Tilley Pearsall Genealogy Database

Person Page 428

William Tilley

M, #10678, b. 1690

Parents

FatherJohn Tilley (b. about 1665)
MotherHonour (d. June 1722)

Family: Dorcas Earle (b. 10 April 1705)

SonDeac. William Tilley+ (b. 19 October 1738, d. 14 April 1825)

Biography

Birth1690William Tilley was born in 1690 in Ideford, Devonshire, England. The father is listed as John Tilley and the mother Honour in the Church Register baptism entry.

R. Hammett Tilley believed that Deacon William's grandfather was named William, not John, and was from Exeter. However, in other respects this family fits the known facts.1,2,3
Baptism19 March 1690He was baptized on 19 March 1690 in Ideford, Devonshire, England.3
Immigrationbefore 1717He immigrated before 1717 to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Based on the fact that his cousin's will in 1717 calls him "William Tilley Junr. of Boston aforesaid, Rope-maker." R. Hammett Tilley says that William the Rope-maker had sent for three sons of his brother, to come to America to assist him.1
Bequest14 November 1717He was mentioned in the will of William Tilley, the Ropemaker, on 14 November 1717 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. In the name of God, Amen. This fourteenth day of November, Anno Domini One thousand seven hundred and seventeen, I, William Tilley of Boston, in the County of Suffolk in New England, Rope-maker, being of sound Disposing mind and memory, tho' visited with sickness and considering that the time of my abode here in this world is short, and to be very uncertain, Do therefore make and ordain this my last, Will and Testament in manner following, That is to say --
First of all I commend and resign my spirit into the Hands of God my Heavenly Father hoping to obtain the Pardon of my many fold Transgressions and to Inherit Eternal Life thro the Merits Death and passion and prevailing intercession of my Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; my Body I desire may be Decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executrixes and as touching such Temporal Estate as God in his Providence hath Betrusted me withal I will and Dispose thereof in the following manner and form, viz. --
Imprimis -- I will that all my just Debts and Funeral Expences be well and truly paid within convenient time after my Decease.
Item. I give unto my Brother John Tilley living at Edford in Devonshire in Great Britain the sum of twenty pounds and to all his Children which shall survive me and be living at Great Britain at the time of my death the sum of three pounds a piece.
Item. I give to my sister Elinor Tilley of Edford aforesd. Ten Pounds.
Item. I give to my cousin William Tilley Junr. of Boston aforesaid Rope-maker the sum of Twenty pounds, and forgive him what he ows me by Book or otherwise.
Item. I give to my son in Law Jonas Clark of sd Boston Brasier the sum of Twenty Pounds In token of my Good will towards him all which Legacys are to be paid within one year after my decease in Bills of credit on this Province.
Item. I give to my kinsman James Tilley (who now lives with me) the sum of fifty pounds to be paid when and so soon as he attains the age of twenty one years.
Item. I give five pounds to the poor of the South Church of Boston, to which I belong, and order my Executors to pay the said sum to my Overseer Daniel Oliver Esqr., to be distributed by him to such of them as he shall think fit and requisite.
Item. My will is That my Loving wife Abigail Tilley shall forever have hold Enjoy and Convert to her own use all such estate as I may any ways lay any claim to by virtue of my marriage to her so that she hath free liberty to Dispose of every thing that she hath or is in my possession, that was her late Fathers or Mothers who are both deceased. And further my will is That my wife shall have the free use Income and Improvement of One half of all my estate as well Real as personal so long as she continues my widow. But in case of her Inter marriage I only Give her the use and benefit of one third party of my Estate from thenceforth and for so long time after as she shall live.
Item. I give Devise and Bequeath unto my two Daughters Isabella Armitage and Grace Clarke and to their Heirs and assigns forever to be Equally Divided between them All the remainder of my Estate as well Real as Personal wheresoever the same is lying or may be found, and also what shall remain upon the Inter marriage or Decease of my wife -- Only it is to be understood That in case my said Daughters shall dye without Issue Then I give unto my two cousins William Tilley and James Tilley aforenamed and to their heirs and assigns forever in Equal halves All my Ropewalk in Boston aforesd. with the work house and buildings thereto appertaining and all the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging and which were by me usually therewith used occupied and enjoyed.
Lastly. I do hereby ordain and appoint my Loving wife and Daughters Isabella and Grace Executrixes of this my last will and my worthy friends Daniel Oliver and William Welsteed Esqrs. overseers thereof Declaring and making void all former and other wills by me made In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first before written.
WILLIAM TILLEY (SEAL)

Signed sealed and delivered Published and Declared by the Testator, to be his last will and Testament in presence of us witnesses, the workd (Inter marriage or) being first interlined.
EDWD. GRAY, SAML. ADAMS, SAMUEL TYLEY JUNR.
Church Affiliation1719As of 1719, William was affiliated with New South Church, in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. There was a William Tilley admitted into full Communion with the Church on 4 Oct 1719. Possibly this could have been the same person.
Relocationbefore 1738Before 1738, William Tilley moved to Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island. Based on the fact that his son was born in Newport in 1738. Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island (p. 1683) says he removed to Newport in 1732.
Last Edited12 February 2021

Citations

  1. [S985] R. Hammett Tilley, Genealogy of the Tilley Family (Newport, R.I.: John P. Sanborn, Steam Book and Job Printer, 1878), p. 6; digital images, Internet Archive, archive.org (https://archive.org/details/genealogyoftille1878till/page/n4/mode/1up : accessed
  2. [S841] , Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island: Volume III (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1908), p. 1683; digital images, (https://archive.org/stream/representativemebyu03jhbe#page/n6/mode/1up : accessed
  3. [S971] MA. BD., Rector of Ideford Rev. H. F. Fulford Williams, "Registers of the Parish of Ideford, Devon, 1598 - 1840", transcribed march-april 1952, Filmed by LDS, Film# 917151, Batch C05120-1. Ideford begins at image 331 of 512., Online at Familysearch.org., p. 38.

