ROBBINS GENEALOGY, Part A
(George Robbins of Chelmsford, MA)
A. GEORGE [1] ROBBINS was born perhaps about 1640 or a little earlier. He was mentioned incidentally in an entry in the Notebook of the Reverend John Fiske of Chelmsford: Nathaniel Shiply, called before the church on 1 November 1657 for "notorious lying," acknowledged falsehoods about Goodwife Byam, saying that "he spoke there [sic] and their substance to George Robbins." In this context, it seems possible that both were quite young men at that time.
The George Robbins farm was located in the southern part of Chelmsford near Great Brook where George owned a mill, near what is now Curve Street in North Carlisle. In 1671, a highway "to mill and meeting house" was laid out near Great brook for the accommodation of John Barrett, Thomas Cory, George Robbins, and Ambrose Swallow. During King Philip's War, the Robbins house was one of the garrison houses in town.
Late in 1675, a group of settlers from Chelmsford attacked an Indian village near Pawtucket Falls (now Lowell), wounding several women and killing one child. At a Court of Assistants held at Boston on 19 November 1675, Jonathan Largin and George Robbins were accused of firing their loaded guns into a crowd of Indians at the Falls. Owing to a lack of evidence, however, the court found them not guilty.
On 25 February 1677/8, George purchased "Medow land" in Billerica from George Farley and his wife, Christian, of Billerica. One meadow was bounded by the Concord line, and the other, called "Brook medow," was nearer Chelmsford. The deed for these pieces of property was not recorded until 17 January 1710/1. In 1686, George Robbins was named in a deed as one of the 50 proprietors of former (Wamesit) Indian lands near Chelmsford.
George Robbins died in 1689 at Chelmsford. He of Chelmsford, in his will dated 19 February 1688/9, witnessed by Samuel Meriam, Juda Potter, and Joseph Estabrook, Jr. and proved 1 October 1689, bequeathed as follows:
...I give to my beloved wife [£20] in corn or cattle at country price as it goes between man & man this to be payd unto hir foure years after my death. To my three sons Samuel Eliazer & Benjamin I give [£10] to each of them: also to my son Jonathan I give [£10]: also to Tho: my son I give [£5] these legacyes to be payd them in corn or cattle when they come to be of age: also to my daughter Sarah I give my feather-bed with its furniture & also [£10]...and to my daughter Mary I give [£10] half of it in household goods & the other half in corn or cattle: also to my son Phillip I give half my medow which I bought of Georg Farly of Bilerica lying by Concord road & twelve acres of upland lying by Sam Barret: item to my two sons John & Georg I give all the rest of my lands equally to be divided among themselves as they shall agree: finally I constitute & make my sons John & Georg to be executors of this my last will & testament.....
The inventory, dated 23 August 1689 and valued at £191 8s, was taken by John Perham, Eleazer Brown, and Ephraim Hildreth. One of the items valued was George's "intrest in ye medow & upland in the wamaset & patucat feeld." Some of the property remained in the family for several generations. One of the last owners was Arthur Graham [7] Robbins (1862-1947) (George H. [6], Ephraim [5,4], Jonas [3], John [2], George [1]).
George Robbins was (first) married to Mary _____ by 1667 when their child was born. He was (second) married to Alice _____. He was (third) married to Mary Barrett on 21 January 1686/7 (probably at Chelmsford).
MARY _____ died at Chelmsford on 24 September 1672, possibly in childbirth.
Children of George Robbins and Mary ____
AA. MARY [2] ROBBINS born 1 Sept. 1667 AB. PHILIP [2] ROBBINS born 9 Jan. or June 1670 AC. JOHN [2] ROBBINS born prob. Sept. 1672
ALICE _____ died at Chelmsford on 25 November 1686, six days after the birth of twins.
Children of George Robbins and Alice ____
AD. GEORGE [2] ROBBINS born ca. 1675 AE. SARAH [2] ROBBINS born ca. 1677 AF. SAMUEL [2] ROBBINS born 2 Jan.1679 [sic] AG. ELEAZER [2] ROBBINS born 1682 AH. BENJAMIN [2] ROBBINS born 30 May 1684 AI. JONATHAN [2] ROBBINS (twin) born 19 Nov. 1686 AJ. JOSEPH [2] ROBBINS (twin) born 19 Nov. 1686
MARY BARRETT, daughter of Thomas Barrett and Frances Woolderson, was born at Braintree, Massachusetts on 17 April 1658.
