Person Page

     John Albro was born about 1620 (listed as age 14 on the passenger list of the ship Francis in 1634, and as age 95 or 96 at his death in 1712).¹ He married Dorothy (?) by abt 1645.^1,2 He died on 1 December 1712 or 17 December 1712 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island Co. (now Newport Co.), Rhode Island.¹ He was buried in his own orchard.³
     He emigrated in 1634 from Ipswich, England, to New England on the ship Francis, as a servant to William Freeborn.^1,3 He and Freeborn settled initially in Boston, Massachusetts,¹ but moved to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, by 1639¹ when he was granted land there, provided he build on it within a year.^1,3 He was also granted six acres of swampland on 19 January 1651/52 "in lieu of what the town oweth the said John," 32 acres were laid out to him on 20 November 1657, and "the grass at Dyer's Island" was granted to him and William Corry in the spring of 1661.¹
     He served in the militia in Portsmouth, and was chosen as Sergeant on 13 March 1644/45, Lieutenant by April 1653, Captain by May 1677, and Major by 27 December 1680. He was elected as Major for the Colony on 3 May 1682.¹
     He became a freeman in Portsmouth in 1655^1,3, and was very active in the civic affairs of the town throughout his life. He was Deputy to the General Court for twelve sessions between 1660 and 1683, Assistant on nine occasions between 1671 and 1685, and town meeting moderator more than thirty times between 1675 and 1693. He was on juries in May 1649 and July 1650, grand juries in February 1661/62, March 1661/62, and October 1663, and a coroner's jury in 1661. He also served as Cattle viewer in 1649 and 1650; Clerk of weights and measures in 1649 and 1650; Rate maker in 1651, 1662, 1675, and 1681; Town councillor from 1656-84; Lot-layer and surveyor from 1657-78 and 1693-94; Auditor in 1661, 1668, 1681, and 1683; Commissioner to secure Indians in March 1675/76; and Recorder of highways in 1680. In 1687 he was a member of Sir Edmund Andros' Council at their first meeting in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.
     He served on several committees, including committees to collect contributions for agents in England in 1661, to prevent destruction of common timber in 1667, to determine the suitability of future freemen in 1674, to direct the watch of the island due to King Philip's War in 1676, to deal with the "injurious and illegal acts of Connecticut" in 1677, to settle accounts with Newport in 1678, to lay out the western boundary of the colony in 1679, to lease Hog Island in 1680, to determine the site for a water mill in February 1682/83, to enlarge the town in January 1684/85, to go to Boston to report on the affairs of Hog Island in 1687, and to control the common lands in 1690. He also served three times on committees charged with retrieving the colony's Charter and other government papers, once from the former governor and twice from widows of governors who died in office.^1,3
     His will was dated 28 December 1710 and proved 12 January 1712/13. The executors were his daughter Susannah and her husband John Anthony. To his son John he left land, a cow, and two napkins. To his daughter Mary Hicks he left a cow and two napkins. To his daughter Elizabeth Congdon he left 50s in silver money, a bolster case, a pair of sheets, and two pewter platters. To his daughter Susannah Anthony he left two cows and a heifer, a feather bed, a warming pan, stillyards, a spice mortar, a brass kettle, a lanthorn, an old brass kettle, a little brass kettle, a little iron pot, and a skillet. He also left all his rights in the Misquamicut purchase equally to his sons John and Samuel. His grandsons John and Albro Anthony received about 30 acres of land and housing. If either wanted to sell, he was to sell to the other. If his daughter Susannah Anthony, John and Albro's mother, were to outlive her husband, she was to have equal rights to this house and land. John and Albro also each received a bed and chest, and in addition John received five sheep and a bible. His granddaughter Sarah Anthony received £80, a looking glass, a chest, two pewter platters, and five sheep. He also left 40s to be equally divided between the children of his son John, 50s to be equally divided between the children of his son Samuel, and an additional 16s to his granddaughter Dorothy Bentley. The remainder of his moveable estate went to his daughter Susannah.^3,1

More Information / Background

• Puritan migration to New England (1620–1640)
  
• New England's Great Migration
  
• John Albro (settler)
  
• King Philip's War.
  

