Person Page

     Matthias Puffer was born on 5 February 1715/16 in Stoughton, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married first Rebecca Esty, daughter of Isaac Estie and Abigail Kimball, on 7 April 1743 in Stoughton, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married second Priscilla Hubbard.¹ He married third Bathsheba Estie.¹ He died in Sharon, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.¹
     He and his first wife Rebecca had the following known children: Matthias (b 8 March 1743/44), Mary (bap 11 March 1743/44), Rebeccah (b 1745), Abigail (bap 3 April 1748), Isaac (bap 15 July 1750), Benjamin (bap 9 September 1753).¹

     Mary Towne was born on 23 June 1681 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married James Cloyse, son of Peter Cloyse and Hannah Littlefield, about 1701 in Framingham, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She died before 11 January 1730/31, when her father made his will.¹

     Anna Nichols was baptized on 30 August 1696 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married William Vining, son of William Vining and Abigail Eldridge, on 18 October 1723 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She is believed to have died about 1742 in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.²
     After their marriage, she and her husband William probably moved with her parents to Sutton, Suffolk Co. (now Worcester Co.), Massachusetts; they were clearly living there by 1728.² In August 1735 Anna's sister Phebe was paid £1 by the town for caring for their family.²
     She and William had the following known children, probably all born in Sutton, Massachusetts: John (b 1726, d bef 6 July 1801), Jesse (b abt 1730, d 26 June 1800), Thomas (b abt 1730), Jeptha (b 15 February 1737/38, d 9 December 1797).²

     Isaac Nichols was baptized on 27 July 1701 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Sarah Wilkins, daughter of Henry Wilkins and Sarah Wilkins, on 1 February 1726/27 in Boxford, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He died between 24 August 1756, when he made his will, and 21 September 1756, when it was proved, in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.²
     His will was dated 24 August 1756 in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, and proved on 21 September 1756. His real estate and clothing were to be divided among his sons Henry, Isaac, and William. He also left money to all his children. His son Henry was named administrator, and was to care for (his wife's sisters) Elizabeth and Ruth Wilkins for the rest of their lives.²
     He and Sarah had the following known children, all born in Sutton, Massachusetts: Sarah (bap 8 December 1728, d young), Mary (b 5 February 1729/30), Henry (b 17 March 1731/32, d 19 November 1814), Sarah (b 13 Sep 1734), Isaac (b 13 May 1737, d 6 January 1822), William (b 1 November 1739), Joanna (b 21 March 1741/42), Abigail (b 12 May 1744), Anne (bap 19 July 1747), Benjamin (b 12 October 1750, d 9 May 1826).²

     Mary Nichols was baptized on 27 July 1701 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Constant Nichols was baptized on 17 August 1701 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Jonathan Nichols was baptized on 17 October 1703 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married Mary Phelps on 24 May 1731 in Middleton, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²
     He and Mary had the following known children, all born in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts: Luce (b 13 July 1733), Hulda (b 13 June 1736), Jonathan (bap 1 July 1739), Elijah (bap 26 December 1742), David (bap 23 March 1745/46), Rachel (bap 11 June 1749), Hannah (bap 3 October 1756), Molly (bap 3 October 1756).³

     Elizabeth Nichols was baptized on 16 December 1705 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Phebe Nichols was baptized on 7 July 1707 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     In August 1735 she was paid £1 by the town of Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, for caring for her sister Anna and her family.²

     Elizabeth Nichols was baptized on 30 June 1711 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married William Stockwell, son of William Stockwell and Elizabeth Shaw, on 4 December 1733 in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.²
     She and William had the following known children, all born in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts: Absolom (bap 18 April 1742), Elizabeth (bap 18 April 1742), Jonathan (bap 18 April 1742), William (bap 26 September 1742, d 18 January 1810), Peter (bap 8 September 1745, d 4 October 1823), Phebe (bap 14 May 1749).²

     Thomas Nichols was baptized on 21 September 1712 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married first Rachel Nichols on 4 October 1733 in Middleton, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married second Martha Prince, daughter of Joseph Prince and Elizabeth Robinson, on 22 December 1747 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² He married third Keziah Towne, daughter of William Towne and Margaret Wilkins, on 9 December 1762 in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.² He died on 17 December 1794 in Worcester, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, at age 82.²
     His will was dated 22 December 1792. To his wife Keziah he left the clothing, furniture, and household goods that she brought into their marriage, plus half of the indoor moveables, a cow, and a food allotment. His daughters Betty and Rachel, or their heirs, were left £7 and £13, respectively. His son Thomas was named executor, and was left the remainder of the estate.²
     He and his first wife Rachel had two known children, Betty (bap 24 December 1739), and Sue (bap 16 January 1742/43, d young), both born in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.²
     He and his second wife Martha had three known children, all born in Sutton, Worcester Co., Massachusetts: Thomas (bap 9 April 1749, d young), Rachel (bap 20 January 1754), Thomas (b 31 August 1755).²