Dorcas Earle

F, #10679, b. 10 April 1705

Parents

FatherJoseph Earle (b. about 1668, d. 1756)
MotherElizabeth Slocum (b. 8 April 1671)

Family: William Tilley (b. 1690)

SonDeac. William Tilley+ (b. 19 October 1738, d. 14 April 1825)

Biography

Birth10 April 1705Dorcas Earle was born on 10 April 1705 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts.1,2
Last Edited14 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S144] Milton Popple Tilley, compiler, Ancestral Lines of Milton Popple Tilley, Progeny and Ancestry of Milton Popple Tilley of New Canaan, Connecticut (: Self Published, 1 Jan 1965). Hereinafter cited as Ancestral Lines of Milton Popple Tilley.
  2. [S684] Massachusetts Town Records, Dartmouth TR, Film 903382/81, Batch C50003-3: No image, FHC only; familysearch.org database

Joseph Earle

M, #10680, b. about 1668, d. 1756

Parents

FatherRalph Earle, III (b. before 22 April 1632, d. 14 April 1718)
MotherDorcas Sprague (b. about 1632)

Family: Elizabeth Slocum (b. 8 April 1671)

DaughterDorcas Earle+ (b. 10 April 1705)

Biography

Birthabout 1668Joseph Earle was born about 1668 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island.1
Death1756He died in 1756 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island,2
Last Edited14 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S761] "WikiTree", database, WikiTree (www.wikitree.com), Earle-11; submitted, [contact information for private use]
  2. [S144] Milton Popple Tilley, compiler, Ancestral Lines of Milton Popple Tilley, Progeny and Ancestry of Milton Popple Tilley of New Canaan, Connecticut (: Self Published, 1 Jan 1965). Hereinafter cited as Ancestral Lines of Milton Popple Tilley.

Elizabeth Slocum

F, #10681, b. 8 April 1671

Parents

FatherGiles Slocum, Jr. (b. 25 March 1647, d. about December 1713)
MotherAnne Lawton (d. before 23 November 1704)

Family: Joseph Earle (b. about 1668, d. 1756)

DaughterDorcas Earle+ (b. 10 April 1705)

Biography

Birth8 April 1671Elizabeth Slocum was born on 8 April 1671 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts.1,2
Family Note10 December 1713Date: 10 December 1713 Mentioned in will of father: Elizabeth's father's will bequeaths to his daughter as "Elizabeth Earll" 21 acres of land in Dartmouth to her husband "Joseph Earle." He writes "also I give to my daughter Elizabeth my Negro woman Bess and one Good pair of Sheets."
Last Edited15 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S144] Milton Popple Tilley, compiler, Ancestral Lines of Milton Popple Tilley, Progeny and Ancestry of Milton Popple Tilley of New Canaan, Connecticut (: Self Published, 1 Jan 1965). Hereinafter cited as Ancestral Lines of Milton Popple Tilley.
  2. [S781] James Newell Arnold, Compiler, Rhode Island Vital Extracts, 1636-1850: 21 vols (Providence, RI: Narragansett Historical Publishing Co., Between 1891 and 1912), Vol 7, Friends Records, p. 75; online database, ancestry.com, ancestry.com ( : Viewed on americanancestor.org NEHGS website

Ralph Earle, III

M, #10682, b. before 22 April 1632, d. 14 April 1718

Family: Dorcas Sprague (b. about 1632)

SonJoseph Earle+ (b. about 1668, d. 1756)

Biography

Birthbefore 22 April 1632Ralph Earle, III, was born before 22 April 1632 in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England.1
MarriageBY 1659He and Dorcas Sprague were married BY 16592,3
Death14 April 1718He died on 14 April 1718 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts,4
Burial1718He was buried in 1718 at Earl Family Cemetery in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Last Edited16 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S964] England; familysearch.org database
  2. [S640] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Vols 1-3, 1634-1635, Vols 1-6, ancestry.com (Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Between 1996 and 2011), Vol. 3, P-W, p.1727
  3. [S966] Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages Prior to 1700, 2011 (Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1962); online images, NEHGS, americanancestors.org (https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/new-england-marriages-to-1700/about : accessed Vol 1, p. 490
  4. [S963] "Family Search Online One-World Family Tree", database, Family Search, Ancestry.com (familysearch.org), Ralph Earle LD5P-ZWX; undocumented and unnamed family tree submitted;

Dorcas Sprague

F, #10683, b. about 1632

Parents

FatherFrancis Sprague (b. about 1590)

Family: Ralph Earle, III, (b. before 22 April 1632, d. 14 April 1718)

SonJoseph Earle+ (b. about 1668, d. 1756)