     Dorothy (?) was born in 1617.³ She married first Nathaniel Potter.^1,3 She married second John Albro by abt 1645.^1,2 She died on 19 February 1696/97 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.¹

     William Congdon was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island.² He married first Mary Brownell, daughter of Robert Brownell and Mary (?), on 3 March 1693.² He married second Margaret (?).³ He died in 1761.²
     In his father's will, dated 2 July 1715 and proved 10 Dec 1718, he was left just 5s because he had previously received a portion of the estate.⁴
     His own will was dated 1 June 1754 and proved 9 February 1761. His son Joseph was executor, to whom he left all his lands and estate. To his wife Margaret, for as long as she remained a widow, he left the use of three cows, a riding horse, two hogs, two feather beds, and the use of the largest room in their house, with thirty bushels of corn and ten cords of firewood annually. His daughter Margaret received £150, two feather beds, and the use of a room in the house and a horse for as long as she remained single. His daughter Elizabeth received £100, and his daughter Abigail Reynolds received £150 and a feather bed. His granddaughter Susanna Congdon was to receive £100 and a feather bed at age 18. He left £700 to his son William, and £20 to each of William's children. He left the rest of his household goods and personal estate to his wife and three daughters, and the rest of his money to his daughters. His estate was valued at £3,433 10s 11d, and included clothing worth £80, two woolen wheels, a bay horse, three cows, a hog, various fowl, a warming pan, and a negro man named Bristow.²

     Mary Brownell married William Congdon, son of Benjamin Congdon and Elizabeth Albro, on 3 March 1693.¹ She is presumed to have died before 29 January 1718, the date of her father's will, since he left £5 to each of her three children, but no legacy to her.¹

     Margaret (?) married William Congdon, son of Benjamin Congdon and Elizabeth Albro.² She died after 1754.¹
     In her husband's will, dated 1 June 1754 and proved 9 Feb 1761, she was left, for as long as she remained a widow, the use of three cows, a riding horse, two hogs, two feather beds, and the largest room in their house, with thirty bushels of corn and ten cords of firewood annually. She and her husband's three daughters were also left what remained of the household goods and personal estate after the other bequests were satisfied.¹

     Joseph Congdon was probably born about 1696 in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.³ He married Mary Wickham on 27 June 1723.⁴ He died on 11 September 1783.⁵
     He was the executor of his father's will, dated 1 June 1754 and proved 9 Feb 1761, and was left all of his father's lands and estate.¹ He and Mary had the following known children, all born in South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island: William (b 1 June 1724), Barbara (b 8 or 18 May 1726), Mary (b 28 July 1730), Samuel (b 18 February 1733).⁶

     William Congdon was born on 25 January 1698 (or possibly 5 January) in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.³ He married Mary (?).²
     In his father's will, dated 1 June 1754 and proved 9 Feb 1761, he was left £700.¹ He and Mary had the following known children, recorded at South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island: Mary (b 5 June 1729), Robert (b 27 January 1733), Sarah (b 9 May 1733 [1735?]).²

     In her father's will, dated 1 June 1754 and proved 9 Feb 1761, she was left £150, two feather beds, and the use of a room in the house and a horse for as long as she remained single. Her father also left what remained of his household goods and personal estate after the other bequests were satisfied to his wife and three daughters, and the rest of his money to his daughters.¹

     She was named in her father's will, dated 1 June 1754 and proved 9 Feb 1761, and was left £100. Her father also left what remained of his household goods and personal estate after the other bequests were satisfied to his wife and three daughters, and the rest of his money to his daughters.¹

     Abigail Congdon married (?) Reynolds.¹
     She was named in her father's will, dated 1 June 1754 and proved 9 Feb 1761, and received £150 and a feather bed. Her father also left what remained of his household goods and personal estate after the other bequests were satisfied to his wife and three daughters, and the rest of his money to his daughters.¹

