Person Page

     Sarah Potter was born on 6 April 1724 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Stephen Soule, son of Jacob Soule and Rebecca Gifford, on 10 February 1745/46 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Phebe Sowle married Gideon Church on 29 January 1772 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She and Gideon may have had the following children: Sarah (b abt 1778, d 15 May 1854), Randal (b 6 January 1782), Abigail, Phebe, Fanny, Eliza (b 6 December 1792, d 4 April 1857), plus two additional sons and one daughter.¹

     Jacob Sowle was born about 1750 (based on his age at death of 75) in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Abigail Tripp, daughter of Joshua Tripp and Sarah Wilkeson, on 28 August 1783 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 15 April 1825 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     His will was dated 26 July 1810 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, and proved on 26 July 1825. It names his wife Abigail and sons Stephen, Avery, and Elisha.¹
     He and Abigail had the following known children, all born in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts: Stephen (b abt March 1790, d 12 November 1877), Elisha, John Avery (b abt 1795, d 1 June 1865).¹

     Oliver Sowle married first Eleanor Potter on 5 September 1776 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married second Susannah Trafford, daughter of Philip Trafford and Naomi Allen, on 12 November 1815 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He and his first wife Eleanor had the following known children: Jonathan (b 31 January 1780, d 25 March 1869), Tillinghast (b abt 1783, d 16 April 1864), Henry (b 7 July 1784, d 10 February 1845 (1854?), Rebecca (d 20 October 1821), Elizabeth, possibly George (d 23 January 1877), Abel (b 14 March 1797, d 6 September 1880), plus possibly three others.¹

     Benjamin Sowle was born about December 1767 (based on his age at death of 73 years, 2 months) in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Sarah Potter on 24 July 1793 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died on 12 February 1841.¹
     His will was dated 14 December 1840 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, and proved on 21 June 1841. It names his son Israel and daughters Ruby and Miriam.¹
     He and Sarah had the following known children, all born in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts: Israel Lawton (b 7 May 1795, d 28 April 1892), Miriam Potter (b 12 November 1798, d abt April 1859), Ruby (b 5 June 1802).¹

     Gideon Church married Phebe Sowle, daughter of Stephen Soule and Sarah Potter, on 29 January 1772 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He moved to Maine in 1799.¹ He and Phebe may have had the following children: Sarah (b abt 1778, d 15 May 1854), Randal (b 6 January 1782), Abigail, Phebe, Fanny, Eliza (b 6 December 1792, d 4 April 1857), plus two additional sons and one daughter.¹

     Abigail Tripp was born on 7 July 1757 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Jacob Sowle, son of Stephen Soule and Sarah Potter, on 28 August 1783 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She and Jacob had the following known children, all born in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts: Stephen (b abt March 1790, d 12 November 1877), Elisha, John Avery (b abt 1795, d 1 June 1865).¹

     Eleanor Potter married Oliver Sowle, son of Stephen Soule and Sarah Potter, on 5 September 1776 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     She and Oliver had the following known children: Jonathan (b 31 January 1780, d 25 March 1869), Tillinghast (b abt 1783, d 16 April 1864), Henry (b 7 July 1784, d 10 February 1845 (1854?), Rebecca (d 20 October 1821), Elizabeth, possibly George (d 23 January 1877), Abel (b 14 March 1797, d 6 September 1880), plus possibly three others.¹

     Susannah Trafford was born on 30 March 1766 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Oliver Sowle, son of Stephen Soule and Sarah Potter, on 12 November 1815 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Sarah Potter was born about April 1774 in "Richmond/Narragansett", Rhode Island.¹ She married Benjamin Sowle, son of Stephen Soule and Sarah Potter, on 24 July 1793 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died on 26 January 1838.¹
     She and Benjamin had the following known children, all born in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts: Israel Lawton (b 7 May 1795, d 28 April 1892), Miriam Potter (b 12 November 1798, d abt April 1859), Ruby (b 5 June 1802).¹

     Nathaniel Soule was probably born about 1637 in Plymouth, New Plymouth Colony (now Plymouth Co., Massachusetts).¹ He married Rose Thorn about 1680.¹ He died before 12 October 1699, when bond was posted for his widow Rose to be administrator of his estate.¹
     He was apparently a familiar figure in the Plymouth Colony General Court. In 1668 he was twice charged with telling a "pnisous" lie, once in March and again on 3 June, and was fined 10 shillings.¹ On 5 July 1671 he (then of Duxbury) and his brother George (of Dartmouth) filed a complaint against Giles Slocum for trespassing on their land in Dartmouth two years earlier.¹ And on 27 October 1685 he and George, along with others, filed claims for damages to their property that had been originally acquired by their father George on 29 November 1652.¹
     On 4 March 1673/74 he was charged with committing adultery with an Indian woman.¹ A year later, on 1 March 1674/75, both were sentenced to be whipped, and he was to pay 10 bushels of corn for support of the child.¹
     He died intestate. The inventory of his estate was filed on 12 October 1699, and bond was posted by his widow Rose, Nathaniel Soul, and Joseph Allen, with Rose named as administrator. His personal estate was divided on 15 May 1702, and officially approved on 10 September 1702, with his widow Rose receiving one third, and the remainder divided between his four sons, with the oldest son Nathaniel receiving a double share.
     The division of his real estate was postponed because his father George, the immigrant, had left his lands to his sons Nathaniel and George jointly as an undivided share, and had not yet been divided by the town's officials. The land was finally divided on 4 May 1708 between Nathaniel's sons Nathaniel, Sylvanus, and Jacob, George's sons William and Nathan, and George's son-in-law Joseph Davol.¹

