1 hammar; a morter & pestell 00 12 04 Item 2 brasse kettles 3li 4s 1 Iron kettle 13s barrells & tubbs & Cherne 05 01 00

[in the margin] In the kitchen Chamber Item 1 bed: 2 bolsters 3 blanketts 1 old Rugge 00 14 00 Item 1 seifting trough 3s 1 linnine wheel: 4s 6d 00 07 06 Item in Rye and Indian Corne on the Ground 06 00 00 Item 6 barrells of salt 3li Cart & wheeles & plow and yeake & pine & Copps 05 00 00 Item 2 hoes 2 axes 1 Chaine 00 17 00 Item 2 oxen 10li 3 Cowes & 1 Calfe 8li 2 heiffers 1 steer 5li 10s 13 10 00 Item 4 mare & 4 Colts 18 00 00 Item in debts due to the Captaine 288 04 00 Item in desparate debts 040 00 00 ———- suma totalis 487 16 00 ———-

Elisha hedge Conceiueth; there is a barrell of Porke more due to the estate in the hands of Joseph hollott Shoomaker And a bill of ten shillings due from William Griffith;

Item the Captaine is debtor (as we find) to the sume of 16 00 00

By vs Thomas howes John Thacher;

Children

Several of the marriages of the children of William Hedges are difficult to substantiate, and this is in part a consequence of the connections with the Sturgis family, which is very poorly documented. In his will William Hedges named a daughter Mary Sturgis, and she is identified as wife of Samuel Sturgis principally because there is no other available Sturgis with wife Mary; in addition, Mr. Elisha HEDGE is one of those who was supposed to assist the widow Mary Sturgis in settling the estate of Samuel Sturgis [PCR 5:160]. Most sources claim that Elisha and William Hedges married Mary and Elizabeth Sturgis, but there is no direct evidence for this, and the known marriage of Mary Sturgis to one of the sons of Edward Sturgis is sufficient to explain other associations between the two families

1. Tristam Hedge

Tristham was probably the son of Blanche from her first marriage to Tristham Hull.

Tristham’s wife Anne Nickerson was born 7 May 1635 – Norwich, Norfolk, England and was baptized at St. Peters Permontergate, Norfolk, England. Her parents were William Nickerson and Ann Busby. Anne died 26 Nov 1680 – Monomoit (Chatham), Plymouth colony

The marriage at Boston on 20 December 1657 of Tristram Hedges and Anne Nickerson is an intriguing one. William Hedges did not have a son Tristram, but his second wife was widow of Tristram Hull. Although the marriage took place in Boston, Anne Nickerson was daughter of William Nickerson of Chatham, and therefore a near neighbor of William Hedges on Cape Cod. This conjunction of names may be mere coincidence, but deserves further investigation.

2. Abraham Hedge

Abraham was sued by Francis Baker, 27 October 1680, no further record

3. Elisha HEDGE (See his page)

4. Sarah Hedge

Sarah’s husband James Mathews was born 1620 in Pby Tewksbury, Gloucestershire, England. James died 1668 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Mas

5. Elizabeth Hedge

Elizabeth’s husband Jonathan Barnes was born 3 Jun 1643 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Mass. His parents were John Barnes and Mary Plummer. Jonathan died 20 Aug 1714 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Mass.

6. Mary Hedge

Mary’s first husband Samuel Sturges was born about 1640. Her parents were Edward STURGIS and Elizabeth HINCKLEY. Samuel died 3 Nov 1674 The inventory of his will is an interesting slice of life.

Mary’s second husband John Coggeshall was born 1618 in Halstead, Essex, England. He first married 17 Jun 1647 in Newport, Portsmouth, Rhode Island to Elizabeth Baulstone (b. Aug 1629 in Portsmouth – d. 1 Oct 1700 in Portsmouth). Second he married Dec 1655 in Newport, Newport, Rhode Island to Patience Throckmorton (b. 1640 in Monmouth, New Jersey – d. 7 Sep 1676 in Newport). Third he married 1 Oct 1679 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island to Mary Hedge. John died 1 Oct 1708

