Person Page

     Ichabod Towne was born on 26 October 1775 in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹ He married Prudence Albee in Thompson, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹

     Rachel Towne was born on 10 January 1779.¹ She married Alpheus Albee in Thompson, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹

     Abigail Towne was born on 22 April 1782.¹ She married Hezekiah Converse, son of Chester Converse and Esther Green, on 27 February 1805.^2,1 She died on 6 March 1865 at age 82.²

     Hezekiah Converse was born on 9 September 1784.¹ He married Abigail Towne, daughter of Joseph Towne and Abigail Thompson, on 27 February 1805.^1,2 He died on 30 September 1830 at age 46.¹

     Benjamin Bixby was probably born about 1653 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married first Mary (?) probably sometime between July 1674 and 1676, as he was unmarried in July 1674, and his first child was born probably in 1676.¹ He married second Mary (?).¹ He died sometime between 5 March 1726/27, when he sold land in Topsfield, and 11 July 1727 when he was described as being "late of Topsfield, deceased," probably in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     The Bixby genealogy by Willard Bixby says that "it is thought he was twice married, both wives being named Mary." His widow's name was definitely Mary, as she is named in the deed to the land in Topsfield that he sold on 5 March 1726/27, in the records of the sale of land by her son Nathan on 17 January 1732/33 when she released her dower in the estate, and in her release from the Topsfield church to the one in Killingly in 1738. It is hypothesized that he married Mary Kimball, born 29 November 1641, based on ties between the Bixby and Kimball families, and on the naming of his first child Caleb, which is described as being unusual in Topsfield familes at the time, except in the Kimball family. It's further hypothesized that this Mary Kimball was probably not the same person as his widow Mary, since she would have been too old to have been the mother of his last few children, and age 97 when released to the church in Killingly. There is about a ten-year gap between the births of his second and fourth child, and it is presumed that he married a second wife named Mary during that time.¹
     In 1677 and 1678 he took the oath of allegiance in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ On 3 October 1687 he paid tax of 3s 6p, for one head (i.e., a poll tax), a house with three acres of land, 4 cows, 3 sheep, and 14 hogs.¹ In 1688 he paid 3s 1p in poll tax, and £17 in estate tax.¹ Between 1692 and 1712 he served in various offices in Topsfield.¹
     He bought 32 acres in Topsfield from his father Joseph Bixby, by a deed "sealed 2 March, 1689," and acknowledged 8 July 1696.¹
     On 2 November 1722, joined by his second wife Mary, he granted his son Nathan half of his property, about 50 acres, plus the house where Nathan was then living. Nathan was also granted the remaining half, provided he maintained his parents, paid their funeral expenses, and paid £5 to his sisters Mary, Elizabeth, and Jemima, and £1 to his brothers Caleb and Samuel. Nathan was also to inherit his father's rights to the common lands in Topsfield.¹ Having disposed of his property, Benjamin Bixby died without leaving a will.¹

     Mary (?) married Benjamin Bixby, son of Joseph Bixby and Sarah Riddlesdale, probably sometime between July 1674 and 1676.¹

     Mary (?) married Benjamin Bixby, son of Joseph Bixby and Sarah Riddlesdale.¹

     Caleb Bixby was born about 1676, probably in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Sarah Blanchard, daughter of George Blanchard and Sarah (?), on 17 July 1723 in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹ He died on 14 July 1754 in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹
     He served in the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia in 1704.¹ He probably moved with his brother Samuel to Sutton, Massachusetts, in 1716.¹ He sold property there in 1721, 1724, and 1729.¹ Later, on 30 March 1738 he sold 45 acres in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, to John Towne, Jr., for £370.¹ On 20 March 1738 he bought land in Thompson Parish, Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹ He was admitted to the church there that same year.¹
     His will was dated 11 January 1750/51, and proved 6 August 1754. He left all of his estate to his wife's brother William Blanchard, who in exchange was to care for him and his wife during their remaining years. His estate consisted of his house and lands, valued at £50, and other property valued at £35.¹
     He and his wife Sarah had no known children.¹

