The STEARNS Family of Higham and Stoke Nayland, co. Suffolk, England, Watertown and Billerica

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INDEX TO THE STEARNS FAMILY FILES

First Generation

JOHN MAWLE (c. 1489-1561)

Parents: Unknown. Mawles had lived in Hornchurch, co. Essex for several generations and it is "fairly sure" that John descended from them.

John Mawle was born about 1489. John, senior, was buried in Stoke Nayland on 5 Feb 1560/1, aged 72. [Ref, p. 447]

Children of John Mawle:

1. John Mawle was probably born between 1510 and 1515. He was buried on 27 Jul 1561. He married Alice Unknown.
2. (?)Thomas Mawle married Joan Unknown.
   The Thomas Mawle named in John Mawle's will might be his brother.

St Mary's Church was rebuilt in the fifteenth century and renovated in 1865. See the Stoke Nayland Wikipedia article.

Second Generation

RICHARD BARKER (1505/10 - 1561) of Nayland

Parents: Unknown

Richard Barker was probably born between about 1505 and 1510. [Ref, p. 445] Richard, householder, was buried on 27 Jul 1561. [Ref, p. 445] He married Alice Unknown. Alice, the wife of Richard Barker, was buried on 27 Dec 1560 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 445]

Richard had several brothers and a sister Ellen. Thomas Barker, who had a daughter Katherine was baptised on 18 Sep 1559 in Nayland, and William Barker, whose daughter Elizabeth was buried on 15 Jun 1560, were probably his brothers. [Ref, p. 445]

Richard was a prosperous property owner. [Ref, p. 445] He owned a mill in Wormingford, Essex. [Ref, p. 445]

Richard of Nayland signed his will on 23 Jul 1561. He mentioned his sons John and Thomas Barker; his underage son Richard Barker; his daughers Katherine, Margaret and Elizabeth Barker; John Barker, his kinsman of Colchester; his brothers and his sister Ellen. The supervisors were to be John Mawle and Thomas Rose. [Ref, pp. 445-6]

A barker is a tanner.

Children of Richard Barker and Alice Unknown:

1. John Barker was probably born beteen 1535 and 1538. He was buried on 22 Oct 1588 in Nayland. married Margaret Mawle.
2. Katherine Barker was probably born between 1537 and 1540. [Ref, p. 446]
3. Margaret Barker was perhaps born between 1539 and 1543. [Ref, p. 446] She married Anthony Speede on 25 Oct 1562 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 446] He died testate between 1 Nov 1591 and 23 Nov 1591. [Ref, p. 446]
   Anthony mentions his underage children and his wife Margerye in his will. This suggests that Margaret had died, leaving no children, and Anthony remarried. But, it is possible that Margerye and Margaret are the same person. [Ref, p. 446]
4. Richard Barker was probably born between 1541 and 1543. [Ref, p. 446] He died on 7 Nov 1594. [Ref, p. 446] He married first Dorothy Abbes on 26 Jun 1569 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 446] Dorothy was probably the daugher of George Abbes who died testate in 1554 leaving children and a wife named Elizabeth. [Ref, p. 446] She was buried on 3 Nov 1574. [Ref, p. 446] He married second Mary Woodgate. [Ref, p. 446] Mary was the daughter of Stephen Woodgate of E. Bergholt. [Ref, p. 446] She was living in 1618. [Ref, p. 446] She married second Henry Bright. [Ref, p. 446] She married third William Cole. [Ref, p. 446]
   His sister-in-law Margaret (Mawle) Barker left bequests to is unnamed children in her will.
   1. Dorothy Barker was baptised on 17 Nov 1572. [Ref, p. 446] She was buried on 1 Dec 1572. [Ref, p. 446]
   2. Richard Barker was baptised on 8 Mar 1573/4. [Ref, p. 446]
   3. Margaret Barker was baptised on 29 Jan 1582/3. [Ref, p. 446]
   4. Mary Barker was baptised on 16 Sep 1594. [Ref, p. 446]
5. Elizabeth Barker was perhaps born between about 1540 and 1544. [Ref, p. 446] She married first John Coppyn, a widower, on 5 Oct 1563 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 446] She married second George Preston on 23 Dec 1571. [Ref, p. 446]
   Elizabeth is named in her brother's 27 Feb 1584/5 will.
   1. Richard Coppyn was baptised on 11 Feb 1564/5. [Ref, p. 446]
      Richard is mentioned in her Uncle Thomas Barker's 27 Feb 1584/5 will.
   2. Elizabeth Coppyn was baptised on 16 Dec 1566. [Ref, p. 446]
      Elizabeth is mentioned in her Uncle Thomas Barker's 27 Feb 1584/5 will.
   3. Thomas Coppyn was baptised on 1 Mar 1567/8. [Ref, p. 446]
      Thomas is mentioned in his Uncle Thomas Barker's 27 Feb 1584/5 will.
   4. Dorothy Prestone was baptised on 12 Apr 1573. [Ref, p. 446]
      Dorothy is mentioned in her Uncle Thomas Barker's 27 Feb 1584/5 will.
   5. Susan Prestone was baptised on 28 Feb 1574/5. [Ref, p. 446] She probably died before 27 Feb 1584/5.
6. Thomas Barker was perhaps born between 1545 and 1550. [Ref, p. 446] He died between 27 Feb 1584/5, when he signed his will, and 5 May 1585, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 446] He married Anne Unknown. [Ref, p. 446] She died after 12 Feb 1584/5.
   In his will, Thomas, a clother of Colchester, Essex with lands in Nayland and Stoke by Nayland in Suffolk, mentions among others his wife Anne; his kinswoman Elizabeth Coppins; sister Elizabeth Preston and her husband; kinsman George Preston; Richard Coppinge; cousin Thomas Coppinge; the widow Briant; cousin Dorothy Preston. His wife Anne was named executrix. [Ref, p. 446]