Children of George Robbins and Mary Barrett
AK. Thomas [2] ROBBINS born 27 Oct. 1687References: "Untangling the Evidence for Two Early Massachusetts Robbins Families: George of Chelmsford (1657) and Robert of Concord (1671)" by Eleanor Robbins Sprague and Andrew West Robbins, New England Historical and Genealogical Register, [hereinafter NEHGR], October 1997, pages 388-390, citing following sources:
Vital Records of Chelmsford, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 (Salem: the essex Institute, 1914) [hereinafter Chelmsford VRs], 135, 136, 308, 436. Martha F. Wilkins in "Old Houses and Families of Carlisle, Massachusetts," manuscript at the Carlisle Public Library (1941), Vols. 20 and 21, "The Robbins Genealogical Book" [hereinafter Wilkins Ms.]. "Thomas Barrett of Braintree, William Barrett of Cambridge, and Their Early Descendants," Register, 42 [1888]:259. The Notebook of the Reverend John Fiske, 1644-1675, Robert G. Pope, ed., Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, 47 (Boston, 1974),120-121. Wilson Waters, History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts (Lowell, 1917) [hereinafter Waters, History of Chelmsford], 45, 90, 99-101, 398, 511-12. Donald A. Lapham, Carlisle, Composite Community: Historical Facts Concerning the Settlers in Present Carlisle, Massachusetts, in the Colonial Period (2nd ed., New York City, 1975) [hereinafter Lapham, Carlisle], 62, 64. Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay 1630-1692, 3 vols. (Boston: The County of Suffolk, 1901-1928), 55, 57. Middlesex County Deeds, 10: 19-22; 15: 407, 408. Middlesex County Probate File 19248. E. R. Sprague, "Robbins Relatives: George Robbins of Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 1667 and Some of His Descendants at Stow, Massachusetts" (typescript at the Library of Congress, the Maine Historical Society, and other libraries, 1985), 1-127.
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AA. MARY [2] ROBBINS (George [1]) was born at Chelmsford, Massachusetts on 1 September 1667.
She was married to Samuel Taylor at Concord, Massachusetts on 9 December 1685.
SAMUEL TAYLOR, son of James Taylor and Elizabeth Tompkins (or Tomkins), was born at Concord on 21 June 1656.
Children of Mary Robbins and Samuel Taylor
AAA. MARY [3] TAYLOR born 27 Oct. 1688 AAB. JAMES [3] TAYLOR born 29 Aug. 1690 AAC. EDMUND [3] TAYLOR born 19 March 1692/3 AAD. SAMUEL [3] TAYLOR born 8 Jan. 1694/5References: NEHGR], October 1997, page 390, citing following sources:
Chelmsford VRs, 135, 136. Concord, Massachusetts, Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1635-1850 (Concord, 1891) [hereinafter Concord VRs],28, 34-40. Wilkins Ms. Middlesex County Probate File 19248.
- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * -AB. PHILIP [2] ROBBINS (George [1]) was born at Chelmsford, Massachusetts on 29 Jan. or June 1670. He was living in Feb. 1688/9 when his father left to him half his "medow which I bought of Georg Farly of Bilerica lying by Concord Road & twelve Acres of upland lying by Sam Barret." No further record found.
References: NEHGR], October 1997, page 390, citing following sources:
Chelmsford VRs, 135, 136. Middlesex County Probate File 19248.
- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * -AC. JOHN [2] ROBBINS (George [1]) was born at (probably) Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 1672, possibly on or shortly before 24 September, when his mother died (her death possibly occurred following childbirth). He was named in his father's will and his birth was not recorded in Chelmsford VR. In 1689, Ephraim Hildreth was one of the appraisers of the estate of John's father, George [1] Robbins, and was chosen as John [2] Robbins as his guardian. Ephraim Hildreth was the uncle of Dorothy Hildreth who was the wife of John [2] Robbins.