     Sarah Blanchard was born about 1690.¹ She married Caleb Bixby, son of Benjamin Bixby and Mary (?), on 17 July 1723 in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹ She died on 17 December 1766 in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut.¹
     She was admitted to the church in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut, on 9 January 1754.¹ She and her husband Caleb had no known children.¹

     Benjamin Bixby was born on 26 November 1678, probably in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Martha Lamson, daughter of John Lamson and Martha Perkins, before 1704.² He died on 1 December 1744 in Killingly North Parish (now Thompson), Windham Co., Connecticut, at age 66.²
     He moved to Lynn, Essex Co., Massachusetts, by 1708.² He was elected hayward there that year, and again in 1710.² On 12 January 1712/13 he bought four acres of meadow land in Reading, Essex Co., Massachusetts, from Adam Hart, which he sold three years later.² He and his wife Martha were admitted to the church in Reading on 19 April 1716.²
     He and Martha moved to Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut, about 1717.² They were dismissed from the church in Reading on 20 October 1717, and admitted to the church in Killingly on 26 January 1717/18.² They settled in an area called Brandy Hill, and built a house there, on the east side of Boston Rd., in 1719. Their house was described as the "last out-post of civilization on the road from Connecticut, and was much frequented by travelers, Indians, and lawless borderers."² From May 1728 to July 1728 he served as deputy from Killingly to the General Assembly.² On 25 November 1728, at the first meeting of the newly-established North Parish in Killingly, he was chosen as one of the four townsmen. He was also named to a committee charged with building a church and choosing a minister.² When the church was established on 25 March 1730 he was chosen as deacon.²
     At the death of his brother Samuel in 1741 he was named guardian of Samuel's son Samson.²
     The inclusion of Mary and Keziah as children of Benjamin Bixby and Martha Lamson is based primarily on their baptism dates. However, in the records their father is listed as simply Benjamin, not Benjamin Jr., and the printed records generally are clear in distinguishing the two. This Benjamin's father, Benjamin (Sr.), did have a daughter named Mary. It's thus possible that Mary and/or Keziah were actually children of Benjamin Bixby (Sr.), not Benjamin Bixby and Martha Lamson.³

     Joshua Bixby was probably born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Mary Davis on 2 April 1714.¹ He died "an ancient man" on 9 June 1754.¹ He was buried on 10 June 1754.¹
     His widow Mary was granted administration of his estate on 7 October 1754.¹

     Mary Davis married Joshua Bixby, son of Benjamin Bixby and Mary (?), on 2 April 1714.¹

     Samuel Bixby was probably born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He was baptized on 2 June 1689 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Martha Underwood, daughter of Thomas Underwood and Mary Palmer, on 14 May 1718 in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut.² He probably died early in 1741.²
     He was one of the original 30 settlers that came to Sutton, Massachusetts, in 1717. The town had been authorized in 1704, but settlers weren't available until after 1713 when Queen Anne's War ended. Land totaling 4000 acres was allocated to the 30 settlers, with each receiving a 40-acre home lot, and a share in the remaining 2800 acres of common land. Samuel's brother Caleb came to Sutton with him, and stayed for some time.² He sold his common land rights to John Stockwell on 20 February 1718/19.²
     The inventory of his estate was given by his brother Benjamin of Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut, on 30 April 1741 and totaled £635. On 13 May 1741 Benjamin was formally appointed administrator of the estate, and guardian of Samuel's 10-year-old son Samson. John Stockwell was appointed guardian of Samuel's son Jonathan.²

