1. THOMAS-
m. 14 Jan. 1610/1 MARTHA OSBORNE, St. Thomas Church, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Issue-
Ref:
"Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Philip Joseph Currier, Vol. I, p.4 Salisbury V.R.
Return to Home Page
b. 3 May 1616 Salisbury?, Wiltshire m.1. ANN ______ (d. after 5 Apr. 1675 Amesbury, MA) 2. 26 Oct. 1676 Amesbury, Joanna Pinder (b. 1621, m.1. 14 Nov. 1643 Salisbury, MA, Vallentine Rowell, 2. 18 Sept. 1670 William Sargent, d. Oct. 1690 Amesbury, MA) d. 22 Feb. 1686/7 Amesbury, MA
"Capt. Pike, attorney to the Worshipfull Mr. Francis Dove of Salisbury in Old England v. Edward French. Trespass. For mowing the grass and carrying away the hay off a piece of meadow belonging to said Mr. Dove, which marsh lay by the beach in Salisbury, by a sweepage lot formerly Mr. Hal's and thereby claiming title of said marsh for several years last past. Verdict for plaintiff.
Rich. Currier, aged about forty-seven years deposed that he was servant to Mr. Fran. Dove when the division of the land in controversy was made, and he and another servant, Thomas Macy, the latter agent for his master, mowed it, said Macy saying that the bounds were marked by a pine tree on the beach, and he mowed at the head of the dead creek. Goodman French's sons mowed land of his master Dove's and they told deponent that said French had bought it of Mr. Hauls, etc."(1)
Richard probably came to New England to look after the property of Francis Dove who was a friend of one of the first Commoners, Christopher Batt. In exchange Dove probably paid for Richard's passage.
Richard was a millwight and was one of the original settlers of Salisbury. He is listed in the first division of house lots in 1640 and received additional land in 1641 and 1642.
On 16 Feb. 1642 Richard sold to Abraham Morrill six house lots which were given to him by the town of Salisbury, containing 7 acres, and on 20 Jan. 1644 he bought Joseph Moyce's new house, land and all things thereunto belonging. He was taxed in 1650 4/6.(2)
In 1652 Richard and Anthony Colby were given power to lay out a road four rods wide "from ye mill bridge to ye plain that goeth to ye Lion's Mouth", and in 1655 he and William Barnes were chosen "to take account of all the staves due the town and examine them for the town and to give account to said company when they shall call for it; also to take account of ye saw-mill which do saw for the use of the town."(3)
In 1654 there were sixty commoners in Salisbury and they voted that thirty families were to be chosen to move west of the Powow River. Eighteen of these families were commoners and the number of commoners were increased to 26 by the time Salisbury New Town became the town of Amesbury in 1668.(4) On 14 May 1666 he was chosen to go to the General Court and present the petition of the New Town for a separation from the old town of Salisbury. The petition was presented by him at a session of the General Court on 23 May 1666 and the request was granted. Richard heads the list of the eighteen commoners and was one of the signers to the Articles of Agreement between the inhabitants of the Old Town and those of the New Town, 1 May 1654. He received land grants there in 1654, 1658-9, 1662, 1664, and in 1668.(5)
In 1656 Richard and Thomas Macy were authorized to build a saw-mill on the west side of the Powow River at the falls, with the privilege of using all the timber on the common not included in the grant to the former mill, "excepting the oak and the right of people to make canoes". For this privilege they were to pay the town #6 per year for ten years, in boards at current prices. No logs were to be carried to the east side of the river to be sawed or to pay a penalty of 10/. "So the said Thomas Macy and Richard Currier do engage to saw what logs the townsmen bring to the mill for their own use, to saw them to the halves within a month after they are brought to the mill if there be water, the first logs that come to be sawne and so the rest in order as they are brought". Thomas Macy sold his interest in the mill in 1658 and moved out of town in 1659.