Biography

Birthabout 1632Dorcas Sprague was born about 1632 in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
MarriageBY 1659Ralph Earle, III, and she were married BY 16591,2
Last Edited14 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S640] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Vols 1-3, 1634-1635, Vols 1-6, ancestry.com (Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Between 1996 and 2011), Vol. 3, P-W, p.1727
  2. [S966] Clarence Almon Torrey, New England Marriages Prior to 1700, 2011 (Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1962); online images, NEHGS, americanancestors.org (https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/new-england-marriages-to-1700/about : accessed Vol 1, p. 490

Francis Sprague

M, #10684, b. about 1590

Family:

DaughterDorcas Sprague+ (b. about 1632)

Biography

RelocationBY 1638BY 1638, Francis Sprague moved to Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.1
Birthabout 1590He was born about 1590 in England. As of 2020 there is an extensive Sprague website called The Sprague Project.

A quotation from that website addresses Francis's possible origins in England: "This name does not occur in the Leyden Archives, and in addition to this it is of great rarity in England. Early settlers of the name emigrated from Dorset to New England but no other occurrence of it is known.  It appears as Spragg and sometimes as Sprake, and such few instances of its occurrence are found in the counties of Devon and Somerset.  As none of the passengers [of the Anne] have been traced to the West Country it is probable that this emigrant was a transient resident in London whence most of this company came.  As two daughters shared with him in the 1627 division and he had a son-in-law in 1644 it is probable that he was married and past middle life when he emigrated.
    The occurrence of the name of Spragg at Knutsford, CountyChester, whence some other emigrants to New England,indicates a possible connection between him and Tatliffe and Hilton who preceded him in the Fortune
Immigration1623He immigrated in 1623 to Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, from England on the Anne.1
Last Edited14 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S640] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Vols 1-3, 1634-1635, Vols 1-6, ancestry.com (Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Between 1996 and 2011), Vol. 3, P-W, p.1725

Giles Slocum, Jr.

M, #10685, b. 25 March 1647, d. about December 1713

Parents

FatherGiles Slocum, Sr. (b. 1623)
MotherJoan Cook?

Family 1: Anne Lawton (d. before 23 November 1704)

DaughterElizabeth Slocum+ (b. 8 April 1671)

Family 2: Mary Paine

Biography

Birth25 March 1647Giles Slocum, Jr., was born on 25 March 1647 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island.
Marriage26 May 1669He and Anne Lawton were married on 26 May 1669 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island,1
Marriage23 November 1704He and Mary Paine were married on 23 November 1704 in Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, by Joseph Sheffield, Assistant. Mary Paine, Giles' second wife, was about 30 years younger than her husband, and survived him by almost 50 years.

Mary and Giles had 5 children.1
Deathabout December 1713He died about December 1713 in Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island,1
Last Edited15 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S968] Jane Fletcher Fiske, "The Family of Giles Slocum of Dartmouth, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island: A Corrected Account Based on New Evidence", Rhode Island Roots, 19 (1993) (americanancestors.org), p. 13+

Anne Lawton

F, #10686, d. before 23 November 1704

Parents

FatherThomas Lawton (d. 27 September 1681)
MotherElizabeth Salsburie

Family: Giles Slocum, Jr., (b. 25 March 1647, d. about December 1713)

DaughterElizabeth Slocum+ (b. 8 April 1671)

Biography

Marriage26 May 1669Giles Slocum, Jr., and Anne Lawton were married on 26 May 1669 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island,1
Deathbefore 23 November 1704She died before 23 November 17041
Last Edited15 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S968] Jane Fletcher Fiske, "The Family of Giles Slocum of Dartmouth, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island: A Corrected Account Based on New Evidence", Rhode Island Roots, 19 (1993) (americanancestors.org), p. 13+

Giles Slocum, Sr.

M, #10687, b. 1623

Family: Joan Cook?

SonGiles Slocum, Jr.+ (b. 25 March 1647, d. about December 1713)

Biography

Birth1623Giles Slocum, Sr., was born in 1623 in Old Cleeve, Somerset, England.1
ImmigrationHe immigrated
Marriageabout 1642He and Joan Cook? were married about 1642 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island, Or perhaps in Taunton.
Last Edited19 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S967] G. Andrews Moriarty, "Additions and Correction to Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island", The American Genealogist, 20 (1943) (americanancestors.org), Vol 20, p.115

Joan Cook?

F, #10688

Family: Giles Slocum, Sr., (b. 1623)

SonGiles Slocum, Jr.+ (b. 25 March 1647, d. about December 1713)

Biography

Marriageabout 1642Giles Slocum, Sr., and Joan Cook? were married about 1642 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island, Or perhaps in Taunton.
Last Edited15 November 2020

Mary Paine

F, #10689

Family: Giles Slocum, Jr., (b. 25 March 1647, d. about December 1713)

Biography

Marriage23 November 1704Giles Slocum, Jr., and Mary Paine were married on 23 November 1704 in Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, by Joseph Sheffield, Assistant. Mary Paine, Giles' second wife, was about 30 years younger than her husband, and survived him by almost 50 years.