     (?) Reynolds married Abigail Congdon, daughter of William Congdon.¹

     Benjamin Congdon married Frances Stafford, daughter of Joseph Stafford and Sarah Holden, on 1 December 1701.¹ He died between 15 January 1756 and 11 October 1756.¹
     In his father's will, dated 2 July 1715 and proved 10 Dec 1718, he was left just 5s because he had previously received a portion of the estate.²
     On 14 February 1712 he bought 57 acres in Mashantatack, Providence Co., Rhode Island, from Abel Potter and Abel's mother Rachel for £200. The next year he bought 3 more acres from them for £3.¹ On 11 February 1713 he sold 60 acres and a mansion house in Mashantatack to his brother James.³
     He was a member of the Town Council in 1721, and Town Sergeant in 1723.¹
     In 1742 he deeded land on Congdon Hill, near the family burial ground, to his son Stukeley. In 1744, Stukeley deeded this land back, and received in its place some land near his father's house.⁴ In Stukeley's will, probated in 1746, Benjamin was named guardian of Stukeley's two children.⁵
     His own will was dated 15 January 1756 and proved in North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island, on 11 October 1756. He left land in Boston Neck, where he was living, to his son John, "he paying £500 to my son Benjamin, and £400 to second son Joseph." He left £40 to the nine daughters of his deceased son William. To his grandson John Congdon, son of his deceased son James, he left land in Exeter. He also left land to his grandson Stukely Congdon, and to his daughter Elizabeth Sweet. Other legacies were left to his daughters Frances Gardner and Mary Brown, and to Mary Brown's eight children.⁶

     Frances Stafford was born in 1679.² She married Benjamin Congdon, son of Benjamin Congdon and Elizabeth Albro, on 1 December 1701.¹ She died in 1774.²

     Benjamin Congdon was born on 20 October 1702 (or possibly 2 October) probably at North Kingstown, Rhode Island.² He was married by Elisha Cole, assistant, to Elizabeth Sweet, daughter of Benoni Sweet, on 22 November 1722 in North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.³
     He moved to Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1760.⁴ His father, in his will dated 15 January 1756 and proved 11 Oct 1756, left land in Boston Neck to his brother John, "he paying £500 to my son Benjamin ...".⁵ His own will was dated 1777.⁶
     He and Elizabeth had the following known children, recorded at North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island: Elizabeth (b 28 May 1723), Margaret (b 6 November 1727), Benjamin (b 28 November 1730, d bef 1777), Joseph (b 4 [or 11] April 1734), Frances (b 7 [or 17] July 1737), James (b 3 October 1743).⁷

     Frances Congdon was born on 6 December 1703 (or possibly 6 October) probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² She married Stephen Gardner, son of Stephen Gardner and Amy Sherman, about 1722.³
     She was named in the will of her father, dated 15 January 1756 and proved 11 Oct 1756.⁴ She and Stephen had the following known children: Frances (b 7 June 1723, d 27 June 1786), Amy (b 17 February 1725), Lydia (b 20 March 1727, d 22 October 1804), Esther (b 26 December 1729), Sarah (b 10 February 1731), Hannah (b 7 November 1733), Stephen (b 27 March 1735, d August 1811), Mary (b 20 December 1737, d 26 June 1786), Thomas (b 4 September 1740), Mehitabel (b 11 November 1745).³

     Stephen Gardner was born on 24 February 1704 in Narragansett, Rhode Island.¹ He married Frances Congdon, daughter of Benjamin Congdon and Frances Stafford, about 1722.¹ He died in 1776 in Gardners Lake, Connecticut.¹
     He and Frances had the following known children: Frances (b 7 June 1723, d 27 June 1786), Amy (b 17 February 1725), Lydia (b 20 March 1727, d 22 October 1804), Esther (b 26 December 1729), Sarah (b 10 February 1731), Hannah (b 7 November 1733), Stephen (b 27 March 1735, d August 1811), Mary (b 20 December 1737, d 26 June 1786), Thomas (b 4 September 1740), Mehitabel (b 11 November 1745).¹