John Mawle, clothier of Nayland, being "sick in body", made his will on 5 Sep 1579. It was proved on 26 Jan 1579/80. He left his wife Margaret the messuage in Nayland that he lived in for life and one little hog yard that was managed by John Barker. After her death they were to go to his son James. If James died before his wife, who was also named Margaret, then this wife Margaret was to recieve five pounds a year for life. He left his wife Margaret a tenement in Nayland for life. After her death it was to go to his son Robert. [Ref, pp. 448-50, transcription of the will] He left his wife Margaret all of his copyhold lands called Noches, a messuage over against the fulling mill and another tenement in Nayland for life. After her death they were to go to his son George. He left his wife Margaret all of his properties in Monte Bures and Whether Muntforde alias Wormingwood in co. Essex. After her death they were to go to his son John. He left his wife Margaret all rights in lands, pastures, etc. in House croft Much Fayerfield and Bulmers Nayland. He divided his other land between his sons. His son James was to pay his son John five pounds a year; his son John was to deliver his wife Margaret 20 loads of wood a year. He left 100 pounds to his wife and to John. He left his son George 100 marks and all his shears etc. for the the occupation of a shearsman. He left his wife all the household moveables. He left ten pounds to each child of his daughter Barker at age 16. He left John Mawle, the son of his son George, lands in Thorpe, Essex that were to revert to him after the death of Thomas Mawle and his wife Joan. He named his son James his executor. [Ref, pp. 448-50, transcription of the will] John's will is held by the United Kingdom's National Archives in Kew. Click here to order an electronic copy for a fee.

Margaret, a widow of Nayland next Stoke, "being sick in body" made her will on 3 Dec 1586. It was proved on 11 Feb 1586/7. She asked to be buried in the church in Nayland. She left James, the younger son of her son James, the messuage or tenement she lived in, the tenement her son George lived in, a tenement she had purchased and all of her indentures of lease in lands called Horscroft and Much Fayrefild. She left Anne, the daughter of her son James indentures of lease of Kingsfylde. If either James or Anne were to die before they were 21, the other would inherit; if both died their father would get their share. She also left both siblings household goods. She left her son George her indenture in lands called Bullmers in Nayfield and some household goods. She left her son John one of her best silver goblets providing that he return the dozen silver spoons that she had loaned to him. She also left him some household goods. She left her son Robert some household goods. He left her daughter Margaret her "great danske chest in the parlor with my apparel that is in it will all the linen in the hutch at the great bed, she to distribute it among her daughters, and the Hutch [she gave] unto Katherine her daughter." She left her son George's children each two silver spoons; her daughter Barker's unmarried children each one silver spoon and her son John's children each on silver spoon. She also left bequests to Margaret Abbes, otherwide Skarlett, her kinswoman and to Anne Abbes, otherwise Leach, Margaret Abbes's sister and to Elizabeth Barker. She named John Gente of Walton, co. Essex her executor and John Winterflood of Assington, gentleman, her supervisor [of the executor]. The witnesses were John Barker the elder, Thomas Legate and Edward Swayne. [Ref, pp. 448-50]

