The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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Jonas Humphrey died in Dorchester, 19 Mch., 1662.* His will is recorded f and dated
12 Mch., 1662, only seven days before his death. It was proved 17 Apr. following,! and mentions
wife, sons Jonas and James, grand-child Elizabeth Foye, and daughter Susanna, wife of Nicholas
White. He makes his son Jonas his executor. William Sumner and Edward Clapp were witnesses
to the instrument.**
Children (by 1st marriage; had no issue by 2d marriage):
I. James,' b. in Wendover, England, about 1608. Family 2.
n. Jonas, = b. in Wendover, England, about 1620. Family 3.
HI. Elizabeth =; married Frye.tt
5. IV. Si'SANNA'; married Nicholas White.
6. V. Sarah -; buried in Dorchester, September, 1638.
FAMILY 2.
7. Elder JaiTieS'' Humphrey, [2] (Jonas' )h.\i\ Wendover, England, about 1608; came
with his father to Dorchester, in New England, in 1637. He was also a tanner and followed that
calling. He was a leading man in the town, J J and one of the most useful, prominent m every
good cause. He was made a freeman in 1645. He died in Dorchester on the 12 ]May, 1686, in
the 78th year of his age.
He was, in 1650, Bailiff of Dorchester, and for many years Ruling Elder in the Church.
On 14th Feb. of the year 1686 he "moved the Church that they would look out and provide
themselves another Elder, because he had long been lame and did look at himself near his
departure out of this world." He also desired that he might be buried in the same tomb with
Rev. Richard Mather, his early friend and Pastor; but it being stoned up and so small as to hold
only one coffin, his request could not be complied with, and he was buried near him. The
tomb-stone to his memory in the North Burial Ground, at Dorchester, is now in good order,
having been repaired by his grand-son, Mr. Jonas Humphreys. The inscription tiiereon is as
follows:
* Dorchester Rcc. say: "9 (i), 1661-3." I Sn^olk Probate Book i. p. 383. \ Idem i, 3^1.
The last Will and Testament of Jonas Humphrey being weake in body by reason of old age and other infirmities, but of perfect
understanding and memory. Blessed be God therefor, I dispose of my outward Estate as followeth.
First, \ give to my beloved wife all yi good that is now in being which she brought with her, Also I give my wife a third part
o! yt four acres of land that lyeth in the great lott, & a third part of seven acres & a half in the 20 acre lott. & a third part of 2 acres
at y« 8 acre lott, during- her life, and after her decease all these parcells of land to return to my son James Humphreys,
Also I give my wife one cow, one new chest, one blanket, one pair of Sheets, and halt the hemp. Also, I give my son Jonas
Humfrey one Bed. one coverlid, one flock Bolster, also my cloake and my great coat,—Also I give to my grand child Elizabeth Price
four pounds & yt chest yt was her grand mothers. Also I give my daughter Susanna White wife to Nicholas White ten shillings. All
the rest of my Estate both land and goods I give to my loving son James Humfrey whom I make my whole Executor.
JONAS HUMFREY
Witnesses
Thomas Joane.i
William Sumner
ft There has been a little doubt as to whether this name is Foye or Ffrie (Fry). Savage's Gen. Diet, N. E. gives it as Foye; but
the copy of Jonas' will in possession of the Family at Dorchester, says Frie: and this is also the opinion of the experienced genealogist.
Mr. Trask, of Boston (A^. E. Hist, and Gen'l Reg., xi, 37, 38) who also says " there are many errors as recorded in Suffolk Probate Fee., i, 382."
it James Humfrey & \Vm Weekes stand bound in 20 I. apiece to ye Treasurer "on this condition that Francis Crablrce shall be of
good behaviour until y» next County court &c." [Wrillcn on L.ick of a wiU prob.ilfj Nov. ,5, j606.] Abstrjct fr,.nl early SjffM Co.
James Humfrey, one of the appraizers of yo Estate of Thomas Eird, senr. of Dorchester, who departtJ this lift ye 811" day of June,
1667. Idem, 161.
James Humfrey, one appraiser Nicolas Clay's estate, of Dorchester, l6y().—/'ist. Dor, p. 442.
James Humphery, appraiser of est. Dec. 11, 1667.—Mm, p. 326.
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