Elizabeth HENSHAW

Other Events:

• _UID: 5BFEC55A573E48939BDD74A992E08A49C2D0

Other Events:

• _UID: 3437B55DB2BD447ABA3E57DE219B7F1C2ED2

Notes:

[mtunnell.ged]

He was born in the house owned by his parents in Boston o
n the corner of
Hayward's Place and Washington (then Newberry) St.
He and Elizabeth were joined in marriage by the Rev. Benjamin Colman,
pastor of Brattle Street Church, Boston. A few years afterwards, on Jan.
16, 1742, her father gave them a house and property on Sudbury Street.
Joshua rose in prominence and wealth.
On March 2, 1764, he was chosen first on the list of Selectmen, then the
chief elective office in Boston. As war clouds gathered, he caught the
eye of John Hancock who asked him to sit with him on several committes to
discuss unfolding events such as the Boston Massacre. Joshua had
sufficiently read the law to act as counsel at these functions, and was
assisted in that endeavor by John Adams. He was also a member of the
(pre-Revolutionary) House of Representatives.
When the British occupied Boston, Joshua was compelled to move to
Leicester, in Worcester County, Massachusetts. where he brother Daniellived. He then
moved to Dedham, where he spent his last few years as an invalid. He died
there August 5, 1777 at the house of Hon. Sam. Dexter.

Joshua married Elizabeth BILL on 27 Dec 1733 in Brattle St. Ch., Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard BILL and Sarah DAVIS) was born in 1712; died on 28 Sep 1782 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: KLVQ-JZS
• _UID: EF37262ED49A48D18CC9DFD7D0748D8966D5

Other Events:

• AFN: 94QD-GW
• FamilySearch ID: L7GH-C6F
• Name: Richard Bell
• Name: Richard Bills
• Occupation: Merchant
• _UID: 42DEFE02AE0F435297B87F6675380D91F14C
• Residence: 1685, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Notes:

[hatherly.ged]

owner of Spectacle Island

Richard married Sarah DAVIS on 30 Jun 1709 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Colony. Sarah (daughter of Benjamin DAVIS and Sarah RICHARDS) was born on 16 Aug 1683 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America; was christened on 19 Aug 1683 in Old South Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America; died on 24 Apr 1727 in British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• AFN: 94QD-H3
• FamilySearch ID: 9D38-SZD
• _UID: 6F922B9DF8324680B563BE52E85E719E3678
• Residence: 1683, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LHDW-NWB
• _UID: C6CFED9F3F224BA0BAF42FEFD50B2FA9F13F

Notes:

BEF. 1705 owned Spectacle Island-Boston Harbor

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

SPECTACLE ISLAND lies in Boston harbor 3 1/2 miles from the wharf,
between Castle and Long Islands. It was, for the most part, in the
possession of the Bill family for about three quarters of century. The
first record of sale or transfer to this family of which there is any
positive knowledge, is a deed of three lots granted by James Bill, of
Pulling Point, to Thomas Bill, of Boston, bearing date Dec. 13, 1666.The
above Thomas Bill and his wife Abigail Bill, by deed in 1680, conveyed
all their interest in Spectacle Island (about 35 acres) to their son
Samuel Bill. He subsequently became possessed of the entire Island,and
it was known for many years after by the name of "Samuel Bill's Island."
He continued in the ownership up to the time of his decease, August 18,
1705, when two thirds of it passed by will into the hands of his son,
Samuel Bill, Jr.
At a later date, this son acquired absolute title and held it up to
1729-30, when it passed into the possession of his brother, Richard Bill,
of Boston. It was during the ownership of Samuel Bill, Sr., in theyear
1684, when the titles by which the Colonists held their lands werelikely
to be put in jeopardy, in consequence of the insidious counsel of some of
the resident authorities of the home government, that the following deed
from an Indian Chief called Josiah or Wamputuck, and several of his
counsellors, was thought useful.
Note:
"To all Christian People to whom these presents shall come. JOSIAH,son
and Heyer, of Josiah otherwise called Wamputuck, late Sachem of the
Massachusetts Country in New England, Sendeth Greeting:--Know ye thatI
the said Josiah, son of Josiah, for diverse causes and good
considerations me thereunto moving, and in particular for and in
consideration of a valuable consideration of money to me in hand payd
before the ensealing of this deed by Samuel Bill of Boston, Butcher, HAVE
with knowledge and consent of my wise men and Councellors, WillamAhaton,
Sen., William Ahaton., Jun., and Robert Mamentaug, Given, granted,sold,
enfeoffed, and confirmed, and by these presents Do fully, freely and
absolutely give, grant, sell, enfeoffe, convey and cofirme unto thesayed
Samuel Bill his heyeres and Assignes forever one certain Island,Scituate
in the Massachusetts Bay, commonly known and called by- the name of
Spectacle Island in the present possession of the same Bill, with all
rights, priveledges and appurtenances thereunto in any wise appertaining
and belonging. To have and to Hold the same and every part and parcel
thereof unto Him the same Samuel Bill his Heyeres and Assigns to his andtheir sole
Use and benefit, in firm and indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee
Simple forever. And the said Josiah for himself his heyeres,Executors,
Administrators and successors, doth hereby covenant and promise to
The said Samuel Bill his heyers and Assigns, that at the time of the
ensealing and delivery of these presents that (according to Indianright
and title) he is sole owner and proprietor of the said Island, andhatch
fill power and authority to sell and convey the same as above sayd,and
that the sayd bargained Island with all its priveledges, rights and
appurtenances belonging, will and doth unto the sayd Samuel Bill, his
heyers and Assigns forever sufficiently warrant and defend against
himself his heyers and successors, and against all and every otherperson
whomsoever having, claiming or pretending to have or claim and Indian
right, title or interest in or to the same or any part or parcelthereof.
In witnesse whereof the said Josiah and his counsellors above sayd
have hereunto put their hands and seals this thirtieth day of April,in
the year one thousand six hundred eighty-four.
Note:
Signed, sealed and delivered JOSIAH his mark ===o
(L.S.)
in the presence of WILLIAM
HAHATON (L.S.)
George Merriott OLD WILLIAM his
A mark AHATON (L.S.)
Experience Fisher * ROBERT
MAMENTAUG his Z mark (L.S.)
Note:
Josiah, Indian Sachem, and his Counsellors acknowledged this to betheir
Act and Deed, May 1st, 1684, before me,
William Stoughton

Samuel married Elizabeth WEBSTEAD in 1682 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Elizabeth was born on 21 Feb 1657 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died on 25 Nov 1730 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LWSB-D9K
• _UID: C8B6E9E580AA4603B83678BDF84CDB97987A

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: 2Z38-7KY

Benjamin married Sarah RICHARDS. Sarah was born on 23 Feb 1661 in Warwickshire, England; died on 28 Aug 1690. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: 2Z38-7VF