Children of John Mawle and Margaret Unknown:

1. Margaret Mawle was buried on 11 Jan 1589/90 in Nayland. married John Barker.
2. James Mawle married Margaret Unknown. [Ref, p. 450]
   James Mawle, yeoman of Nayland, signed his will on 15 Nov 1608. The will is held by the UK National Archives at Kew. Click here to order an electronic copy for a fee.
   1. Unknown Son Mawle
   2. James Mawle
      James was named in his grandmother Mawle's will and his aunt Margaret (Mawle) Barker's will.
   3. Anne Mawle
      Anne was named in her grandmother Mawles's will and her aunt Margaret (Mawle) Barker's will.
3. John Mawle [Ref, p. 450]
   1. John Mawle
      John was named in his aunt Margaert (Mawle) Barker's will.
   2. Robert Mawle
      Robert was named in his aunt Margaret (Mawle) Barker's will.
4. George Mawle
   George was probably a shearsman, given the bequest he received in his father's will.
   1. Grace Mawle was baptised on 9 Oct 1562. [Ref, p. 450]
   2. Elizabeth Mawle [Ref, p. 450]
   3. Judith Mawle [Ref, p. 450]
   4. John Mawle was born before 5 Sep 1579.
      John was named in his grandfather Mawle's will and his aunt Margaret (Mawle) Barker's will.
   5. Margaret Mawle was born between 1579 and 1589. [Ref, p. 450]
      was named in her aunt Margaret (Mawle) Barker's will.
5. Robert Mawle was living in 1586 but probably died before 1589, leaving no children. [Ref, p. 450]

Third Generation

Children of John Barker and Margaret Mawle:

1. John Barker was baptised on 30 Apr 1563 in Nayland. He was buried on 10 Mar 1616/7 at Stoke Nayland. He married Margaret Walter.
2. Margaret Barker was bapised as the daughter of John on 28 Oct 1575 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442] She married Thomas Legate before 1587. [Ref, p. 442] He died in 1622. [Ref, p. 442]
   Margaret and Thomas lived in Sutton in Hornchurch. [Ref, p. 442]
   1. Jane Legate was born before 7 Feb 1589.
      Jane was named in her grandmother Barker's will.
3. Katherine Barker was bapised as the daughter of John on 17 May 1568 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442] She married John Beriffe of Brightlingsea, Essex before 1587. [Ref, p. 442]
   Katherine is named in her grandmother Mawle's will; she inherited her "great danske chest".
   1. John Beriffe was born before 7 Feb 1589.
      John was named in his grandmother Barker's will.
4. Alice Barker was bapised as the daughter of John on 9 Oct 1570 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442] She was buriesd on 4 Nov 1570. [Ref, p. 442]
5. Dorothy Barker was bapised as the daughter of John on 20 Oct 1572 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442]
6. Richard Barker was bapised as the son of John on 24 Apr 1575 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442]
7. Thomas was bapised as the son of Thomas (which must be an error) on 14 Sep 1578 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442]
8. Alice Barker was bapised as the daughter of John on 14 Aug 1580 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442]
9. Anne Barker was bapised as the daughter of John on 28 Oct 1582 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442] She may be the Anne who married Robert Turner on 18 Aug 1608 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442]
10. William was bapised as the son of John on 19 Oct 1585 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442]
11. Joyce Barker was bapised as the daughter of John on 31 Mar 1588 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 442]

RICHARD WALTER (1520/35 - 1569/70)

Parents: Unknown

Richard Walter was probably born between 1520 and 1535. [Ref, p. 443] He died between 17 May 1569 and 11 May 1570. He apparently married first Elizabeth Unknown. [Ref, p. 443] Elizabeth, the wife of Richard Walter, was buried on 13 Dec 1562 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 443] He married second Margaret Unknown in 1563. [Ref, p. 443] Margaret was probably born betwen 1530 and 1540. [Ref, p. 443]

Richard apparently had a sister who married John Winterflood. [Ref, p. 443]

Richard was a beer brewer. [Ref, p. 443]

