Robert Andrews

ROBERT ANDREWS (d. 1688)

GRACE UNKNOWN (c. 1614–1702)

Robert Andrews died on 29 May 1668 in Topsfield. [1] He married Grace Unknown perhaps about 1637. [2]

Grace was born about 1614, based on a 1674 deposition. The widow Grace died on 25 December 1700/1 in Boxford. [3]

Robert was a carpenter. [4] He lived in Topsfield in 1654 and settled in Rowley Village (later Boxford) in 1661. [4] He bought 200 acres from John Lambert of Rowley in a sale confirmed July 1661 on the west side of Pye Brook and build a house. He also purchased several other tracts of land in Boxford and Topsfield. He house was somehow destroyed and he built a new one. At the time of his death, he had 25 acres of corn planted. [5]

Robert Andrews of Topsfield took the oath of fidelity at the 6 May 1658 court in Ipswich. [6: 69] Robert Andrews and Francis Peabody of Topsfield appraised the estate of Andrew Creeke on 17 September 1658. [6:115] He was on the grand jury at the 28 September 1658 court in Ipswich. 6:111] He was on the trial jury at the 27 March 1660 court in Ipswich. [6:195] He withdrew his suit against John Tod for trespass on 29 March 1664. [b: 126] On 28 March 1665 he unsuccessfully sued the constable of Rowley. [7: 235] He was on a 10 February 1664 tax list in Topsfield. [7: 386] Daniel Harvey withdrew a trespass suit against him on 24 September 1667. [7: 444]

Robert Andrews of Rowley Village (Boxford), being very sick and weak, signed his will on 16 May 1668. It was attested to by his widow Grace on 1: 5: 1668. [8] The will reflects concern for his wife and an apparent worry that his sons Thomas and Robert might make trouble. He left his eldest son Thomas Andrews the house he lived in—although he was to shingle it—and nine acres of land that he bought from Zacheus Gould. However, during her lifetime his "well beloved wife" was to have the kitchen, hall, kitchen chamber, half the cellar, the new field, eight acres and half the orchard. If this was not enough to sustain her then his sons Thomas and Andrew were to give her three more acres for her lifetime, without hindrance or molestation on the part of Thomas. After his wife's death, Thomas was to have the land, orchard and rooms. All of Robert's carpenter tools were to be for the use of his wife and sons Thomas and Robert. Robert also left his son Robert eight acres from Piebrook and his sons Thomas and Robert were "not [to] wrong one another in wood". Thomas was to pay Robert's three youngest daughters, Rebecca, Sarah and Ruth twenty pounds each when they reached age 20. If one were to die, the other two were to receive her share. He was also to pay Robert's daughter Mary, the wife of Isaac Cummings five pounds. Robert's son Robert was to pay Robert's daughters Elizabeth, the wife Samuel Symonds, and Hannah Peabody each five pounds. Robert left his son John his "seller Lott" and meadow, but the meadow was for the use of Robert's wife and son Thomas until John was 21. Then it was to be returned to him without any "further trouble". John was to pay Robert's seven grandchildren 20 shillings each when they reached the age of 14. Robert left his son Joseph the land in Topsfield that he bought from John Wilds, Sr. He left him all of his cattle and movable goods and half the barn and "Lintos"; Thomas was to have the other half and his brother Robert was instructed to provide hay for their mother. Robert's wife was his sole executrix. [9] The will of Robert Andrews, Sr. of Rowley was proved on 30 June 1668. Inventory was taken by Francis Peabody,Isaac Cummings and Edmund Towne. It included a house and 200 acres worth 350 pounds, as well as household goods, livestock, implements, and other land. The widow Grace swore to it on 20 June 1668. [10: 35–36]

On 1 May 1672 Nathaniel and Thomas Leonard and Robert and Thomas Andrews were presented for breaching the peace. The Leonards and Thomas Andrews were fined. [11]

Hannah Downing brought a complaint against Nathaniel, Samuel and Thomas Leonard at the June 1674 court. She complained that on many occasions the Leonards had annoyed her while she was in bed, hitting her and kicking her. Many of the Leonard brother's friends and family testified on their behalf. However, Sarah Bates and Elizabeth Looke deposed that they had seen the Leonards abuse Hannah. John Gould testified to their bad behavior. Elizabeth Symonds said that Samuel Leonard had asked for a beer, and when she went to the cellar to draw him some, he followed her and tried to kiss her. She admonished him for trying to kiss a married woman, and he struck her a blow on the small of her back. Grace Andrews, age about 60, testified to seeing Thomas Leonard behave badly. Hannah Peabody, aged about 30, said that Samuel Leonard came by her house and forcefully took her child from her arms and put it in the cradle. She said to her little boys, "Where is your father?" and Samuel left. Robert Andrews, aged about 25, also testified to the Leonards' bad behavior. The court ordered the Leonards to be whipped or pay a fine and bound them for good behavior. [11]

