John ALDEN

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1599, England
• Death: 12 Sep 1687, Duxbury
• Fact: 13 Jun 1688, Settlement of Estate

Notes:

Excerpt from Connecticut, 1600s-1800s Local Families and Histories: "John Alden, immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1599. He joined the Pilgrims on the "Mayflower" at Southampton as the ship was on its way to America. When the ship stopped there for supplies, he was hired as cooper. He had not been with them at Leyden, and was probably not a member of the independent church, but soon joined. He cast his fortunes with the Pilgrims, after enduring the hardships of that first terrible winter at Plymouth, when so many died. He was doubtless influenced in this decision by his love for Priscilla Mullens, th story of which, with some embellishments, is told in the " Courtship of Miles Standish." She was the daughter of William Mullens, who came on the "Mayflower" with his family. John an Priscella were married in the spring of 1621. When the common property of the cololy was divided in 1627, Alden went with Captain Standish, Elder Brewster, John Howland, Francis Eaton and Peter Brown, to Mattakeeset, the Indian name of the territory now included in Duxbury, Marshfield, Pembroke, Hanson and Bridgewater, Massachusetts. For several years they were obliged to return to Plymouth during the winer season to combine all their forces against the possible Indian attacks. The residence at Plymouth in the winter also gave them an opportunity to attend worship, and the records show a written agreement of Alden and others in 1632 to remove their families to Plymouth in the winter. In 1633 Alden was appiointed assistant to the governor, an office which he held for nearly the whole of the remainder of his life, serving with Edward Winslow, Josiah Winslow, Bradford, Prince and Thomas Hinckley. From 1666 until his death, he held the office of first assistant, was often called the deputy governor, and was many times acting governor in the absence of the governor. From 1640 to 1650 he was also deputy to the colonial council from Duxbury...... He was one of the council of war, many times an arbitrator, a surveyor of lands for the government as well as for individuals, and on several important occasions was authorized to act as agent or attorney for the colony. He was possessed of a sound judgment and of talents which, though not brilliant, were by no means ordinary........

John married Priscilla MULLINS in 1621. Priscilla (daughter of William MULLINS and Alice ?) was born about 1602; died between 01 Dec 1680 and 12 Sep 1687 in Duxbury. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: Bef 1626, Plymouth
• Fact: 1648, Freeman at Boston
• Will: 17 Feb 1701
• Death: 14 May 1702

Notes:

Excerpt from "Mayflower Increasings": Capt. John Alden was a distinguished and respected citizen, having lived in Boston for over 30 years. He was an experienced mariner and had served as a naval commander. As a military officer he had served in the French and Indian wars and as late as 1690 served as commissioner in conducting negotiations with the natives. Imagine his amazement to find himself before the Salem magistrates, 31 May 1692, "upon the accusation of a company of poor distracted or possessed creatures or witches" on a charge of witchcraft! He was interrogated for many hours, during which time his sword was taken from him (he was accused of using it to afflict his accusers) and he was further degraded by one accuser who states, "he sells powder and shot to the Indians and French, and lies with the Indian squaws, and has Indian papooses". The evidence against him? During the interrogation he was said to pinch his accusers, strike them down with his look, and heal them with his touch. Capt. Alden was taken to Boston jail where he was held in custody for fifteen weeks and, in his own words,"....and then, observing the manner of trials, and evidence then taken, was at length prevailed with to make his escape". He made his escape about the middle of September and it was probable just in time as soon after this nine of the accused were executed. Alden probably made his way to Duxbury where relatives and friends hid him, but his experience was not yet over. In April 1693 when it appeared the witchcraft hysteria was over and people were coming to their senses, Alden turned himself in and was bound over to the Superior Court at Boston the last Tuesday of Apr. 1693. When no one came forward to prosecute, he and 150 others were released. The judicial proceedings were finally over, at the expense of 20 innocent lives.

John married Elizabeth PHILLIPS on 01 Apr 1660. Elizabeth was born before 1640; died on 07 Feb 1695/6; was buried on 07 Feb 1695/6. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth ? before 1658. Elizabeth died in Dec 1659. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1624, Plymouth, Massachusetts
• Fact: 1659, Admitted a Freeman
• Will: 14 Dec 1696
• Will Proved: 10 Mar 1697

Notes:

Name:
He married, perhaps about 1660, Mary Simmons, daughter of Moses and Sarah (?) Simmons/Simonson, born say about 1641 (her children born in the 1660's and 1670's); died after 10 March 1696/7, when named co-executor of Joseph's estate; sister of John Simmons who married Mercy Pabodie and of Rebecca Simmons who married John Soule, son of Mayflower passenger George Soule. Moses Simmons, in his will dated 17 June 1689 and proved 15 September 1691, bequeathed to "my daughter Mary, the wife of Joseph Alden L4". Moses Simmons came to Plymouth on the Fortune, 9 November 1621.

By a deed dated 1 April 1679, acknowledged 14 April 1679, but not recorded until 10 April 1700, his father "in consideration of love and natural affection: conveyed to Joseph Alden my true & natural son all that my share of land...within the township of Bridgewater" (Plymouth Co LR, 3:194). Joseph and Mary Alden sold land near the Gurnet's nose to Jonathan Alden, 2 September 1684 (Plymouth Col LR, 6:52).