"The deposition of Richard Currier, aged about sixty-six years, testifieth that I keep a saw-mill at Amesbury near unto the saw-mill that do belong to Salisbury upon the same river and I have sawne this Spring about five or six thousand feet of boards a week for three months together, and do swear that ye saw-mill that do belong unto Salisbury is no ways inferior to the mill at Amesbury and has been as well improved, and further say that the saw-mills did sett about four months but had not a full head of water." 25 Sept. 1682.(6)
Richard Currier of Salisbury, planter gave to his "son and daughter", Samuel Foot and wife Hannah the dwelling house and land he bought from George Martyn in Salisbury new town, bounded by the street and John Hoyt Jr., as well as the landing place by the "Pawwaus river", 5 May 1661.(7) Samuel Foot of Amesbury, seaman, gave to his father-in-law Richard Currier of Amesbury, planter, "ye dwelling house and land given to me by my said father in Amesbury...8: 5m: 1671."(8)
Richard Currier of "Emsbery", planter exchanged the house and land "conveyed to Samuel Foot of Emsbery, planter", for his 30-acre lot of upland in Amesbury, bounded by Philip Challis, John Jimson, Cobler's brook and the highway, 8 July 1671."(9)
In 1665 Richard was one of a committee of three to build the first meeting house in the New Town, and one of a committee of two to secure a minister. In 1667 his name stands first "to set at the tabell" of the new meeting house.(10)
Richard was acting clerk of Salisbury New Town in 1660-1 and at the March meeting in 1662 he was chosen: "to keep the book of records and to record all meetings and to be allowed twelve pence for each meeting." He held this office until 14 Dec. 1674 when his son Thomas took over the job.(11)
Richard was a soldier in the Narragansett war and his descendants drew land in Narragansett township No. 1 (Buxton, ME) due to his service. In Feb. 1675 the constables of Marlboro, Sudbury, etc., were to care for billeting the Plymouth forces passing through the towns; and the constables of Lynn, etc., were to care for billeting the three Norfolk County soldiers, John Dickison, Richard Currier and Thomas Mudgett, for Abram Morrill until they came to Salisbury their home.(12)
Richard was clerk of the writs, commissioner to try small cases, and a selectman for fifteen years. He last served as a selectman in 1682/3 against his will and he declined to serve and was fined one shilling. Several others were chosen and declined, but finally upon being re-chosen he consented to serve.(13)
He lived his final days at his step son's (Philip Rowell's) home. Tradition states that he drowned after falling through the ice while crossing the mill pond by his saw mill.(14)
Richard's grandson Capt. Richard Currier was appointed administrator of his estate 6 Nov. 1710. Only one lot of land and his common right in Amesbury are listed as he had deeded away his vast holdings before his death.(15)
Issue- all children by Ann.
(1) Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts- Vol.III, pp.147, 253 (2) "Genealogy of Richard Currier of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass."- Harvey Lear Currier, 1910 (3) Ibid (4) "Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, pp.1-3 (5) "Genealogy of Richard Currier of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass."- Harvey Lear Currier, 1910 (6) Ibid (7) Norfolk Co. Deeds (8) Ibid (9) Ibid (10) "Genealogy of Richard Currier of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass."- Harvey Lear Currier, 1910 (11) Ibid (12) Mass. Archives (13) "Genealogy of Richard Currier of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass."- Harvey Lear Currier, 1910 (14) "Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, p.1 (15) Essex Co. Probate- Vol.310, pp.294, 327
Salisbury & Amesbury V.R. "Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury"- David Hoyt, Vol.I, pp.118-9
b. 8 Mar. 1646 Salisbury, MA m. 9 Dec. 1668 Amesbury, MA, MARY OSGOOD (b. 3 Mar. 1649/0 Salisbury, MA, d. 2 Nov. 1705 Amesbury, MA) d. 27 Sept. 1712 Amesbury, MA
Thomas succeeded his father as town clerk in 1674, a job he held until his death. He was a selectman for 17 years and held many other local offices.
Thomas signed a petition in behalf of Mrs. Mary Challis of Amesbury 14 Mar. 1710/1 and was commissioned to sell some of her land for her maintenance. He was also made administrator and overseer of the estate of Lt. Philip Watson Challis 6 June 1711.(1)
Mary's father, William, deeded to her one fourth of his interest in his saw-mill in Salisbury in 1697.(2)
"...I, Thomas Currier, Sr., of the town of Amesbury... do make this my last will and testament...
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Currier three of those lots appertaining to that tract of land where his dwelling house now stands, and that piece of swamp that the town gave me joining to said lots; I mean the three eastwardmost lots.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Richard Currier one-third part, which is all of my part, of a lot of salt marsh lying in Salisbury, in a place called the Higgledy- piggledy, which was formerly the marsh of George Carr, Sr., late of Salisbury, deceased; and also my lot in the Threescore Acres in Amesbury, commonly so called, near the Indian ground; also I do order my executors hereinafter named to pay to him fifteen pounds in good pay within four years after my decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Currier one shilling and for this reason, that I have already given him under my hand and seal in a deed of a gift a parcel of land in Salisbury which I bought of Benony Tucker.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son William Currier two lots of land in Amesbury, in a place called Whicher's hill division; I mean the two eastwardmost lots of that tract of land where his house now stands.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son John Currier the other two lots adjoining to William's westwardly of William's.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Currier the one-half of a lot of land lying in Amesbury, in a place called Red Oak hill, that end of said lot next Birchen meadow, and also one-half of a meadow lot in Salisbury, in a place called the Higgledy-piggledy, formerly the lot of his grandfather Osgood, late of Salisbury, deceased.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Daniel Currier the other half of the above said lot at Red Oak hill, and also the other half of the meadow lot in Salisbury, formerly his said grandfather's.