Richard, a beer brewer of Nayland, being sick, signed his will on 17 May 1569; it was proved on 11 May 1570. He mentioned his wife Margaret; his son Richard; his daughter Margaret; the child his wife was pregnant with; Thomas Winterflood, the son of John Winterflood of Assington; the underage Peter Walter. Executors were to be his wife Margaret and his brother John Winterflood. [Ref, p. 442-3]

Children of Richard Walter and Margaret Unknown:

1. Margaret Walter was baptised on 8 Sep 1564. She was living in 1640. She married first John Barker. She married second Unknown Munnings.
2. Richard Walter was baptised on 16 Sep 1567. [Ref, p. 444] He was living in 1586. [Ref, p. 444] He was perhaps the Richard of Sudbury who died intestate in 1592, leaving a widow named Agnes. [Ref, p. 444]
3. John Walter was baptised on 1 Jul 1569. [Ref, p. 444] He was living in 1586. [Ref, p. 444]

Fourth Generation

JOHN BARKER (bp. 1563 - 1617) of Stoke Nayland

Parents: John Barker and Margaret

John Barker was baptised on 30 Apr 1563 as the son of John at Nayland. [Ref, p. 439] John Barker, householder, was buried on 10 Mar 1616/7 at Stoke Nayland. [Ref, p. 439] He married Margaret Walter on 29 Jun 1585 at Nayland. [Ref, p. 439]

John Barker was a clothier of Stoke Nayland. [Ref]

MARGARET WALTER (bp. 1564 - aft. 1640)

Parents: Richard Walter and Alice Unknown

Margaret Walter was baptised on 8 Sep 1564 as the daugher of Richard and Margaret Walter at Nayland. [Ref, p. 439] She was living in 1640. [Ref, p. 439] She married first John Barker on 29 Jun 1585 at Nayland [Ref, p. 439] . She married second Unknown Munnings of Gaines Colne, co. Essex, [Ref] now known as Colne Engaine. [Ref, p. 435]

Unknown Munnings (Mulling?) of Engaine, Colne, co. Suffolk was a farmer. [Ref]

Isaac Sterne of Watertown, late of Stoke Nayland, co. Suffolk, and his wife Mary, daughter of John Barker of Stoke Nayland appointed Thomas Gilson of Sudbury, co. Suffolk to collect five pounds from one Munnings of Gaynes, Colne, co. Essex, due on a bound given by Munnings before his marriage to Mary's mother, Margaret Barker. [Ref, 40;272]

Children of John Barker and Margaret Walter:

1. John Barker was baptised and buried as the son of John, Jr. on 22 Jun 1586 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439]
2. Margaret Barker was baptised on 31 Mar 1588 in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439]
   Margaret was named in her grandmother Barker's will.
3. Unknown Barker baptised about 1590 in Nayland? [Ref, p. 439]
4. John Barker was baptised on 28 Dec 1591 as the son of John in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439] He probably died young. [Ref, p. 439]
5. Thomas Barker was baptised on 29 Jan 1592/3 as the son of John in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439] Thomas Barker, householder, was buried on 26 May 1622. This might be this Thomas or is uncle. [Ref, p. 439]
   1. William Barker was buried on 8 Sep 1622. [Ref, p. 439]
6. Richard Barker was baptised on 15 Jul 1595 as the son of John in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439] Richard Barker, single, was buried on 28 Jun 1614. This might be this Richard or his uncle. [Ref, p. 439]
7. Samuel Barker was baptised on 14 Mar 1597/8 as the son of John in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439] He was buried on 11 May 1600 as the son of John. [Ref, p. 439]
8. Mary Barker was born about 1600. She died on 23 Apr 1677 in Watertown. She married Isaac Stearns.
9. Anne Barker was baptised on 4 Mar 1601/2 as the daughter of John in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439]
10. Unknown Barker was perhaps born about 1604? [Ref, p. 439]
11. John Barker was baptised on 22 Apr 1606 as the son of John in Nayland. [Ref, p. 439]

Fifth Generation

ISAAC STEARNS (c. 1590 - 1671) of Higham, co. Suffolk, Stoke Nayland and Watertown

Parents: Unknown

Signature from Isaac's will, five days before his death. [Ref, p. 452]

Isaac Stearns was born about 1590. [Ref, p. 435] He died on 19 Jun 1671 [Ref][Ref, pp. 1747-50] in Watertown. [Ref] He married Mary Barker [Ref][Ref, p. 44][Ref] [Ref, pp. 1747-50] on 20 May 1622 in Stoke Nayland, co. Suffolk, the parish adjacent to Higham. [Ref, p. 435]