     George Bixby was born on 31 January 1692 probably in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He was baptized on 7 February 1691/92.¹ He married first Mary Bayley on 6 August 1718.^2,3 He married second Sarah Goodhue, daughter of John Goodhue and Sarah Sherwin, on 25 May 1769 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,4 He died on 3 May 1783 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 91.³
     After their marriage, George Bixby and his first wife Mary lived in Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ They were admitted to the church there on 10 May 1719.³ Also in 1719, he and Mary were appointed administrators of the estate of Joseph Porter, father of Mary's first husband Joseph Porter, after she submitted proof that the interests of her minor children by Joseph weren't being served by the original administrators.³ They moved to Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, about 1731, as George is referred to as being "of Topsfield" in June 1731.³ He joined the church in Topsfield, where he became a deacon.³
     He was quite "prosperous and respected," and owned land in both Topsfield and Boxford.³ In 1738 he was appointed to a committee of trustees that was to receive land donated to the town by Joseph Reddington for a new school.³
     On 4 May 1751 he deeded 37 acres, half of his house, plus other buildings, to his son Daniel. He also deeded half of the 57 acres he had received from Jacob Reddington, along with the building there except for the school, to his son Benjamin.³
     His will was dated 8 May 1780, and proved on 3 June 1783. His estate was valued at £588 19s.³

     Nathan Bixby was born on 16 November 1694, probably in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He was baptized on 4 November 1694 (sic).¹ He married Abigail Rogers on 25 November 1718.² He died in 1776, probably early in the spring.²
     In 1733 Nathan Bixby sold his property in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, for £652.¹ As part of this, he sold several parcels to Rev. John Emerson, pastor of the Topsfield church, and his wife and mother released their dower rights to the property.² He then moved to Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut, probably taking his mother with him.¹ He was dismissed from the church in Topsfield to the Second church in Killingly on 3 June 1733. He was very religious, and sometimes referred to as "Saint Nathan."² In 1737 he bought land in Thompson, Windham Co., Connecticut.²
     His will was dated 30 March 1758 and proved on 6 May 1776. His estate was inventoried on 17 April 1776, and valued at £196 6s 6p. His son Nathan was left his 30-acre farm, his other children having already been granted their shares, and his library and clothing were divided among his sons Amos, Abijah, Nathan, and Solomon.²

     Elizabeth Bixby was born on 10 November 1697, probably in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She married Richard Towne, son of Thomas Towne and Sarah French, on 5 December 1722 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,3 She died on 6 December 1735 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 38.¹

     Jacob Bixby was born on 29 April 1700, probably in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married first Elizabeth Jewett, daughter of Isaac Jewett and Dorcas Hovey, on 4 February 1731 in Thompson, Windham Co., Connecticut.² He married second Sarah Younglove, daughter of John Younglove and Jemima (?), on 2 January 1758 in Thompson, Windham Co., Connecticut.² He died on 26 March 1776 at age 75.²
     He bought a tract of land in Killingly, Windham Co., Connecticut, on 26 December 1721.² On 1 February 1728 he made an additional, larger, purchase of land in Killingly.² Since he was still described as being of Salem at the time, he probably moved to Killingly about 1729.² He lived in Thompson Parish, about a mile east of Brandy Hill.² In 1732 he joined the church in Thompson Parish.² In 1760 he was appointed tythingman.²
     He injured his spine in a fall from a load of rye in August 1775 and never fully recovered.²
     His will was dated 14 November 1775, and proved on 25 April 1776. He left his wife 1/3 of his estate for as long as she remained a widow, plus all the goods she owned at the time of their marriage. The rest of his estate was divided among his sons Jacob, Daniel, Moses, Samuel, and Younglove. His sons were to pay £6 8s to each of his daughters Jemima and Hannah. His 80-acre farm was valued at £300, and the entire estate was inventoried at £473 7s 2p.²

     Benjamin Bixby was born on 18 May 1704.¹ He was baptized on 21 May 1704 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He probably died young.¹

     Martha Bixby was born on 29 June 1705.¹ She was baptized on 1 July 1705 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Mary Bixby was baptized on 4 May 1707 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Stephen Comins.¹

     Stephen Comins married Mary Bixby, daughter of Benjamin Bixby and Martha Lamson.¹

     John Bixby was baptized on 17 July 1709 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Jemima Green.¹

     Jemima Green married John Bixby, son of Benjamin Bixby and Martha Lamson.¹

     Keziah Bixby was baptized on 4 July 1711 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