The following escapade contributed to Samuel’s father losing his liquor license. Early in the 1663 a party of residents of Yarmouth n indulged in an escapade quite in conflict with the customs of the times, and their names subsequently appeared in the court records, which inform posterity that “Josias Hallet and Thomas Starr of Yarmouth went to the house of John Doane, Jr., at Eastham, and finding no one at home, behaved themselves uncivilly therein, ransacking the house for liquors, and drinking thereof, and writing and setting up in the house a libellous and scandalous paper of verses and leaving them there. Elisha HEDGE and Samuel Sturgis were also deemed guilty, in some degree, though not so deeply as the former.” The two first were ordered to find sureties, for their good behavior until the next court and pay each a fine of fifty shillings ; the two latter to find sureties and pav each a fine of thirty shillings.

In 1703, John Thacher, Jeremiah HOWES, Samuel Sturgis, Joseph Hall and Peter Thacher were appointed a committee to “seat persons in the meeting-house,” a matter which seemed frequently to require rectification and re-adjustment.

Will of son Samuel Sturgis – 13 Jan 1674 in Yarmouth, Plymouth Colony. Our ancestorsEdmond HAWES Mary STURGIS and John FREEMAN witnessed the will. L100 meaning £100. Shillings are written as 10s = 10 shillings, and pence as 11d = eleven pence. 11 15 00 means 11 pounds, 15 shillings and no pence. There are twelve pence to a shilling, twenty shillings to a pound.

THE INVENTORY OF SAMUEL STURGIS An Inventory of the Goods Chattles and lands of Samuell Sturgis deceased the third day of Nouember 1674; exhibited to the Court held att Plymouth in October 1674 and ordered to be Recorded To 5 Cowes 11 15 00 To 6 hoggs 06 10 00 To 6 shootes 6s a peece 01 16 00 To 3 thousand of shingle nailes 10s feathers 3s 00 13 00 To a spining wheel 4s to old Caske 5s 00 09 00 To two beds and one bolster 8li 1 Grosse of Pipes 08 04 00 To his wearing apparrell and Cash 36li 36 00 00 To a horse bridle saddle scarffe Cutlas bookes horse peece pistollsholsters Brest Gert 10 00 00 To eight paire of sheets and one odd sheet 10 11 00 To two boulsters a bed and bolster and 1 paire of sheets 6 150 To an Iron Kettle halfe a bushell of Rye and a Caske 11 14 06 To an Iron pott pothookes and a skillett 00 10 00 To a Great Brasse Kettle 28s and another Kettle 02 02 0 To a brasse skillett and a brasse Candlesticke 5s 00 05 00 To a seifting trough 2s a belmettle skillet 6s 00 08 00 To Tubbs and barrel 8s a frying pan 2s a spitt 3s 00 13 00Toa paire of Tonggs and fier shouell 4s and a warming pan 00 14 00 To 4 Chairs 9s a Cradle 2s 6d a little Table 4s 6d 00 16 00 To a Great Table 15s and 2 Cedar Chests 13s 6d 01 08 06 To two trunkes att 8s a peece and a lookeing Glasse 01 02 00 To two bookes 6s a deske 1s 6d a Cushen 1s 00 08 6 To a smoothing Iron 3s 6d and 2 basketts 1 6d 00 04 06 To a Cubbert 2 pound and a Chest 30s 03 10 0 To andjrons Gridjron and pothangers 01 02 0 To a diaper Table Cloth 12 napkins & a towell 01 15 00 To ten homade Napkins 19s and fiue Napkins 8s 01 13 00 To a pillowbeer 7s 6d by 3 fine pillow beers 15s 01 02 06 To Cradle pillowes 8s and to pillow Cases 4s 00 12 00 To a Table Cloth 3s 6d to a Rugg 15 00 18 06 To a paire of New Bilbo blanetts 01 03 00 To a blankett 9s Curtains bedsted and a Coard 4li 16s 05 0500 To a blankett and Rugg 33s bedsted and Cord 22s 02 15 00 To a paire of Curtaines 2 sheep 7s a peece 01 09 00 To pewter and tining ware 02 00 06 To two meale seiues 2s 10 trenchers 16d 00 03 4 To a trundle bedsted and Cord 5s 00 05 00 To earthen ware 1s to an axe 3 00 04 00 To a new Rugg 24s and eight yards of dowlis 03 10 00 To 2 felt hatts 13s 6d 13 06 To silke Gallone and Ribbanding 18s 00 18 00 To Cheese 10s To a Chest locke 1s 8d 00 11 06 To 3 pound of stocken yearne 6s 00 06 00 To a New bridle 4s to parte of a boate 11li 11 04 00 To about 350 posts and Railes 03 12 00 To 2324 foote of deale board 06 19 00 To housing vpland and meddow 110 00 00 To 10lb of linnine yearne 18d per pound 00 15 00 To 6 pound of Cotton yearne 18d per pound 00 09 00 _______________ 265 10 03 _______________ To a pillion 5s To a sea Chest 7s 00 12 0 To 16 pound of butter att 6d per pound 00 08 00 To 19 bushells of Barly att 3s per bushell 02 17 00 To 19 yards of homade Cloth att 3s 6d per yard 03 03 06 To parte of a paire of stilliyards & Scales 00 08 00To 100 acrees of land and meddow land belonging to it beyond the herring [riuer?] 11 00 00 To Creditt to him on booke and bills 126 06 11 Creditt to him by Indian debts 18 15 07 To an heiffer and 3 sheep 02 11 00 _______________ 166 05 1 _______________ wee find Samuell Sturgis Indebted att Boston 04 12 03