He was later known as Sgt. John Robbins. He and his family remained on his parents' homestead farm. He deeded some buildings and lands on 16 September 1743 to his son, Jonas, including "lands by Barrets great Dam in Chelmsford . . . near great Brook . . . by lands of Joseph Whitney, Peter Proctor, John Swallow . . . east of Concord highway . . . half George's meadow in Billerica, half Virginia meadow in Billerica . . . near great Swamp whose bounds appear in Billerica Town records or by Deeds under my Care . . . I am the true sole proper and lawful owner. . . ." Reference was made to some of the land John had received from the estate of his father, George Robbins. John's wife, Dorothy, surrendered her dower right in the land. This deed established Sgt. John as the son of George [1] Robbins, since it mentioned his property in the Great Brook area where George had settled in 1667.
He died at Chelmsford on 10 August 1762, aged 89. Sgt. John Robbins in his will, dated 13 March 1753 and proved 25 July 1763, witnessed by Thomas Spaulding, John Barrett, and Daniel Proctor, appointed his son [Ens.] Jonas Robbins as executor. He named his wife, Dorothy, eldest son John, the children of Elizabeth Fletcher deceased, Eleanor Heald, the children of Lucy Farmer deceased, and Mercy Heald.
He was married to Dorothy Hildreth at Chelmsford, Massachusetts on 30 November 1699.
DOROTHY HILDRETH, daughter of Lt. James Hildreth and Margaret Ward, was born at Chelmsford about 1674. She died at Chelmsford on 19 April 1757 aged 83 years.
Children of John Robbins and Dorothy Hildreth
ACA. ELIZABETH [3] ROBBINS born 29 August 1700 ACB. JOSEPH [3] ROBBINS born 20 September 1702 ACC. SARAH [3] ROBBINS born 25 October 1704 ACD. ELEANOR [3] ROBBINS born 17 December 1707 ACE. JOHN [3] ROBBINS born 23 March 1710 ACF. LUCE [3] ROBBINS born 22 February 1712 ACG. JONAS [3] ROBBINS born 3 July 1714 ACH. MERCY [3] ROBBINS born 21 March 1717/8References: NEHGR], October 1997, page 390, citing following sources:
Chelmsford VRs, 134-36; marriages not otherwise cited, 308-09; deaths, 436. Concord VRs, 77. Wilkins Ms. Middlesex County Probate File 19248, 19264. Walter Goodwin Davis, Ancestry of Sarah Hildreth, wife of Annis Spear of Litchfield, Maine (Portland: The Anthoensen Press, 1958), 10. Publications of the Hildreth Family Association, Genealogical and Historical Data Relating to Richard Hildreth (1605-1693), Freeman 1643 Cambridge and Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Thomas Hildreth of Long Island 1 [1915]: 70; 2 [1922]: 52, 57-67; 3 [1925]: 19. Lapham, Carlisle, 64 Middlesex County Deeds, 43: 508-509. E. H. Fletcher, Robert Fletcher Genealogy (Boston, 1871), 13, 111. C. A. Torrey, "The Heald-Hale Genealogy: John Heald of Concord, Massachusetts and Some of His Descendants (Six Generations)," typescript at the Society (Boston, 1940) [hereinafter Torrey, "Heald-Hale Ms."], 14, 16, 25, 36, 59. Vital Records of Stow, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (Boston, 1911) [hereinafter Stow VRs], 51, 162.- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * -
AD. GEORGE [2] ROBBINS (George [1]) was born at (probably) Chelmsford, Massachusetts about 1675. His birth was not recorded, but he was named in the will of his father. In 1689, young George chose as his guardian John Perham, who had been one of the appraisers of his father's estate. John's son, Benoni Perham, later married George's sister Sarah.
George Robbins and John Wood, both of Concord, bought land at Concord in 1701. In 1722, George was a proprietor of Rutland, Massachusetts. In two deeds, dated 20 January 1724/5, George conveyed lands at Stow and Rutland to his "eldest son" John, of Falmouth "in the County of York [Maine]."
On 4 May 1741, Thomas Flint of Concord was appointed guardian of Simon Robbins, in his 20th year, and Nehemiah Robbins, in his 17th year, both sons of George Robbins of Stow "and Hannah his wife deceased . . . at the desire of Mr. George Robbins of Stow, husbandman, the father of said minors . . . Guardianship to relate to the Settlement of their mother's Estate, which descended to her from Nehemiah Hunt."