     Joseph Congdon was born on 15 February 1705 probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² He married Martha Wells on 9 January 1728/29.² He died in 1779.³
     His father, in his will dated 15 January 1756 and proved 11 Oct 1756, left land in Boston Neck to his brother John, "he paying ... £400 to second son Joseph".⁴ His own will was proved (sic; should this be "dated"?) on 11 August 1777.³ He and Martha had the following known children: Freelove (b 28 March 1730), Benjamin (b 28 August 1732), Joseph (b 29 April 1734), James (b 26 April 1738). P. F. Pierce lists children Benjamin, George, Stukely, John, and James.⁵

     John Congdon was born on 23 September 1706 probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² He was married, by William Hall, Justice of the Peace, to Patience Northrup, daughter of Henry Northrup and Mary (?), on 16 November 1727 in North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.³ He died on 15 October 1764 at age 58.⁴
     In his father's will, dated 15 January 1756 and proved 11 Oct 1756, he was left land in Boston Neck, "he paying £500 to my son Benjamin, and £400 to second son Joseph".⁵ He and Patience had the following known children: Mary (b 12 December 1728), Frances (b 1 September 1730), Esther (b 28 July 1733), John (b 21 or 28 February 1735/36, d 3 January 1798), Patience (b 25, 28, or 29 September 1738), Sarah (b 15 August 1741), Abigail (b 21 May 1749 or 1747).⁶

     Sarah Congdon was born on 26 June 1708 probably in North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.¹ She may have died before 15 January 1756, as she is not mentioned in her father's will of that date.²

     William Congdon was born on 6 November 1711 probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² He was married by Daniel Coggeshall, Justice of the Peace, to Ann Gifford, daughter of Yelverton Gifford and Ann Northrup, on 30 March 1732 in North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island.³ He died on 14 October 1755 at age 43.²
     He served as town Sargent in 1747.⁴ His will was proved in November 1755. He left a 100-acre farm near Bissells Mills to his son William, and other land to his sons Stephen and James.⁴
     He and Ann had the following known children: Ann (b 28 February 1733 or 29 February 1732), Hannah (b 25 March 1735), William (b 29 December 1736, d 15 March 1815), Frances (b 11 January 1739), James (b 28 March 1741, d 16 February 1829), Patience (b 24 February 1743), Susannah (24 August 1744), Mercy (b 30 April 1747), Stephen (b 17 May 1748), Mary, Dorcas, Yelverton (b 20 January 1754, d 18 October 1754), Sarah (b 19 March 1755). P. F. Pierce lists the first five of these, plus a son Joseph (b 24 February 1743) and a daughter Mercy (b 30 January 1750). He also lists Patience's birth date as 30 April 1746, and does not list Yelverton.⁵

     James Congdon was born on 15 May 1713 probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.¹ He was married by William Spencer, Justice of the Peace, to Mary Vaughn on 30 March 1732 in North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island.² He died on 21 December 1740 at age 27.³
     He and Mary had two known children, Elizabeth (b 26 August 1732) and John (b 5 May 1734).⁴

     Elizabeth Congdon was born on 8 April 1715 probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² She married Sylvester Sweet.¹
     In the will of her father, dated 15 January 1756 and proved 11 Oct 1756, she received some land.³

     Sylvester Sweet married Elizabeth Congdon, daughter of Benjamin Congdon and Frances Stafford.²

     Mary Congdon was born on 10 March 1718 probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² She married (?) Brown.¹
     She was named in the will of her father, dated 15 January 1756 and proved 11 Oct 1756.³ She and her husband had at least eight children.¹

     (?) Brown married Mary Congdon, daughter of Benjamin Congdon and Frances Stafford.¹
     He and Mary had at least eight children.¹

     Susannah Congdon was born on 7 February 1720 probably at North Kingstown, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² She married Thomas Northrup.³ She may have died on 3 November 1740 in North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island, at age 20. She is not mentioned in her father's will, dated 15 January 1756, and the North Kingstown records show a Hannah, daughter of Benjamin and Frances Congdon, who died on 3 November 1740.²