Grace made her will on 4 September 1699; it was proved on 4 January 1702/3. [5]

Do not confuse Robert with the Robert of Ipswich, who died in 1643/4 and had sons John and Thomas. [b: 163]

Children of Robert Andrews and Grace Unknown:

i. Mary Andrews was born about 1640. She died between 27 June 1692 and 27 August 1612. She married Deacon Isaac Cummings.

ii. Elizabeth Andrews was born about 1643. She died on 17 March 1725 in Boxford. married Samuel Symonds of Boxford on 14 April 1662. [4]

iii. Hannah Andrews was born about 1644. She died on 24 December 1702 and is buried in the Village Cemetery in Boxford [12] She married John Peabody on 23 November 1665 in Topsfield or Boxford. [13][14]

John and Hannah were living in Boxford in 1699. [4]

iv. Sergeant Thomas Andrews married first Martha Antrome. He married Rebecca Unknown.

v. John Andrews was born about 1648. [4] He died by 1731. [4] He married Sarah Dickenson on 18 April 1683 in Boxford. [VRBM] Sarah was the daughter of James and Rebecca Dickenson of Rowley. [5] She was living in 1725. [4]

John was a husbandman in Boxford. [4] Between 1720 and 1725 he was styled "gentleman." [4]

vi. Robert Andrews was born about 1651. [4] He died on 19 December 1675, unmarried. [4]

Robert was a soldier in Captain Gardner's company in King Philip's War and he was killed storming the Narragansett fort. [4]

Robert made his will on 6 December 1675. [4]

vii. Rebecca Andrews was born about 1654. [4] She married Samuel Marble of Andover. [4]

Samuel and Rebecca were living in Andover in 1699. [4]

viii. Captain Joseph Andrews was born on 18 September 1657 in Topsfield. He died on 28 July 1732 in Salem. He married first Sarah Perley. He married second Mary Dickenson. He married third Abigail (Grafton) Walker.

ix. Sarah Adams was born about 1658. [4] She died on 27 September 1714 and was buried in the Ancient Graveyard in East Parish in Boxford. [5][12] She married Daniel Wood of Boxford about 1674. [5] Daniel was probably the son of Thomas Wood of Rowley. [5]

Daniel and Sarah were living in Boxford in 1699. [4]

x. Ruth Adams was born on 27 March 1664 in Rowley Village. [4] She married Edward Phelps of Andover on 9 March 1682/3. [4][5]

Edward and Ruth were living in Andover in 1699. [4]

References

1.Vital Records Topsfield, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 (Topsfield: Topsfield Historical Society, 1903), 201.

2. "New England Marriages to 1700," digitized books, AmericanAncestors, vol. 1: 37, originally published as Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages Prior to 1700 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015).

3. Vital Records of Boxford, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 (Topsfield: Topsfield Historical Society, 1905), 222, a question mark by Grace's death year.

4. "Descendants of Robert Andrews of Rowley Village (Boxford)," Essex Antiquarian 3 (1899), 3–4.

5. Sydney Perley ,The History of Boxford (Boxford: author, 1880), 24–27, 71.

6. 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), vol. 2.

7. Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex, vol. 3.

8. "Essex County, MA: Early Probate Records, 1635–1681," database with images, AmericanAncestors, pp. 133–5.

9. Linda Smith Herrick, trans., Will of Robert Andrews of Boxford, Essex County Gen Web website (no longer found there).

10. Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex, vol. 4.

11. Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex, vol. 5, 31, 351–4.

12. "Hannah Andrews Pabody," Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55400047/hannah-pabody). Her inscription says, "Here lyes y body of Hannah Pabody wife to John Pabody age about 60 years died December 21 1702." "Sarah Andrews Wood," Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14784989/sarah-wood). Her inscription says, "Here lyes buried the body of Sarah Wood ye wife of Deacon Daniel Wood who died September 27 1714 & in the 57 year of her age."

13. Vital Records of Topsfield, 116.

14. Vital Records of Boxford, 222.

last revised 14-Nov-2023