He died at Acton, Massachusetts on 24 July 1747, in his 72nd year, and was buried with his first two wives in the Old Cemetery at "Stow Lower Village." In his will, dated 12 November 1746, witnessed by John Swift, John Davis, Jr., and Francis Eveleth and proved in 1747, George Robbins appointed his sons Nathan Robbins of Acton and Nehemiah Robbins of Boston as executors. He named also his wife Abigail, son Micah, son Ephraim of Rutland, daughters Elizabeth Proctor of Harvard, Mary Rand (or Rann) of Stow, Rebeckah Addams of Acton, and two sons (Joseph and Israel) of his son Simon, deceased.
He was (first) married to Elizabeth Wood at Concord, Massachusetts on 19 October 1697. He was (second) married to Hannah Hunt at Concord on 3 March 1719/20. He was (third) married to Abigail _____ before 6 February 1743/4 when she was mentioned in a deed whereby he sold certain lands at Stow.
ELIZABETH WOOD, daughter of John Wood and Elizabeth Vinton, was born at Concord on 15 September 1678. She died at Stow, Massachusetts on 22 February 1717/8 in her 40th year.
Children of George Robbins and Elizabeth Wood
ADA. ELIZABETH [3] ROBBINS born 15 January 1697/8 ADB. JOHN [3] ROBBINS born 16 February 1699/1700 ADC. JOSEPH [3] ROBBINS born 15 September 1702 ADD. NATHAN [3] ROBBINS born 3 January 1704/5 ADE. MICAH [3] ROBBINS ADF. MARY [3] ROBBINS ADG. EPHRAIM [3] ROBBINS born 18 October 1711 ADH. REBECCA [3] ROBBINS born 11 March 1714/15 ADI. AMOS [3] ROBBINS born 22 May 1717
HANNAH HUNT, daughter of Nehemiah Hunt and Mary Toll, was born at Concord on 24 March 1681. She died at Stow, Massachusetts on 12 August 1736 in her 56th year.
Children of George Robbins and Hannah Hunt
ADJ. SIMON [3] ROBBINS born October 1721 ADK. NEHEMIAH [3] ROBBINS born ca. 1724
ABIGAIL _____ was mentioned in her husband's will. She survived her husband, George Robbins.References: NEHGR], October 1997, page 390-394, citing following sources:
Chelmsford VRs, 09. Concord VRs, 13, 22, 24, 44, 45, 49, 54, 62, 83, 96, 98. Middlesex County Probate File 19248, 19249, 19250. Middlesex County Deeds, 24: 222, 223, 41: 586, 44: 338. Stow VRs], 70, 257. C. W. Holmes, A Genealogy of the Lineal Descendants of William Wood (Elmira, N.Y., 1901), 9-10, 14. Jonas Reed, A History of Rutland (Worcester, 1836), 23, 37, 109.- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * -
AE. SARAH [2] ROBBINS (George [1]) was born at (probably) Chelmsford, Massachusetts about 1677. Her birth was not recorded, but she was named in the will of his father. She was of Cambridge when she became married (6 December 1704. She died at Chelmsford on 22 February 1741/2 "in 65th y."
She was married to Benoni Perham at Concord on 6 December 1704.
BENONI PERHAM, son of John Perham and Lydia Shipley, was born in about 1676 and died at Chelmsford on 14 March 1724, aged 48 years..
Children of Sarah Robbins and Benoni Perham
AEA. SARY [3] PERHAM born 1 November 1705 AEB. LIDIAH [3] PERHAM born 17 August 1707 AEC. MARY [3] PERHAM born 1 August 1709 AED. JONATHAN [3] PERHAM born 25 July 1711 AEE. ESTER [3] PERHAM born 28 August 1713 AEF. SAMUEL [3] PERHAM born 4 March 1715/16 AEG. HANNAH [3] PERHAM born 23 February 1716/17 AEH. LIDIA [3] PERHAM born 24 September 1722References: NEHGR], October 1997, page 390-391, citing following sources:
Chelmsford VRs, 118-119, 309, 426, 427. Middlesex County Probate File 19248. Waters, History of Chelmsford, 809.
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