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Robert Moulton (c. 1587–1655)
Alice Unknown (c. 1597–1655)
Robert Moulton was born about 1587, based on the estimated age of his marriage. He died between 20 February 1654/5 and 26 June 1655. He married Alice ___ by about 1612.
Alice ___ was born about 1597, based on her estimated marriage date. She died by 20 February 1654/5, when she was not mentioned in her husband's will.
Robert came to New England in 1629 and settled in Salem. He moved to Charlestown in 1630 and returned to Salem in 1636. [1]
Robert was a shipwright. In a letter sent on 17 April 1629 from Gravesend, Governor Craddock said, "We have sent six shipwrights of whom Robert Moulton is chief." [1]
Robert, a freeman, apparently was, or had been, granted 100 acres in Salem in 1636. [2, 20] On 21: 12: 1636 [February 1636/7] a warrant was issued for laying out land in Salem, including 100 acres for Robert. [2, 37]
Robert was a deputy for Charlestown on 14 May 1634 and 6 May 1635. He was commissioned to build the seafort on 14 May 1634. He was a lot assessor on 9 January 1633/4 and a selectman on 10 February 1634/5. He was a deputy for Salem on 18 April 1637. He was a selectman in 1636 and 1637; he was a tythingman on 7 July 1644. [1]
Robert was chosen a deputy for Salem on 10 2 [April] 1637 in Salem. [2, 45]
Goodman Robert Moulton was one of five men of Salem disarmed on 20 November 1637 for supporting Wheelwright and Hutchinson. [1]
Robert was appointed to a committee in Salem to examine the constables' accounts on 12 (9) 1638. [2, 73]
Robert was the foreman of the jury at the December 1636, October 1637, June 1639, and September 1639 courts. [3, 4, 6, 11, 12] He was on the jury at the September 1640 and June 1641, December 1644, and July 1647 courts. [3, 21, 28, 74, 114]
In about 1640 [?] meadowland and marsh in Salem was allocated by a family's size. Robert Moulton, with four people in his family, was given three-fourths of an acre. [2, 101–4]
Along with many others, Robert was fined by the December 1642 court for keeping his cattle in the common cornfield. [3, 49]
On 7 July 1644 the town ordered that each Lord's day, two men should check on those who did not attend worship. Robert Moulton, Sr. was assigned to the fifth week and Robert, Jr. to to the sixth. [2, 131] On 3 February 1644/5 and 29 June 1647, Robert was chosen to serve on the trial jury. [2, 135, 149]
Robert Moulton, Sr. of Salem made his will on 20 February 1654/5; it was proved on 26 (4) 1655. He made his son Robert Moulton his executor. He left his daughter Dorothy Edwards twenty marks and two pillows. He left son Robert the use of his farm. When his grandson Robert turned 21 he was to enjoy half of the apple trees on the farm and after his father and mother's death, the farm was to be wholly his. He left Goodwife Buffum 20 shillings and Joshua Buffum 20 shillings. The rest of his goods and cattle he left with his son Robert, who was to pay his debts. His undated inventory amounted to 113 pounds and included his farm, valued at 35 pounds, and seven books. [4]
Children of Robert Moulton and Alice Unknown:
i. Robert Moulton was baptized on 23 (4) 1644 in Salem. He married Abigail Goad.
ii. Dorothy Moulton was born say 1618. She married first Abraham, the son of Daniel Finch, by 1637. [1] She married second by 1638 John Edwards. [1] She married third by 1667 Richard Touseley. [1]
References:
1. "The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620–1633, Volumes I-III," digitized book, AmericanAncestors.org, originally Published as: Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, 3 volumes (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 1304–6.
2. Martha O. Howes and Sydney Perley, Town Records of Salem, Massachusetts (Salem, Essex Institute, 1868).
3. George Francis Dow, ed., and Harriet S. Tapley, trans., Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 9 vols., digitized books, Salem Witch Trials: Documentary Archive and Transcription Project (http://salem.lib.virginia.edu), volume 1.
4. "Essex County, MA: Early Probate Records, 1635–1681," database with images, AmericanAncestors.org, vol. 1: 210.
11-May-2023