Taken by vs Edmond HAWES Iudah Thacher Mary Sturgis made oath to the truth of this Inventory the 30th of the 3th month 1675 before mee Iohn FREEMAN Assistant; Plymouth Colony Wills, vol. III, p. 16

7. William Hedge Jr.

William’s wife Elizabeth Sturgis was born 20 Apr 1648 in Sandwich, Mass. Her parents were Edward STURGIS and Elizabeth HINCKLEY. Elizabeth died xx.

In 1697 John Thacher, Thomas Sturgis, and William Hedge were granted leave to set up a windmill on the commons, to use one acre of land, for the site, the mill not to be rated.

8. John Hedge

John was including in his father’s will of 1670. His wife’s name was Thankful. 9. Elemuel Hedge

After his father’s will of 1670

10. Mercy Hedge

Mercy’s parents died when she was still under age and in On 4 July 1673 the court at Plymouth Colony; authorized Lt. Thomas Howes of Yarmouth, son of our ancestor Thomas HOWES as Guardian of “Marcye Hedge” [Mercy Hedges].

Mercy’s first husband Elkanah Watson was born 25 FEB 1655/56 Plymouth, Mass. His parents were George Watson and Phebe Hicks. Elkanah died in a shipwreck off the shore of Boston on Feb 8, 1690. According to Savage, he was drowned in company with the second Edward Doty and his son John, by shipwreck. on the Gurnet’s Nose, in a passage from his Boston home.

Mercy’s second husband John Freeman was born 2 DEC 1651 Eastham, Mass. His parents were Maj. John FREEMAN and Mercy PRENCE. John died 21 JUL 1721 Harwich, Barnstable, Mass.

Mercy Hedge Watson Freeman Headstone

HERE LYES Ye BODY OF Mrs MARCY FREEMAN WIFE TO Mr JOHN FREEMAN DEC’D SEPT Ye 27th 1721 IN Ye 63D YEAR OF HER AGE

Sources:

http://capecodhistory.us/genealogy/wellfleet/Names179.htm#HEDGE

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/a/h/John-B-Kaherl/BOOK...

Sturgis – http://jwebber.tripod.com/pafdata/pafg148.htm#2778

A Brief History of the Pequot War (1736) (PDF – Digital Commons)

Captain William Hedge of Yarmouth – By James W Hawes 1911 – Google Books

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/a/h/John-B-Kaherl/BOOK...

History of old Yarmouth. Comprising the present towns of Yarmouth and Dennis. From the settlement to the division in 1794 with the history of both towns to these times (1884) Author: Swift, Charles Francis

http://capecodhistory.us/genealogy/wellfleet/Names179.htm#HEDGE