Mary and Giles had 5 children.1
Last Edited15 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S968] Jane Fletcher Fiske, "The Family of Giles Slocum of Dartmouth, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island: A Corrected Account Based on New Evidence", Rhode Island Roots, 19 (1993) (americanancestors.org), p. 13+

Thomas Lawton

M, #10690, d. 27 September 1681

Family: Elizabeth Salsburie

DaughterAnne Lawton+ (d. before 23 November 1704)

Biography

Bio DetailSee attached details from Rhode Island Roots.1,2
Baptism17 April 1614Thomas Lawton was baptized on 17 April 1614 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. Father listed as George Lawton.

According to Ancestral Lines Revised (Carl Boyer 3rd, 1981, pp. 278-279, his mother was Isbell (Smith) Lawton. According to the same source, Thomas married first, 29 May 1634, Elizabeth Salsburie, in Cranfield. This source was quoted in Rhode Island Roots, Vol 13, June 1987, p. 41.3
Marriage29 May 1634He and Elizabeth Salsburie were married on 29 May 1634 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England,
Immigration1638He immigrated in 1638 to Rhode Island1
Death27 September 1681He died on 27 September 1681 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island,
Last Edited19 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S969] Claire Gilbert Dietz, "Early Rhode Island Settlers: Thomas Lawton", Rhode Island Roots, 13 (Mar 1987) (americanancestors.org), p.2
  2. [S761] "WikiTree", database, WikiTree (www.wikitree.com), "Thomas Lawton (bef. 1614-bef/ 1681), ID=10", https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lawton-10; submitted, [contact information for private use]
  3. [S964] England, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, Linked to Thomas Lawton MDGY-6DY Family Search entry; familysearch.org database

Elizabeth Salsburie

F, #10691

Family: Thomas Lawton (d. 27 September 1681)

DaughterAnne Lawton+ (d. before 23 November 1704)

Biography

Marriage29 May 1634Thomas Lawton and Elizabeth Salsburie were married on 29 May 1634 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England,
Last Edited19 November 2020

John Tilley

M, #10692, b. about 1665

Parents

FatherJohn Tilley, Sr. (b. about 1635)

Family: Honour (d. June 1722)

DaughterJane Tilley (b. 1689)
SonWilliam Tilley+ (b. 1690)
SonJohn Tilley+ (b. 20 December 1694)
SonGeorge Tilley+ (b. 29 September 1697, d. 12 October 1761)
DaughterSarah Tilley (b. 17 March 1698, d. October 1699)
SonThomas Tilley (b. 12 September 1700)
DaughterMary Tilley (b. 6 October 1702, d. January 1719)
SonJames Tilley, Sr.+ (b. 16 January 1703/04, d. after 26 October 1757)
DaughterMartha Tilley (b. 1 January 1705, d. August 1706)
R Hammett Tilley's sketch of the early Tilley generations

Biography

NoteR. Hammett Tilley in his 1878 Genealogy of the Tilley Family shows the father of William Tilley the Rope-maker as John Tilley, and shows the father of the rope-maker's 3 cousins as William.

However, the baptism and birth records in the Ideford parish register list all the children of his uncle with a father of John Tilley, of which three were the cousins who came from England to work with him in the rope-works.

So it is possible that due to the long passage of time and the many repetitions of the same names, that the names of the two brothers got reversed by future generations.
Family NoteThe relationship of John Tilley, father of this big family in Ideford, to William Tilley the Ropemaker of Boston, is not clear. At the time, the word "cousin" was used more broadly to mean relative, kinsman, and not necessarily just "child of a sibling of my parent."

R. Hammett Tilley lists a William Tilley as the father of the family in Ideford, although we have the church register to show that their father was named John. Was that John the brother to whom William Tilley the Ropemaker refers in his will? Were the boys who came from Ideford to help in his ropeworks not his cousins, but his nephews?

Also, in Search Catalog on familysearch, the early parish records are film # 005750582. May not be indexed. This is original pages. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93K-29MY-F?cat=1834051
Birthabout 1665John Tilley was born about 1665 in Devonshire, England. His youngest child listed in the Ideford parish register was born in 1689. Therefore a birth around 1665 - 1669 would put him in his early 20's when his first child was born, if Jane was his first child.
Last Edited28 August 2021

John Tilley, Sr.

M, #10693, b. about 1635

Family:

SonWilliam\John Tilley, Jr.+ (b. about 1620)
SonJohn Tilley+ (b. about 1665)

Biography

NoteI am adding the suffix Senior to distinguish this John Tilley from his son and grandsons of the same name. I have seen no other record of this John Tilley except for R. Hammett Tilley's chart in his Genealogy of the Tilley Family.
Locale DescriptionSee Attached map.
Birthabout 1635John Tilley, Sr., was born about 1635 in Devonshire, England. This is a placeholder person, to be able to connect the Boston Tilley cousins to the Newport Tilley cousins.
AnecdoteFebruary 1884February 1884: R. Hammett Tilley wrote an inquiry to the Western Antiquary (Devon and Cornwall Notebook)(available in Google Books), pl 211:

"TILLY Family: In the October and November numbers of your interesting magazine, I notice communications relative to the "Tilly" family. I would much like to correspond with the parties interseted iin the commun ications mentioned, as I am compiling a history of the "Tilley," "Tyley," "Tilly," family. I find that William Tilley, of Ideford parish, Chudleigh, came to America about 1670, leaving at Ideford a brother John, a record of whose children (except the eldest, William) has been kindly furnished me by the rector of that parish. About 1700, three nephews of the above-named William (namely, William, John, and James) came over to reside with their uncle at Boston, Massachusetts. The uncle died 1717, leaving a will, a copy of which I send you. I have also an old copy of the arms, brought over by the uncle, on the back of which is the following endorsement: "Arms of Tilley, of Exeter, Devon."
I would much like to know something more of this family of Tilleys, and any information which your readers could give will be gladly received.
John Tilley, prov. (?) removed from Exeter to Ideford about 1687. He died at Ideford, 1747. His children were:
1. William, born about 1680-5, came to America 1700.
2. Jane, born Ideford 1689
3. John,born Ideford 1695, came to America 1700.
4. Thomas, born Ideford 1700.
5. Mary, born Ideford 1702.
6. James, born Ideford 1703-4.
I would be glad to correspond with anyone interested in this ancient family of Devon.
R.H. Tilly
Newport, R.I., United States, America
Last Edited29 August 2021

William\John Tilley, Jr.

M, #10694, b. about 1620

Parents

FatherJohn Tilley, Sr. (b. about 1635)

Family:

SonWilliam Tilley, the Ropemaker+ (b. 1641, d. about 17 November 1717)
SonJohn Tilley, III (b. about 1675)
DaughterElinor Tilley (b. about 1677)
R Hammett Tilley's sketch of the early Tilley generations

Biography

NoteR. Hammett Tilley in his 1878 Genealogy of the Tilley Family shows the father of William Tilley the Rope-maker as John Tilley, and show the father of the rope-maker's 3 cousins as William.

However, the baptism and birth records in the Ideford parish register list all the children of his uncle with a father of John Tilley, of which three were the cousins who came from England to work with him in the rope-works.

So it is possible that due to the long passage of time and the many repetitions of the same names, that the names of the two brothers got reversed by future generations.
Birthabout 1620WilliamJohn Tilley, Jr., was born about 1620 in Devonshire, England. This is a placeholder person, to be able to connect the Boston Tilley cousins to the Newport Tilley cousins.
Last Edited21 November 2020

John Tilley, III

M, #10695, b. about 1675

Parents

FatherWilliam\John Tilley, Jr. (b. about 1620)

Biography

Birthabout 1675John Tilley, III, was born about 1675 in Devonshire, England.
Bequest14 November 1717He was mentioned in the will of William Tilley, the Ropemaker, on 14 November 1717 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. In the name of God, Amen. This fourteenth day of November, Anno Domini One thousand seven hundred and seventeen, I, William Tilley of Boston, in the County of Suffolk in New England, Rope-maker, being of sound Disposing mind and memory, tho' visited with sickness and considering that the time of my abode here in this world is short, and to be very uncertain, Do therefore make and ordain this my last, Will and Testament in manner following, That is to say --
First of all I commend and resign my spirit into the Hands of God my Heavenly Father hoping to obtain the Pardon of my many fold Transgressions and to Inherit Eternal Life thro the Merits Death and passion and prevailing intercession of my Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; my Body I desire may be Decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executrixes and as touching such Temporal Estate as God in his Providence hath Betrusted me withal I will and Dispose thereof in the following manner and form, viz. --
Imprimis -- I will that all my just Debts and Funeral Expences be well and truly paid within convenient time after my Decease.
Item. I give unto my Brother John Tilley living at Edford in Devonshire in Great Britain the sum of twenty pounds and to all his Children which shall survive me and be living at Great Britain at the time of my death the sum of three pounds a piece.
Item. I give to my sister Elinor Tilley of Edford aforesd. Ten Pounds.
Item. I give to my cousin William Tilley Junr. of Boston aforesaid Rope-maker the sum of Twenty pounds, and forgive him what he ows me by Book or otherwise.
Item. I give to my son in Law Jonas Clark of sd Boston Brasier the sum of Twenty Pounds In token of my Good will towards him all which Legacys are to be paid within one year after my decease in Bills of credit on this Province.
Item. I give to my kinsman James Tilley (who now lives with me) the sum of fifty pounds to be paid when and so soon as he attains the age of twenty one years.
Item. I give five pounds to the poor of the South Church of Boston, to which I belong, and order my Executors to pay the said sum to my Overseer Daniel Oliver Esqr., to be distributed by him to such of them as he shall think fit and requisite.
Item. My will is That my Loving wife Abigail Tilley shall forever have hold Enjoy and Convert to her own use all such estate as I may any ways lay any claim to by virtue of my marriage to her so that she hath free liberty to Dispose of every thing that she hath or is in my possession, that was her late Fathers or Mothers who are both deceased. And further my will is That my wife shall have the free use Income and Improvement of One half of all my estate as well Real as personal so long as she continues my widow. But in case of her Inter marriage I only Give her the use and benefit of one third party of my Estate from thenceforth and for so long time after as she shall live.
Item. I give Devise and Bequeath unto my two Daughters Isabella Armitage and Grace Clarke and to their Heirs and assigns forever to be Equally Divided between them All the remainder of my Estate as well Real as Personal wheresoever the same is lying or may be found, and also what shall remain upon the Inter marriage or Decease of my wife -- Only it is to be understood That in case my said Daughters shall dye without Issue Then I give unto my two cousins William Tilley and James Tilley aforenamed and to their heirs and assigns forever in Equal halves All my Ropewalk in Boston aforesd. with the work house and buildings thereto appertaining and all the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging and which were by me usually therewith used occupied and enjoyed.
Lastly. I do hereby ordain and appoint my Loving wife and Daughters Isabella and Grace Executrixes of this my last will and my worthy friends Daniel Oliver and William Welsteed Esqrs. overseers thereof Declaring and making void all former and other wills by me made In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first before written.
WILLIAM TILLEY (SEAL)