Iaac was Higham, co. Suffolk. [Ref, p. 435] He was a tailor in Stoke Nayland. [Ref][Ref, pp. 1747-50]

Isaac probably came to New England in the Winthrop fleet. The first five ships departed from Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, on 8 Apr 1630 and arrived in Salem on 12 Jun. The other six ships sailed in May and arrived in June. The colonists moved from Salem to Charleston and then to Watertown where they settled. Isaac settled near Mount Auburn. [Ref, p. 435]

Isaac Stearns was on a trial jury on 3 May 1631. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was a freeman on 18 May 1631. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was a selectman on 8 Nov 1646 and 7 Nov 1670 in Watertown. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was on a committee to design a bridge on 28 Dec 1647. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was a fence viewer on 13 Jun 1648. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was a rater in 1652. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was a viewer of land on 3 Jan 1658/9. [Ref] The town meeting was held at his house on 8 Dec 1659 and 13 Dec 1670. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was a constable in 1659 - 1661. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was surveyor of highways on 12 Jan 1662/3. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was on a committee to speak with William Knopp about the education of his daughter. [Ref, pp. 1747-50]

Isaac was granted 50 acres in the Great Dividend on 25 Jul 1636. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He received 11 acres in the Beaverbrook Plowlands on 28 Feb 1636/7. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He received 11 acres in the Remote Meadows on 26 Jun 1637. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] He was granted a farm of 259 acres on 10 May 1642. [Ref, pp. 1747-50]

On 16 Apr 1664 Isaac Stearns of Watertown deeded to his son Samuel one messuage or tenement in Watertown that was Samuel's dwelling hose, containing a house and four acres and one parcel of five acres of meadow in the meadow called Nonesuch. [Ref, pp. 1747-50]

Isaac Stearns of Watertown signed his will on 14 Jun 1671; it was proved on Oct 1671. He left his entire estate to his wife Mary during her widowhood. He left bequests to his grandchildren, the son of his son John; his son Isaac Stearns; his son Samuel Stearns; his grandchildren, the children of his daughter Mary, naming her son Isaac Learned; hs daughter Sarah Stone; his daughter Abigail Morse; his kinsman Charles Stearns. He named his sons Isaac and Samuel his executors. [Ref, pp. 1747-50]

The inventory of Isaac Stearns, who had deceased on 19 Jun 1671, was taken on 28 Jun 1671. It amounted to 524 pounds and four shillings, of which 407 pounds was real estate. [Ref, pp. 1747-50]

"Probably all the families of the name Stearns in the United States are descended from three early immigrants, viz. Isaac or Charles, who settled in Watertown, or Nathaniel, who settled in Dedham." [Ref, p. 435]

MARY BARKER (c. 1600 - 1677) of Stoke Nayland and Watertown

Parents: John Barker and Margaret Walter [Ref, p. 435][Ref, pp. 1747-50]

Mary Barker was born about 1600. [Ref, p. 439] The widow Mary died on 23 Apr 1677 in Watertown. [Ref] She married Isaac Stearns [Ref][Ref, p. 44][Ref] [Ref, pp. 1747-50] on 20 May 1622 in Stoke Nayland, co. Suffolk. [Ref, p. 435]

"Goodwife Stearns Senior" was one of several Watertown residents warned for not "attending their seats in the meetinghouse appointed them by the town". [Ref, pp. 1747-50]

Children of Isaac Stearns and Mary Unknown:

1. John Stearns was baptised on 20 Apr 1623 in Higham. [Ref, p. 438] He probably died young.
2. Mary Stearns was baptised on 6 Jan 1625/6 in Nayland with Wissington. She died on 8 or 9 Jan 1663. She married first Isaac Learned. She married second John Burge.
3. Hannah Stearns was baptised on 5 Oct 1628 in Nayland with Wissington. [Ref][Ref, pp. 1747-50] She was buried on 17 Jun 1656 in Watertown. [Ref] She married Henry Freeman of Watertown on 25 Dec 1650 [Ref says the Watertown VR incorrectly call him Samuel][Ref] in Watertown. [Ref, "Samuel" ] Henry was the son of Samuel Freeman and Apphia Quicke. [Ref] He was born about 1625. [Ref] He died on 12 Nov 1672 in Watertown. [Ref] He married second Mary Sherman on 27 Nov 1656 in Watertown. [Ref] Mary was the daughter of Rev. John Sherman of Watertown. [Ref] She married second Lewis Allen of Watertown Farms. [Ref]
   Hannah left no children. [Ref, p. 438]
4. John Stearns died on 5 Mar 1667/8 in Billerica. He married first Sarah Mixer. He married second Mary Lothrop.
5. Isaac Stearns was born on 6 Jan 1632/3 in Watertown. [Ref][Ref, pp. 1747-50][Ref, s. Isaac and Mary] He died on 29 Aug 1676 in Watertown. [Ref] He married Sarah Beers on 28 Jun 1660 in Cambridge. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] Sarah was the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Beers. [Ref, p. 438] She died on 21 Jan 1723/4. [Ref, p. 438] Sarah married second as his second wife Sgt. Thomas Wheeler [Ref] of Concord. [Ref, p. 438] Thomas married first Sarah Merriam. [Ref] Sarah was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Goldstone) Merriam. [Ref]
   some descendants of Isaac Stearns
6. Sarah Stearns was born on 22 Sep 1635 in Watertown. [Ref, pp. 1747-50][Ref, d. Isaac and Mary] She died on 26 Oct 1700 [Ref, p. 438, 4 Oct] in Lexington (then Cambridge). [Ref] She married Samuel Stone on 7 Jun 1655 in Cambridge [Ref, pp. 1747-50][Ref] Samuel was the son of Gregory Stone [Ref, pp. 1747-50] and his wife Lydia. [Ref, p. 457] He was baptised on 20 Feb 1630/1 in Nayland, co. Suffolk. [Ref, p. p8] Dea. Samuel died on 27 Sep 1715 [Ref, p. 457] in Cambridge. [Ref] He married second Abigail (Carter) (Fowle) Walker of Woburn. [Ref, p. 457] Abigail died on 11 May 1718. [Ref, p. 457] She was the widow of Lieut. James Fowle and Dea. Samuel Walker. [Ref, p. 457]
   some descendants of Sarah Stearns
7. Samuel Stearns was born on 24 Apr 1638 in Watertown. [Ref][Ref, pp. 1747-50][Ref, s. Isaac and Mary] Corp. Samuel Stears died the "last of August" 1683 in Watertown. [Ref] He married Hannah Manning on 1 Feb 1662/3 in Cambridge. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] Hannah was the daugher of William and Dorothy Manning [Ref, p. 438] of Cambridge. [Ref, p. 454] She was born on 21 Jun 1642. [Ref, p. 454] She died on 26 Feb 1723/4. [Ref, p. 438] She might be the Hannah who married Thomas Biscoe on 24 Dec 1684 in Watertown. [Ref]
   some descendants of Samuel Stearns
8. Elizabeth Stearns was born about 1640. [Ref, p. 438] She died on 24 Jun 1671 in Billerica. [Ref, p. 438] She married Samuel Manning on 13 Apr 1664 in Watertown. [Ref, pp. 1747-50][Ref] Samuel was the son of William and Dorothy Manning. [Ref, p. 438] He died on 22 Feb 1710/1, age 67. [Ref, p. 438] He married second Abiah Wright. [Ref, p. 438]
   some descendants of Elizabeth Stearns
9. Abigail Stearns was probably born in 1642. [Ref, p. 438] She died on 16 Oct 1690. [Ref, p. 438] She married John Morse on 27 Apr 1666 in Watertown. [Ref, pp. 1747-50][Ref] John was the son of Joseph and Esther (Pierce) Morse. [Ref, p. 438] He was born on 28 Feb 1638/9, [Ref, p. 438] He died on 23 Jul 1702. [Ref, p. 438] He married first Ann Unknown. [Ref]
   Abigail is an ancestor of President Richard Nixon. [Ref][Ref]
   some descendants of Abigail Morse

Sixth Generation

MARY STEARNS (bp. 1626 - 1633)

Parents: Isaac Stearns and Mary Barker

Mary Stearns was baptised on 6 Jan 1625/6 in Nayland with Wissington. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] She died on 8 or 9 Jan 1663 [Ref, p. 43] in Chelmsford. [Ref, 8 Jan] She married first Isaac Learned on 9 Jul 1646 in Woburn. [Ref, pp. 1747-50, s. William] She married second John Burge, "late of Weymouth", [Ref] on 9 Jun 1662. [Ref, p. 43][Ref][Ref, p. 22] He died on 22 Oct 1678 in Dorchester. [Ref] John and Mary had no children. [Ref, p. 22] John married first Rebecca Unknown. [Ref] He married third Grissell Fletcher. [Ref] He married fourth Jane Gornell, the wealthy widow of John Gornell. [Ref]

The inventory of Mary's estate is dated 21 Dec 1663 and it amounted to 222 pounds. [Ref, p. 22] On 17 Apr 1664 the court allowed a division of the estate between John Burge and the children of Isaac Learned. [Ref, p. 22]

Mary is an ancestor of Leka I, King (Claimant) of Albania. See her first husband's entry.

