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NATHAN HOWLAND (1687–by 1759), son of LIEUTENANT ISAAC HOWLAND and ELIZABETH VAUGHN

FRANCES COOMBS (1682–aft. 1762), daughter of FRANCIS COOMBS and MARY BARKER


Nathan, the son of Isaac Howland, was born on 17 January 1687 in Middleborough. He died before July 1759.1 He married Frances Coombs between 5 May 1711 and 2 February 1712.1  

Frances Coombs, the daughter of Mr. Francis Coombs, was born on 6 January 1682 in Middleborough.2 She died after October 1762.1

The division of Francis Coombs' estate in 15 May 1711 included his daughter Frances Coombs. When the heirs divided land on 2 February 1712, Nathan Howland and his wife Frances were included.1

In her will of 13 October 1725, Nathan's mother Elizabeth left to, "my Son Nathan Howland: The feather bed I Lodge on with all ye furniture belonging to it: also I give Him my two Cows" and "Halfe my Pewter & Halfe my Brasse : because I think he Hath most need of it." As her executor, Nathan was granted letters of administration on 28 March 1728.3

Nathan was presented to the court on March 1721/2 for cursing and swearing at the house of Mr. Thomas Witherell of Plymouth on 6 March; he was fined five shillings in June 1722.4 In September 1724 Thomas Holloway of Plympton was presented for assaulting Nathan and fined five shillings.4 In March 1724/5 Nathan was presented for absence from worship. At the June 1725 court, Joseph Cobb testified that Nathan had "the Sickness" and Reverand Mr. Thatcher of Middleboro said that Nathan was to ill to appear.4 In September 1733 Nathan Howland, laborer of Middleborough, was presented for being at the house of innkeeper Isaac Little after nine at night.4

On 20 May 1724 Nathan Howland of Middleboro sold all of his right in his father's estate to his brother Seth Howland of Middleboro.1

By a deed of 8 August 1726, Nathan Howland and Frances his wife of Middleboro sold to John Miller of Middleboro for ten pounds land that had belonged to Nathan's father Isaac Howland, deceased, and their "Honoured Father" Mr. Francis Coombs.5

Children of Nathan Howland and Frances Coombs: Births, as the children of Nathan and Frances, recorded in Middleborough.6

i. Desire Howland was born on 7 November 1712. She died in March 1716/7, age four, in Middleborough.6

ii. Seth Howland was born on 1 January 1714/5. He died on 3 April 1759 in Middleborough. He married Lydia Cobb.

iii. Caleb Howland was born on 31 December 1717. Apparently no further record.

iv. Priscilla Howland was born on 15 February 1719/20. Apparently no further record.

v. George Howland was born on 26 December 1723. Apparently no further record.

vi. Ruth Howland was born on 4 April 1727. She married Thomas Darling, Jr. of Middleborough on 26 January 1757 in Middleborough.6 Thomas, the son of Thomas and Rebecca Darling, was born on 10 May 1732 in Milddleborough.6 His mother was Rebecca Weston.1 He died before 2 Sep 1788 in Oakham, when (his son) Zenas Darling was appointed administrator of the estate of Thomas Darling of Oakham. [1]

References:

1. Ann Smith Lainhart and Robert S. Wakefield, Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, v. 23 (Family of John Howland) (Plymouth: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2006), 55 (Nathan and Frances), 220 (Thomas Darling).

2. "Vital Records of Middleborough, Massachusetts," Mayflower Descendant 1 (1899): 221.

3. George Ernest Bowman, "Howland Notes," Mayflower Descendant 17 (1915): 187–190.

4. "Plymouth County, MA: Plymouth Court Records, 1686–1859," database with images, AmericanAncestors, vol. 2: 23, 42, 45, 108.

5. "Howland Deeds," Mayflower Descendant 38 (1988): 58.

6. Barbara Lambert Merrick and Alicia Crane Williams, Middleborough, Massachusetts Vital Records, 2 vols. (Boston: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1990, 1987), vol. 1: 3 (Nathan's birth); vol. 1: 21, 35, 42 (births of the children); vol. 2: 28 (Desire's death); vol. 1: 150 (Ruth's marriage), vol. 1: 91 (Thomas Darling's birth).


Last revised: 22-Nov-2021