Signed sealed and delivered Published and Declared by the Testator, to be his last will and Testament in presence of us witnesses, the workd (Inter marriage or) being first interlined.
EDWD. GRAY, SAML. ADAMS, SAMUEL TYLEY JUNR.
Last Edited20 November 2020

Elinor Tilley

F, #10696, b. about 1677

Parents

FatherWilliam\John Tilley, Jr. (b. about 1620)

Biography

NoteBased on R. Hammett Tilley's genealogy p5.
Birthabout 1677Elinor Tilley was born about 1677 in Devonshire, England.
Bequest14 November 1717She was mentioned in the will of William Tilley, the Ropemaker, on 14 November 1717 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. In the name of God, Amen. This fourteenth day of November, Anno Domini One thousand seven hundred and seventeen, I, William Tilley of Boston, in the County of Suffolk in New England, Rope-maker, being of sound Disposing mind and memory, tho' visited with sickness and considering that the time of my abode here in this world is short, and to be very uncertain, Do therefore make and ordain this my last, Will and Testament in manner following, That is to say --
First of all I commend and resign my spirit into the Hands of God my Heavenly Father hoping to obtain the Pardon of my many fold Transgressions and to Inherit Eternal Life thro the Merits Death and passion and prevailing intercession of my Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; my Body I desire may be Decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executrixes and as touching such Temporal Estate as God in his Providence hath Betrusted me withal I will and Dispose thereof in the following manner and form, viz. --
Imprimis -- I will that all my just Debts and Funeral Expences be well and truly paid within convenient time after my Decease.
Item. I give unto my Brother John Tilley living at Edford in Devonshire in Great Britain the sum of twenty pounds and to all his Children which shall survive me and be living at Great Britain at the time of my death the sum of three pounds a piece.
Item. I give to my sister Elinor Tilley of Edford aforesd. Ten Pounds.
Item. I give to my cousin William Tilley Junr. of Boston aforesaid Rope-maker the sum of Twenty pounds, and forgive him what he ows me by Book or otherwise.
Item. I give to my son in Law Jonas Clark of sd Boston Brasier the sum of Twenty Pounds In token of my Good will towards him all which Legacys are to be paid within one year after my decease in Bills of credit on this Province.
Item. I give to my kinsman James Tilley (who now lives with me) the sum of fifty pounds to be paid when and so soon as he attains the age of twenty one years.
Item. I give five pounds to the poor of the South Church of Boston, to which I belong, and order my Executors to pay the said sum to my Overseer Daniel Oliver Esqr., to be distributed by him to such of them as he shall think fit and requisite.
Item. My will is That my Loving wife Abigail Tilley shall forever have hold Enjoy and Convert to her own use all such estate as I may any ways lay any claim to by virtue of my marriage to her so that she hath free liberty to Dispose of every thing that she hath or is in my possession, that was her late Fathers or Mothers who are both deceased. And further my will is That my wife shall have the free use Income and Improvement of One half of all my estate as well Real as personal so long as she continues my widow. But in case of her Inter marriage I only Give her the use and benefit of one third party of my Estate from thenceforth and for so long time after as she shall live.
Item. I give Devise and Bequeath unto my two Daughters Isabella Armitage and Grace Clarke and to their Heirs and assigns forever to be Equally Divided between them All the remainder of my Estate as well Real as Personal wheresoever the same is lying or may be found, and also what shall remain upon the Inter marriage or Decease of my wife -- Only it is to be understood That in case my said Daughters shall dye without Issue Then I give unto my two cousins William Tilley and James Tilley aforenamed and to their heirs and assigns forever in Equal halves All my Ropewalk in Boston aforesd. with the work house and buildings thereto appertaining and all the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging and which were by me usually therewith used occupied and enjoyed.
Lastly. I do hereby ordain and appoint my Loving wife and Daughters Isabella and Grace Executrixes of this my last will and my worthy friends Daniel Oliver and William Welsteed Esqrs. overseers thereof Declaring and making void all former and other wills by me made In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first before written.
WILLIAM TILLEY (SEAL)

Signed sealed and delivered Published and Declared by the Testator, to be his last will and Testament in presence of us witnesses, the workd (Inter marriage or) being first interlined.
EDWD. GRAY, SAML. ADAMS, SAMUEL TYLEY JUNR.
Last Edited20 November 2020

William Tilley, the Ropemaker

M, #10697, b. 1641, d. about 17 November 1717

Parents

FatherWilliam\John Tilley, Jr. (b. about 1620)

Family 1: Isabel (d. 13 January 1702/03)

DaughterIsabella Tilley (b. 23 May 1691)
DaughterGrace Tilley (b. 4 November 1692)

Family 2: Abigail Melyen (d. 26 May 1720)