     Rose Thorn was born about 1660.¹ She married Nathaniel Soule, son of George Soule and Mary Buckett, about 1680.¹
     Her given name also appears as Rosamond.¹
     Ridlon's genealogy includes a statement by Wesson Soule from his 1792 Account Book saying that his "great-grandfather George Soule" (the Mayflower immigrant) had a wife named Rosamond Thorn who died in her 104th year. This is obviously confused, since Rosamond was actually the wife of Wesson's grandfather Nathaniel, not his great-grandfather. Some writers have nevertheless accepted this as evidence that Nathaniel's wife Rose (or Rosamond) Thorn lived to her 104th year. However, no other records of her have been found after possibly 1726, when a Rose Soule was a witness to the marriage of Rose (Thorn) Soule's niece Sarah Soule and John Tibbets.^2,1

     Nathaniel Soule was born on 12 January 1681 in Dartmouth, New Plymouth Colony.² He married first Meribah Gifford, daughter of Christopher Gifford and Deborah Perry, on 20 July 1708 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He married second Hannah Macomber, daughter of William Macomber and Elizabeth Randall, on 13 February 1732/33 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He died in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, between 12 March 1764, when he made his will, and 26 May 1766, when his estate was ordered to be appraised.²
     On 30 January 1733/34 he and his second wife Hannah sold land in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, to the widow Bethiah Macomber.² He sold additional land in Dartmouth to Holden Slocum on 5 September 1738.² He also deeded land in Dartmouth to his son Jonathan on 3 July 1744², and to his son Wesson on 4 July 1761.²
     He served as a Justice of the Peace, performing marriages in Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, in 1765 and 1766.²
     His will was dated 12 March 1764 and proved on 30 June 1766. It names his sons Jonathan, Henry and his wife Barbrey, James and his wife Mary, and Wesson; grandsons Nathaniel and Henry, sons of Henry; and grandson James, son of Wesson.²

     Silvanus Soule married Sarah Slade, daughter of William Slade and Sarah Holmes, probably before 25 October 1709.² He may have died after 13 November 1761.³
     His father-in-law William Slade deeded 36 acres of land in Shawomet Precinct, Swansea, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, to him on 25 October 1709^2,4, plus additional land on 9 May 1715.² On 12 May 1715, and again on 9 May 1717, he and his wife Sarah mortgaged their land in Swansea.²
     By 1720 he and Sarah had moved to the Pocasset Purchase in Tiverton, Rhode Island Co. (now Newport Co.), Rhode Island.⁴ He bought three lots in Tiverton from Morris Tucker on 22 February 1720/21², and sold all three of his lots back in Shawomet Precinct to Joseph Chase on 18 January 1722/23.² He bought additional land in Tiverton from the widow Hannah Talman on 24 August 1729.² He held various offices in Tiverton, including selectman in 1727 and 1732.²
     In 1734 he took out a large mortgage on his house and lands, and lost almost everything three years later when the property was foreclosed by a court judgment.⁴

     Miles Soule was born about 1690 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., New Plymouth Colony.¹ He probably died before 6 June 1740.¹
     He was described as an "idiot," and was cared for after his father's death by his brothers Nathaniel and Jacob.¹

     Meribah Gifford was born on 31 October 1687 in Sandwich, Barnstable Co., New Plymouth Colony.¹ She married Nathaniel Soule, son of Nathaniel Soule and Rose Thorn, on 20 July 1708 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died about 1732 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Hannah Macomber was born on 8 November 1703 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Nathaniel Soule, son of Nathaniel Soule and Rose Thorn, on 13 February 1732/33 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹
     On 30 January 1733/34 she and her husband Nathaniel Soule sold land in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, to the widow Bethiah Macomber.¹

     Meribah Soule was born on 10 June 1709 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² She married William Taber, son of Philip Taber and Margaret Wood, on 25 October 1727 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² She died on 10 May 1730 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, at age 20.²
     She and William had one known child, Nathaniel (b 25 June 1728, probably d young).²