Joseph Alden was on the list of men from Duxbury between 16 and 60 able to bear arms August 1643, but his name is interlined and may have been added a few years after the fact (PCR, 8:189). Joseph, with his brother Jonathan, was admitted a freeman of Plymouth Colony on 3 June 1657. He served on Grand Juries in 1660, 1666, and 1685; and on a jury to "lay out all ways in Bridgewater" in 1667. he was a surveyor of highways in Bridgewater, in 1669, 1679 and 1685.

At the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas held in September 1686, Joseph Alden of Plymouth was freed from military training "for bodily infirmity".

The will of Joseph Alden, Sr., of the town of Bridgewater, dated 14 December 1696, proved 10 March 1696/7, was witnessed by Pallatiah Smith, Thomas Delano, and Joseph hayward. It mentions his son Isaac (50 acres which he lives upon; 10 acres of swamp, out of which he was to allow Joseph 3 acres; 2 acres of upland "which he hath taken up in liew of the upland belonging to Coasters kitchen meadows"; 1 acre of meadow at Byrams Hole "which he hath hitherto Enjoyed"; half meadow lot in Byrams Hole; and half of 60 acres between Byrams Hole and the sawmill); son Joseph (land where he lives "of which have already given him Assurance by written Deed"; and 20 acres lying on the Great River below Goodman Bayleys land); sons Joseph and John together (10 acres to be equally divided between them); wife Mary (homestead plus 10 acres on the Plaine; 2 acre woodlots on the left hand of the way to Thomas Washbourn's; and all moveables to dispose of as she saw fit); son John (use and improvement of the homestead "for his and my wife's Comfort during her life time" then to entirely to to John; 60 acres near the sawmill; and half the lot of meadow at Byrams Hole); and three sons Isaac, Joseph and John (all his right in the Majors Purchase and the undivided lands to be equally divided among them). Executors were his wife Mary and son John. The inventory of the moveable estate, amounting to L76, was taken 3 march 1696/7 by John Leonard, Joseph Snow and Samuel Allin, Jr., and it stated that he died 8 February 1696/7. It was presented to John Alden on 10 March 1696/7. (Plymouth Co PR, #138, 1:256-57' MD, 671-74).

A "Genealogical Letter" written by John Alden at Middleborough on 14 April 1801 states: My grandfather whose name he thought was John) had three sons and three daughters who were married . . . The daughter's names I cannot relate. . . Two of the daughters married into the family of Snow of Bridgewater . . .the other married a Burrill of Weymouth" (MD, 6:110-11).

Joseph Snow, Jr., of Bridgewater sold on 28 May 1726 to Capt. John Field, 2/3 purchase right in the seven great shares in Bridgewater and 1/3 of the 32nd lot on the Buckhil (Brickiln) Plain which fell to Joseph Alden deceased and nine acres in Snells Meadow part of the lot of Joseph Edson deceased; acknowledged 20 March 1726 (Plymouth Co LR, 21:199)/

Joseph married Mary SIMMONS about 1665. Mary was born about 1641; died after 10 Mar 1696/7. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From "Mayflower Increasings": eath NOtice in the Boston News-Letter, issue of 17 June 1717: "Little Compton, May 31. This morning died here Mrs. Elizabeth Paybody late wife of Mr. william Paybody in the 93rd year of her age. She was the daughter of John Alden, Esq: and Priscilla his Wife Daughter of Mr. William Mullins. This John Alden and Priscilla Mullins were Married at Plymouth in New-England where their Daughter Elizabeth was born. She was Exemplarily Vertuous and Pious and her Memory is blessed: Has left a very numerous Posterity: Her Granddaughter Bradford is a Grand-mother."

Elizabeth married William PABODIE on 26 Dec 1644 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts. William (son of John PABODIE and Isabell HARPER) was born about 1620 in England; died on 13 Dec 1707 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: Bef 1632
• Fact: 03 Mar 1697, Inventory of estate
• Fact: 07 Jan 1703, Settlement of Estate

Jonathan married Abigail HALLETT on 10 Dec 1672 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Abigail (daughter of Andrew HALLET and Anne BERSE) was born about 1645; died on 17 Aug 1725 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Alexander STANDISH after 07 Mar 1655. Alexander (son of Capt. Myles STANDISH and Barbara ?) was born about 1626 in Plymouth, Massachusetts; died on 06 Jul 1702 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

David married Mary SOUTHWORTH before 1667. Mary (daughter of Constant SOUTHWORTH and Elizabeth COLLIER) was born about 1650; died between 28 Mar 1718 and 01 Apr 1719. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married John BASS on 03 Feb 1657 in Braintree, Massachusetts. John was christened on 18 Sep 1630 in Saffron Walden, Essex, England; died on 12 Sep 1716 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: Bef 13 Jun 1688, Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts

Rebecca married Thomas DELANO before 30 Oct 1667 in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Thomas (son of Philip DE LA NOYE and Hester DEWSBURY) was born on 21 Mar 1642 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; died on 13 Apr 1723 in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]