Biography

Witness
Birth1641William Tilley, the Ropemaker, was born in 1641 in England. His Findagrave entry gives his birthdate as 24 Jul 1658, in Ideford, Teignbridge District, Devon, England. No source listed.
Immigrationabout 1660He immigrated about 1660 to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,1
Marriageabout 1690He and Isabel were married about 1690
Church Affiliation29 March 1691As of 29 March 1691, William was affiliated with Old South Church, in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Admission.
Marriage27 January 1703He and Abigail Melyen were married on 27 January 1703 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,2
Will Abstract14 November 1717William's will recorded on 14 November 1717 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, mentioned. William Tilley (ropemaker), Executors: wife & two daughters Isabella & Grace. Legatees: wife Abigail, John Tilley brother, and to all his children, my sister Elinor Tilley all of Great Britain; William Tilley, Jr., cousing Jonas Clark son in law (brazier) kinsman James Tilley, the poor of the South Church. Isabella Armitage and Grace Clark daughters. In case my two daughters die without issue I give to my cousins William & James my ropewalk with the workhouse and buildings thereon. (Suffolk Probate Records 20:127) Extracted by A.H.Twing, Twing Collection.3
Will14 November 1717He signed a will on 14 November 1717 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. In the name of God, Amen. This fourteenth day of November, Anno Domini One thousand seven hundred and seventeen, I, William Tilley of Boston, in the County of Suffolk in New England, Rope-maker, being of sound Disposing mind and memory, tho' visited with sickness and considering that the time of my abode here in this world is short, and to be very uncertain, Do therefore make and ordain this my last, Will and Testament in manner following, That is to say --
First of all I commend and resign my spirit into the Hands of God my Heavenly Father hoping to obtain the Pardon of my many fold Transgressions and to Inherit Eternal Life thro the Merits Death and passion and prevailing intercession of my Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; my Body I desire may be Decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executrixes and as touching such Temporal Estate as God in his Providence hath Betrusted me withal I will and Dispose thereof in the following manner and form, viz. --
Imprimis -- I will that all my just Debts and Funeral Expences be well and truly paid within convenient time after my Decease.
Item. I give unto my Brother John Tilley living at Edford in Devonshire in Great Britain the sum of twenty pounds and to all his Children which shall survive me and be living at Great Britain at the time of my death the sum of three pounds a piece.
Item. I give to my sister Elinor Tilley of Edford aforesd. Ten Pounds.
Item. I give to my cousin William Tilley Junr. of Boston aforesaid Rope-maker the sum of Twenty pounds, and forgive him what he ows me by Book or otherwise.
Item. I give to my son in Law Jonas Clark of sd Boston Brasier the sum of Twenty Pounds In token of my Good will towards him all which Legacys are to be paid within one year after my decease in Bills of credit on this Province.
Item. I give to my kinsman James Tilley (who now lives with me) the sum of fifty pounds to be paid when and so soon as he attains the age of twenty one years.
Item. I give five pounds to the poor of the South Church of Boston, to which I belong, and order my Executors to pay the said sum to my Overseer Daniel Oliver Esqr., to be distributed by him to such of them as he shall think fit and requisite.
Item. My will is That my Loving wife Abigail Tilley shall forever have hold Enjoy and Convert to her own use all such estate as I may any ways lay any claim to by virtue of my marriage to her so that she hath free liberty to Dispose of every thing that she hath or is in my possession, that was her late Fathers or Mothers who are both deceased. And further my will is That my wife shall have the free use Income and Improvement of One half of all my estate as well Real as personal so long as she continues my widow. But in case of her Inter marriage I only Give her the use and benefit of one third party of my Estate from thenceforth and for so long time after as she shall live.
Item. I give Devise and Bequeath unto my two Daughters Isabella Armitage and Grace Clarke and to their Heirs and assigns forever to be Equally Divided between them All the remainder of my Estate as well Real as Personal wheresoever the same is lying or may be found, and also what shall remain upon the Inter marriage or Decease of my wife -- Only it is to be understood That in case my said Daughters shall dye without Issue Then I give unto my two cousins William Tilley and James Tilley aforenamed and to their heirs and assigns forever in Equal halves All my Ropewalk in Boston aforesd. with the work house and buildings thereto appertaining and all the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging and which were by me usually therewith used occupied and enjoyed.
Lastly. I do hereby ordain and appoint my Loving wife and Daughters Isabella and Grace Executrixes of this my last will and my worthy friends Daniel Oliver and William Welsteed Esqrs. overseers thereof Declaring and making void all former and other wills by me made In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first before written.
WILLIAM TILLEY (SEAL)

Signed sealed and delivered Published and Declared by the Testator, to be his last will and Testament in presence of us witnesses, the workd (Inter marriage or) being first interlined.
EDWD. GRAY, SAML. ADAMS, SAMUEL TYLEY JUNR.
Deathabout 17 November 1717He died about 17 November 1717 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Samuel Sewall, writing in his diary, listed a number of recent deaths. "I hear also...of the death of Mr. Tilly, a great Loss to the South-church, and to the Town."