     Jonathan Soule was born on 3 March 1711 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He married Elizabeth Gifford, daughter of Jeremiah Gifford and Mary Wright, on 3 December 1731 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He died in Charlestown, Washington Co., Rhode Island, before 28 March 1782, when his will was proved.²
     On 3 July 1744 his father deeded land to him in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ On 11 January 1747/48 he and his wife Elizabeth sold this land, plus additional land in Dartmouth, to Christopher Gifford.² He bought land in Tiverton, Newport Co., Rhode Island, from Thomas Howland on 2 April 1765², and five years later, on 26 June 1771, he and Elizabeth sold this land to Benjamin Sheldon.² On 18 February 1769 he signed a receipt for land and personal property left to him by his father.²
     His will was dated 4 November 1780 and proved on 28 March 1782. He mentions his wife Elizabeth, deceased son Joseph, daughter Meribah Perry, and deceased daughter Sarah Tallman. His wife Elizabeth and brother James were named as executors.²
     He and Elizabeth had the following known children: Joseph, Meribah, Sarah, and possibly Jonathan.²

     Henry Soule was born about 1721 (based on his age at death of 83) in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He married Barbara Cottrell on 1 May 1743 in Newport, Newport Co., Rhode Island.² He died in June 1804 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.²
     On 1 September 1767 he signed a receipt for land and personal property left to him by his father.² He was a "gentleman, officer in the Colonial Militia and active merchant."² His estate was ordered to be inventoried on 2 October 1804, and the inventory was filed on 7 May 1805.²
     He and Barbara had the following known children, all born in Newport, Newport Co., Rhode Island: Merebah (b 18 November 1743), Gideon (b 2 March 1744/45), Nathaniel (b 7 January 1746/47), Henry (b 30 October 1748, d 19 September 1750), Jonathan (b 2 June 1750, d 22 September 1751), Sarah (b 13 December 1751), Henry (b 16 November 1752), Wickham (b 10 July 1758, d 27 July 1758).²

     James Soule was born in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He married Mary Williams, intentions published on 24 April 1746 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.³ He died on 7 March 1793 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.³
     His will was dated 25 April 1791 and proved on 7 October 1794. It names his wife Mary, and Mary Clannen (or Channing).³

     Wesson Soule was born on 8 January 1734/35 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He married first Ruhama Hicks, daughter of William Hicks and Ann Durfee, intentions published on 22 September 1753 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He married second Sarah Wilbor, daughter of Aaron Wilbor and Mary Church, on 10 December 1772 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² In 1795 Sarah sued for divorce, which was denied "because the testimony indicated that her own life had not been without reproach." Later, on 1 December 1796, The Vermont Gazette stated that Wesson had petitioned the court in Rutland Co., Vermont, for a divorce, charging her with deserting him on or about 28 May 1774 (22 years earlier), and of "being guilty of the horrid crime of adultry with sundry persons."^3,2 He married third Philena Manchester, daughter of John Manchester and Mary Brownell, on 24 August 1803 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.² He died on 21 March 1825 in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, at age 90.²
     On 27 March 1756 his first wife Ruhama petitioned the court that he be formally named as her guardian, so that they could receive her share of her deceased father's estate.²
     On 4 February 1767 he signed a receipt for land and personal property left to him by his father.² On 8 March 1797 he sold his 50-acre farm in Westport, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, to Hiram Sowle Manchester (his son by his future third wife Philena).²
     His will was dated 24 September 1804 and proved on 26 July 1825. It names his wife Philena, Hiram Sowle Manchester, son James, daughter Mary Allen, daughter Elizabeth Earl, deceased daughter Anna Wood, deceased daughter Barbara Davis, Elizabeth Austin, Gardner Davis, and many grandchildren.²
     He and his first wife Ruhama had the following known children: Anna (b 7 September 1757), Barbara (b 2 August 1759), James (b 25 May 1761), Elizabeth (b 13 October 1763), William (b 9 July 1765, d bet 22 and 30 June 1780), Mary (b 25 May 1767), and possibly Gardner (b abt 1770, d bef 24 September 1804).²
     He and his third wife Philena had the following known children, all born before their wedding: Hiram Sowle/Manchester (b 6 December 1774), Mary Manchester (b abt 1776, d 30 September 1778), Charles Manchester (b abt 1778, d abt 1830), Philena Soule Manchester (b abt 1780, d 4 November 1845).²

     William Taber was born on 18 February 1704/5 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married first Meribah Soule, daughter of Nathaniel Soule and Meribah Gifford, on 25 October 1727 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married second Hannah White on 27 December 1730 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.¹ He died at age 53 on 3 April 1758, when his second wife Hannah refused administration of his estate.¹
     He and his first wife Meribah had one known child, Nathaniel (b 25 June 1728, probably d young).¹ He and his second wife Hannah had the following known children: Meribah (b 1731), Thomas (b 1732/33), Philip (b 1734), Hannah (b 1735/36), Job (b 1737).¹