JOHN STEARNS (d. 1668) of Watertown and Billerica

Parents: Isaac Stearns and Mary Barker

John Stearns died on 5 Mar 1667/8 in Billerica. [Ref, h. Mary] He married first Sarah Mixer by 1654. [Ref, pp. 1747-50] Sarah was the daughter of Isaac Mixer of Capel, England and Watertown and Sarah Thurston. [Ref] She died on 10 or 18 Jun 1656 in Billerica. [Ref, w. John][Ref, pp. 1747-50, w. John] He married second Mary Lothrop on 20 Nov 1656 in Barnstable. [Ref][Ref] Mary married second Lieut. William French on 6 May 1669 in Billerica. [Ref, wid.]

In his 8 May 1655 will, Isaac Mixer calls his daughter Sarah the wife of John Stearns. [Ref][Ref, pp. 1747-50]

John was one of the first settlers of Billerica. [Ref, p. 453] On 9 (9) 1658 the proprietors of Billerica met on Mr Dudley's farm and the inhabitants signed an agreement that those who had already taken up an allotment granted in town should be equally accomodated with upland and meadow as those on Mr Dudley's farm. William Chamberlain, John Stearns and George Farley were three of the three of the 18 signatories. [Ref]

John was a constable in Billerica in 1688. [Ref] John Stearns was a soldier in King Philip's War on 24 Jun 1676. [Ref] John and Samuel Stearns were soldiers at Watertown on 24 Aug 1676. [Ref]

Inventory was taken on John's estate on 23 Mar 1668/9. It amounted to pounds 390.18.4. [Ref, p. 453]

Children of John Stearns and Sarah Mixer:

1. Capt. John Stearns [Ref] was born in 1654 [Ref][Ref, pp. 1747-50, "second week of May"]; the first European born in Billerica. [Ref][Ref, p. 453] He died on 26 Oct 1728 [Ref, p. 453], age 74, in Billerica. [Ref, Capt.] He married first Elizabeth Bigelow. [Ref][Ref, p. 455, d. John and Mary (Warren)] John is mentioned in his father-in-law's will. Elizabeth died by 4 Jan 1708. [Ref] John married second as her second husband Joanna (Call) Parker. [Ref, 1;466][Ref, p. 455] She was born about 1659. She died on 4 Dec 1737, age 78, and is buried in the Bell Cemetery. [Ref, 1;466] She married first Jacob Parker. [Ref, p. 455]
   some descendants of John Stearns

Children of John Stearns and Mary Lothrop:

1. Isaac Stearns was born on 17 Apr 1658. [Ref, p. 45][Ref, p. 453] He died on 9 Oct 1659. [Ref, p. 453]
2. Samuel Stearns was born on 3 Sep 1659. [Ref, p. 453] He died in 1735, unmarried. [Ref, p. 453]
   Samuel was "disabled, probably lunatic". [Ref, p. 453]
3. Isaac Stearns was born on 23 Dec 1661 [Ref, p. 453] in Billerica. [Ref, s. John and Mary] He died in 1739. [Ref, p. 453] He married Mary Merriam. [Ref, p. 456]
   Isaac was apprenticed to his stepfather William French in 1675. [Ref, p. 453]
   some descendants of Isaac Stearns
4. Nathaniel Stearns was born on 30 Nov 1663 [Ref, p. 45][Ref, p. 453] in Billerica. [Ref, s. John and Mary] He died young. [Ref, p. 453]
5. Thomas Stearns was born on 6 Dec 1665 in Billerica. He died on 9 Feb 1696 in Billerica. He married Rebecca Chamberlain.