Therefore William died sometime between 14 Nov. when he signed his will, and 21 Nov when Samuel Sewall wrote of it.4
BurialHe was buried at Granary Burying Ground in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The FAG burial entry note says he is the uncle of George Tilley ID=21753558. My understanding is they were cousins. Perhaps it was an old use of the word cousins.5
Probate9 December 1717He had his estate probated on 9 December 1717 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Presented for probate by Abigail Tilley. Witnesses Edward Gray and Samuel Tyley Junr. swore that they had seen William Tilley sign his will, and that he was of sound mind. The third witness, Samuel Adams, was "detained from appearing by sickness." Accepted for probate by Judge Samuel Sewall.
Research Note18791879 Query in NYG&B Record. In 1879, R. Hammett Tilley inserted the attached Query into the "Notes and Queries" section of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record.
Research Note19201920 Quotes from Annie Haven Thwing's Crooked and Narrow Streets. p. 188: Pearl Street was "a highway through the fields" in 1662, "part of Eliakim Hutchinson's pasture," a little later, "a lane running to the seaward from the long street up to Fort Hill." In 1708 Gridley's Lane went from High to Purchase Street, which later was included in Pearl Street. In 1732 from High to Milk Street was Hutchinson Street, and sometimes called "Palmer Street"; in 1800, all Pearl Street. On the west side, between Milk and High Streets, there were seven ropewalks, two next to Congress Street owned by Theodore Atkinson, as part of the old Fairbanks pasture, and five owned by Eliakim Hutchinson. Atkinson sold one to Edward Gray in 1712, and one to William Tilley the same year. "

p. 189: Gridley Street, from High to Purchase Street, between Congress and Pearl Streets, was laid out by William Tilley, who died in 1717, and Edward Gray, ropemakers. At first called "Tilley Lane, and in 1753 "Gridley Street."

p. 241. "In 1735...Pleasant Street was laid out, thirty feet wide on Orange Street, and thirty-five feet at the northwest part adjoining George Tilley. It received its name in 1751. The land of Leverett, extending to near the foot of the Common, Elisha Cooke conveyed a portion to George Tilley in 1739. In 1741, Tilley opened a street of thirty-five or forty feet wide through his land at the bottom of the Common, beginning at Bennet's land. In 1747 it was called Pleasant Street. The ropewalks began here when the land was granted to those who had been burned out in Pearl St.

The Crooked and Narrow Streets of the Town of Boston, 1630-1822, Annie Haven Thwing, Boston, Marshall Jones Company 1920.
Last Edited7 October 2023

Citations

  1. [S985] R. Hammett Tilley, Genealogy of the Tilley Family (Newport, R.I.: John P. Sanborn, Steam Book and Job Printer, 1878), p. 50.; digital images, Internet Archive, archive.org (https://archive.org/details/genealogyoftille1878till/page/n4/mode/1up : accessed
  2. [S985] Tilley, Genealogy of the Tilley Family, p.6
  3. [S970] Boston, MA: Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630-1822 by Annie Haven Thwing (Thwing Collection). Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630–1800 and The Crooked and Narrow Streets of Boston, 1630–1822. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.)
    https://www.americanancestors.org/DB530/rd/14226/17439/260139073, p.17443-4.
  4. [S985] Tilley, Genealogy of the Tilley Family, p. 5
  5. [S287] Find a Grave Website, online www.findagrave.com, Granary Burial Ground Boston MA id=21753547

Isabel

F, #10698, d. 13 January 1702/03

Family: William Tilley, the Ropemaker, (b. 1641, d. about 17 November 1717)

DaughterIsabella Tilley (b. 23 May 1691)
DaughterGrace Tilley (b. 4 November 1692)

Biography

Marriageabout 1690William Tilley, the Ropemaker, and Isabel were married about 1690
Death13 January 1702/03She died on 13 January 1702/03 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Indexed as "Tilly"

Boston, MA: Deaths, 1700-1799. (Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007), (Dunkle, Robert J. and Lainhart, Ann S. Boston Deaths, 1700-1799, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1999.)
https://www.americanancestors.org/DB34/t/7519959
Burial15 January 1703She was buried on 15 January 1703 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Last Edited22 November 2020

Isabella Tilley

F, #10699, b. 23 May 1691

Parents

FatherWilliam Tilley, the Ropemaker (b. 1641, d. about 17 November 1717)
MotherIsabel (d. 13 January 1702/03)

Family 2: William Rand

Biography

Birth23 May 1691Isabella Tilley was born on 23 May 1691 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Birth in town records, name spelled Tylly.1
Marriage21 April 1709Eleazer Armitage and she were married on 21 April 1709 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,2
Marriage4 April 1720William Rand and she were married on 4 April 1720 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,
Last Edited20 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S985] R. Hammett Tilley, Genealogy of the Tilley Family (Newport, R.I.: John P. Sanborn, Steam Book and Job Printer, 1878), p. 5; digital images, Internet Archive, archive.org (https://archive.org/details/genealogyoftille1878till/page/n4/mode/1up : accessed
  2. [S970] Boston, MA: Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630-1822 by Annie Haven Thwing (Thwing Collection). Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630–1800 and The Crooked and Narrow Streets of Boston, 1630–1822. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.)
    https://www.americanancestors.org/DB530/rd/14226/17439/260139073

Eleazer Armitage

M, #10700

Family: Isabella Tilley (b. 23 May 1691)

Biography

Marriage21 April 1709Eleazer Armitage and Isabella Tilley were married on 21 April 1709 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,1
Last Edited20 November 2020

Citations

  1. [S970] Boston, MA: Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630-1822 by Annie Haven Thwing (Thwing Collection). Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston, 1630–1800 and The Crooked and Narrow Streets of Boston, 1630–1822. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014.)
    https://www.americanancestors.org/DB530/rd/14226/17439/260139073