Richard SPARROW

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 19 Nov 1660

Notes:

Excerpt from "Genealogical Records: Pilgrim Genealogies and Histories": Certain members of the Sparrow family of England owned shares in the Virginia Company, and were probably among the early planters of Jamestown, but had become discouraged about conditins in that settlement previous to 1630, therefore, it is not surprising to find Richard Sparrow, his wife and son Jonathan residents of Plymouth as early as 1632.

Excerpt from "Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines":
Richard Sparrow, with his wife Pandora (?) and son Jonathan, emigrated from England and became a resident of Plymouth, Massachusetts, as early as 1632. In 1633 he became a freeman; in that year, as well as in the following one, he paid a tax of nine shillings; in 1640 he appointed to view the meadows; and from 1640 to 1653 he was a surveyor of highways at least seven times. He must have displayed either a special fitness or an especial likeing for jury service for he is found to have assisted in the deliberations of twenty-eight diferent juries between 1640 and 1658; he was also on five grand juries and on two coroners' juries. He held the position of constable in 1640 and 1641, was one of the receivers of "Exsise" in 1650, and was the recipient of seven or more tracts of land between 1636 and 1642.

Name:
Richard Sparrow was in Plymouth as early as 1633. In 1638, he had forty acres of land granted him on the north end of Fresh lake. The same year he was one of those who investigated the cause of the death of John England, whose body had been found upon the flats about Plymouth. In 1639 he was one of the grand jurors for Plymouth; and is mentioned as having taken a fatherless girl as an "apprentice" for nine years, her former friend and stepfather consenting. The same year, he is reported as having had four steers sold him, by John Barnes, which were being wintered at Yarmouth, where they were to be delivered. In 1640, he was a constable and surveyor at Plymouth, and had meadow granted him at that place. In 1643, he was a grand juror, and in 1647 a surveyor at Plymouth, In 1650 he was a resident in that town, and had a cow stolen by one called in the record Thomas Sherne. He was in Eastham in 1655, and a surveyor. In 1656 he represented Eastham in the colony court, showing that after so short a residence the good people of Nausett had full confidence in his abilities, and that they were willing to entrust him with official honors. In 1657, with John Doane, Josiah cooke, Richard Higgins, and John Smalley, he had land granted him between Bridgewater and Weymouth. The same year, with Thomas Clark, the accommodation of Mr. Prence, who had been chosen governor, and from court, while he had his home in Nausett. He was a surveyor in 1658, and a grand juror in 1659. He died at Eastham, "the 8th of Jan. in the year one thousand six hundred and sixty" say the Eastham records. His will was made Nov. 9, 1660, and presented at Plymouth march 5, 1660/1. It was witnessed by Samuel Freeman and Josiah Cooke. He mentions wife Pandora, son Jonathan, granddaughters Priscilla and Rebecca, and a grandson, John Sparrow. He gave to the church at Eastham, "one ewe sheep," which his executors were to dispose of to the best advantage. He gave his place, etc., to his wife during her life, and at her decease, to his son Jonathan. this place was situated in the present town of Eastham, near the old burying-ground of the first settlers. A Short time after his death, the mother and son sold out to Mr. Thomas Crosby, the religious teacher, and removed to the highlands of Porchet, within what is now called East Orleans, where the son Jonathan had made several purchases. Here the widow, it is supposed, lived until her death. He had a son but not daughters to survive him. the son, Captain Jonathan Sparrow, was a prominent man in Eastham.

Family/Spouse: Pandora ?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Excerpt from Genealogical Records: Pilgrim genealogies and Histories": Jonathan held numerous public offices, including that of school master, and acted as an attorney for townsmen. He was a deputy at 19 sessions of the Colonial Court, and commanded a troop of horse. He left a will, and much land.

Name:
Jonathan Sparrow son of Richard and Pandora Sparrow was born in England, and died at Eastham on 21 March 1706/7. On 28 October 1654 he married for his first wife, Rebecca, who was born at Plymouth about 1635, and died at Eastham, Massachusetts before 1667. She was the daughter of Edward Bangs. Jonathan's second wife was Hannah Prence, widow of Nathaniel Mayo and they were married after 5 June 1667 and probably before 1669.

Jonathan Sparrow was a Lieutenant in Captain John Gorham's company in the Narragansett fight during King Philip's War being promoted from Ensign on 4 October 1675. His heirs received a share in Narragansett Township No. 7 now Gorham, Maine for his services then. By 6 June 1677, he was a Captain, which commission was renewed in October 1689. He became a freeman in June 166 although he was listed as a legal voter in Eastham as early as May 1655. He moved with his parents to Eastham and thereafter took an active part in town affairs being Deputy to the General Court at Plymouth at least 19 years and later for at least eight years representative to the General Court at Boston. He acquired much land and in a deed by his heirs dated 5 October 1708, children and grandchildren are mentioned.

Jonathan Sparrow's will was dated 10 March 1706/7 and was probated on 3 April 1707. Jonathan and Rebecca had six children of whom the oldest was REBECCA, who was born at Eastham, Massachusetts, on 30 October 1655, and died on 17 February 1740. She married THOMAS FREEMAN on 31 December 1673. Jonathan and Hannah Sparrow's daughter PATIENCE was born at Eastham, Massachusetts, about 1670, and died at Harwich, Massachusetts on 25 October 1745. She married JOSEPH PAINE on 27 May 1691. Jonathan Sparrow married Sarah (Lewis) Cobb, widow of James Cobb on 23 November 1698 for his third wife.

Jonathan married Rebecca BANGS on 28 Oct 1654 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Rebecca (daughter of Edward BANGS and Rebecca HOBART) was born about 1635/6 in Plymouth, Massachusetts; died before 1667 in Eastham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Hannah PRENCE between 05 Jun 1667 and 11 Sep 1671 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Hannah (daughter of Gov. Thomas PRENCE and Patience BREWSTER) was born before 12 Dec 1634 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; died before 23 Nov 1698 in Eastham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Sarah LEWIS on 23 Nov 1698 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. Sarah was born on 02 Feb 1643 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts; died on 11 Feb 1735 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]