Seventh Generation

THOMAS STEARNS (1655-1697) of Billerica

Parents: John Stearns and Mary Lothrop [Ref][Ref, p. 45]

Thomas Stearns was born on 6 Dec 1665 [Ref][Ref, p. 45] in Billerica. [Ref, s. John and Mary] He died on 9 Feb 1696/7 [Ref] in Billerica. [Ref, h. Rebecca] He married Rebecca Chamberlain on 20 Jun 1688 in Concord. [Ref]

Thomas was apprenticed to his stepfather William French in 1675. [Ref][Ref, p. 453] Thomas was taxed on 24 Aug 1688 in Billerica. [Ref]

Thomas signed his will on 18 Nov 1690; it was deposed on 2 Mar 1702. [Ref] His will empowered his executors — his brother John Stearns and John Shed — to sell as much land as required to support his four daughters. [Ref]

Children of Thomas Stearns and Rebecca Chamberlain:

1. Rebecca Stearns was born on 23 Apr 1689 in Billerica. [Ref, d. Thomas and Rebecca]
   On 22 Jan 1711 Rebecca Stearns, along with Benjamin Frost and his wife Mary, sold "all title in the lands of [their] father, Thomas Stearns, of Billerica" to their stepfather George Farley. [Ref, p. 33]
   
2. Mary Stearns was born on 18 Jun 1792 in Billerica. [Ref, d. Thomas and Rebecca] She died in Oct 1725. [Ref, p. 33] She married Benjamin Frost [Ref, p. 453] on 21 Dec 1710. [Ref, p. 33] Benjamin was the son of James and Elizabeth (Foster) Frost of Billerica. [Ref, p. 33] He was born on 8 Mar 1688. [Ref, p. 33]
3. Sarah Stearns was born on 27 Apr 1694 in Billerica. She married Joshua Child.
4. Hannah Stearns was born in Aug 1696 in Bellerica. [Ref, d. Thomas and Rebecca]

Eighth Generation

SARAH STEARNS (b. 1694)

Parents: Thomas Stearns and Rebecca Chamberlain

Sarah Stearns was born on 27 Apr 1694 in Billerica. [Ref, d. Thomas and Rebecca] She married Joshua Child of Weston in Jan 1720/1 in Charlestown. [Ref]

Sarah owned the covenant on 19 Jun 1724. [Ref, p. 740] She was admitted to full communion on 11 Feb 1728. [Ref, p. 740] Joshua and Sarah were dismissed from the Watertown church to Worceter on 13 Jan 1733/4. [Ref, p. 740]

References

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Bodge, George, "Soldiers in King Philip's War," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, many volumes.

Bond, Henry, Family Memorials: Genealogies of the Families and Descendents of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, Including Waltham and Weston; to Which Is Appended the Early History of the Town, Vol. I, Boston, Little, Brown, and Company, 1855.

Clarke, George K., "New England Gleanings," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 40, 1886, 269-273.

Durrell, Harold Clarke, "William Stephenson Stearns," memoirs section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 93, 1939, 185.

Farwell, John Dennis, The Farwell Family: A history of Henry Farwell and his wife Olive (Welby) Farwell of Boston, England, and Concord and Chelmsford, Mass., 1605-1927, Orange, TX, F.H. Farwell and F.B. Farwell, 1929.

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Hoag, Ruth Wood, "Watertown Fidelity Men," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 54, 1900, 86.

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Huntington, E. B., A Genealogical Memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family in this Country: Embracing the descendants, as far as known, of The Rev. John Lothropp, of Scituate and Barnstable, Mass., and Mark Lothrop, of Salem and Bridgewater, Mass., and the first generation of descendants of other names, Ridgefield, CT, M. Huntington, 1884.

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Reitwiesner, William Adams, "A Hitherto Unnoted Descendant of Henry Adams of Braintree: Leka I, King (Claimant) of Albania," The American Genealogist 53, 1977, 18-20.

Stuart, Donna Valley, "Some Descendants of George Farley of Billerica," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 136 1982, 43 - .

Tarbox, Increase, "Dr. Josiah Atherton Stearns," Necrology section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 38, 1884, 101.

Threlfall, John Brooks, Fifty Great Migration Colonists to New England and their Origins, Westminster, MD, Heritage Books, 2008.

Trask, William B., comp., "Abstracts of the Earliest Wills from the Records and Files at East Cambridge, Mass., in the County of Middlesex," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 19, 1865, 42-43.

Van Wagenen, Avis Stearns, Genealogy and Memoirs of Isaac Stearns and his Descendants, Syracuse, Courier Printing Co., 1901.

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