General Notes

b. aby 1580 at Henlow, Bedfordshire

From Lincoln's History of the Town of Hingham:36
      "William, the ancestor of all who have borne this surname in Hingham and vicinity by birth, was probably from the western part of England, where, according to tradition, one or more of his daughters was married. The precise date at which he came to New England is unknown. It is certain, however, that he was a residnet of Dorchester as early as 1635, and probably a widower, as no mention is made of his wife either upon Dorchester or Hingham records. The following parcels of land were granted to him at Dorchester, in 1637, viz.: 'Jan. 2. It is ordered that Good: Lane shall haue one acre [at] the little neck towards the harbor.' On the 18th of March following, he had two additional grants of between six and seven acres; and at his decease he bequeathed to daughter Mary Long 'my great lot' of about 24 acres. He also bequeathed to Thomas Rider 'my Sonne in Law' and daughter Elizabeth his wife 'my new dwelling-house' in Dorchester with all the outhousing, gardens, etc. Also to his sons and sons in law, a specified sum to each, in silver. He died about 1654. His will, proved 6 July of that year, mentions two sons and four daughters, all probably born in England."