Item. I give and bequeath to my two sons Benjamin and Ebenezer Currier, to be divided between them in equal proportions, my homestead, together with all the houses, orchards and other privileges and commodities and appurtenances thereto belonging, and if either of them should die without leaving issue then their part to be divided amongst my other sons, and if there should be a widow or widows belonging to those two sons above named then she that may be so left shall have twenty pounds in good merchantable pay paid to her or them by my other sons as a dowry.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, now wife to Robert Hoyt, twelve pounds more than what she has already had in good pay out of my personal estate, to be paid by my executors within two years after my decease.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Anne, now wife to Samuel Barnard, twelve pounds...
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Ebenezer Currier my lot of marsh in Salisbury, at the beach, that I had of his grandfather Osgood.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son John Currier one- third part of a lot of marsh in Salisbury, that I had of Mr. George Goldwyre, which is all of my part of said lot.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Ebenezer Currier one lot in the Lion's Mouth, commonly so called next to his brother Thomas Currier's lots: said lot was formerly John Hoyt's, deceased.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Currier the half of the Higgledy-piggledy lot of marsh in Salisbury I had of William Sargent, deceased; I mean all my right in said lot.
Item. I give and bequeath all my part of a saw-mill in Salisbury, that is a full quarter part of said mill, to my nine sons, equal shares alike.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law John Stevens one shilling as a legacy.
And I do appoint, make, constitute and ordain my sons Benjamin and Ebenezer Currier joint executors to this my last will and testament.
As witness my hand and seal, this twenty-sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eight, and in the seventh year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Anne, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the faith, etc.
Thomas Currier
in presence of us her Hannah X Foot mark Ben. Eastman Jos. Brown"
"An inventory of the estate of Deacon Thomas Currier of Amesbury, deceased 27 September 1712, given in by executors:
Wearing apparel.............................................. 10 07 Arms and ammunition...................................... 03 00 Money............................................................ 36 00 Beds, bedding, woolen cloth and other linen..... 31 05 Books............................................................. 02 00 Iron, pewter and brass household stuff............. 22 14 Lumber........................................................... 09 12 Hay and corn.................................................. 26 00 Cider.............................................................. 06 16 Implements of husbandry................................. 17 05 Four oxen, 2 cows, 2 heifers, 1 calf, 25 sheep, 1 horse, 13 swine, and 14 fowls, all............................... 44 05 House and homestead..................................... 450 00 Four lots of upland lying in the Lion's Mouth, and six acres of swamp all.......................................... 100 00 Four lots of upland lying at Whittier's hill........... 80 00 Lot of upland at Red Oak hill, and the meadow at Birchen meadow, all..................................................... 80 00 Two acres and a half of upland in the Threescore acres 06 00 Lot of marsh in the Higgledy- piggledy marsh... 16 00 Lot of marsh at the beach................................ 15 00 One-third of a lot of marsh in the Higgledy-piggledies 15 00 One-third part of marsh called Carr's lot.......... 15 00 One-quarter part of saw-mill in Salisbury......... 30 00 A further remembrance of about...................... 01 00 Total.............................................................1057 04 Appraised the twenty-eighth day of October, 1712, by us Jacob Morrill Moses Morrill Ben. Eastman"(3)
Issue- all children born in Amesbury.
(1) MA Archives- Vol.17, pp.292-3 (2) "Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury"- David Hoyt, Vol.I, p.120 (3) Essex Co. Probate- Vol.310, pp. 477-9; Vol.313, pp. 39, 198; Vol.315, p. 329
"Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, pp. 7-11 Amesbury & Salisbury V.R.
b. 12 Apr. 1673 Amesbury, MA m. 29 Aug. 1695 Salisbury, MA, DOROTHY BARNARD (d. 2 Mar. 1765 Amesbury, MA) d. 8 Feb. 1747/8 Amesbury, MA
On 30 Mar. 1709 Richard was in the Northern Regiment of Essex Co. under command of Capt. Thomas Harvey. He was to recieve an allowance for snowshoes.(1)
"I, Richard Currier of Amesbury... do make this my last will and testament...
First, I give and bequeath unto Electa Currier, wife of Daniel Currier, to Dorothy Barnard, wife of Tristram Barnard Jr., to David Currier, John Currier, Richard Currier, Edmund Currier and Mary Currier, children of my son David Currier, late of Amesbury aforesaid, deceased, ten shillings old tenor to each and every one of them, which I do give and bequeath to them in full satisfaction of my said son David's portion of my estate with what he hath heretofore had.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Lowell, wife of Samuel Lowell, two acres of land situate in Amesbury aforesaid which I purchased of Jonathan Barnard.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Dorothy Crocker, wife of James Crocker, one cow.
Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Miriam Titcomb five pounds old tenor.
Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Coffin, wife of Peter Coffin, Jr., that piece of land which I bought of James Harbert, deceased, situate in Amesbury aforesaid at a place called Ring's Hill.
Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my sons Jonathan Currier, John Currier, Richard Currier, Moses Currier, Aaron Currier and Barnard Currier ten shillings old tenor to each one of them, the aforesaid to be paid and discharged by the executrix hereinafter named within three months after my decease.
Lastly, I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Dorothy Currier all the remaining part of my estate, both real and personal, movable and immovable, of what kind or nature soever, or in any place or places whatsoever, for her the said Dorothy to possess and enjoy free and clear and freely and clearly forever, and I do hereby constitute, appoint and ordain my well beloved wife Dorothy Currier sole executrix to this my last will and testament, to do and perform according hereunto, as also to answer all my just debts and funeral charges.
And I do allow and ratifie this and no other to be my last will and testament, this twenty-sixth day of June, Anno Domini 1744...
Richard Currier
In presence of us Thomas Meekins John Wells Benjamin Bagley"(2)
(1) MA Archives- Vol.71, p.496 (2) "Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, pp. 63-4 (3) Mass. Archives- Vol.115, pp.570-1
"Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury"- David Hoyt, Vol.I, p.122, Vol.II, p.701, Vol.III, pp.907-11 Amesbury & Salisbury V.R.
b. 17 Feb. 1695/6 Amesbury, MA m. 11 Dec. 1718 Amesbury, KEZIAH COLBY (b. 11 May 1696 Amesbury, m.2. 2 June 1748 Jacob Bagley (b. 21 Jan. 1685/6 Amesbury, m.1. Hannah Standwood), d. 3 Nov. 1754 Amesbury) inv. 20 July 1737
"Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury"- David Hoyt, Vol.II, p.701, Vol.III, pp.907-11, 920-22 "Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, pp. 65-6
Amesbury, Salisbury & Wells V.R.
bpt. 27 May 1733 Amesbury, MA m. int. 23 Jan. 1756 Wells, ME, SUSANNA KIMBALL (bpt. 13 June 1735, m.2. 23 Dec. 1781 Wells, Capt. Joshua Nason) d. 1778 Wells
Before the Revolution the town school was kept in Edmund's shop.(1) He signed a Wells petition for shire-town status 27 May 1761.(2) He was assigned pew No.11 in the first rank of pews in the parish church in Aug. 1773.(2) He lived on the Saco Road, opposite the old Barnard Inn, a short distance from the First Parish.
Edmund was in Capt. James Hubbard's Co. for 8 mos. from May 1775.(3) He gave 2 pairs of shoes to the continental army 9 Apr. 1778.(4)
(1) "The History of Wells and Kennebunk"- p.439 (2) Ibid- p.547 (3) Ibid- p.482 (4) Ibid- pp.509-10
"Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, pp. 98-9 Amesbury, Wells, Kennebunk & Kennebunkport V.R. "Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury"- David Hoyt, Vol.III, p.907 "Records of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Families"- Wm. S. Thompson, Vol.1, pp.287-8; MS at MHS
b. 25 Mar. 1759 Kennebunk, ME m. 16 Nov. 1784 (int. 5 June), Kennebunk, LYDIA KIMBALL (b. 1763, d. 7 Oct. 1832 Kennebunkport) d. 24 Mar. 1846 Kennebunkport
Abraham was a private in the Revolutionary War. He moved from Kennebunk to the port in 1816.(1) Abraham was living in Buxton in Oct. 1785 when he was granted guardianship for Nathaniel, Abigail, Electa and Sarah who were listed as minor children of Edmund Currier and grandchildren of Nathaniel Kimball.(2)
(1) "History of Kennebunk Port"- pp. 235, 292 (2) "Old Families of Salisbury & Amesbury"- David Hoyt, Vol.III, p.907
"Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, p. 99 Kennebunk & Kennebunkport V.R. "Records of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Families"- Wm. S. Thompson, Vol.1, p.289; MS at MHS
b.c.1790 m. 20 Dec. (int. 2 Dec.) 1815 Wells, ESTHER KIMBALL (d. 6 July 1843 Kennebunkport) d. 4 Aug. 1873 Kennebunkport
Edmund Currier of Kennebunkport sold to Abraham Currier of Kennebunkport for $1,000.00 one half the lot and buildings on Limerick Road next to the lane leading to the house of the late William Patten and bounded by Ivory Lord, Noah Nason, James Nason as well as a lot bounded by Nathaniel Currier, Joshua Nason, Joseph Nason, William Patten and the Limerick Road, and another lot which had a right of way through Nathaniel's land. The deed is dated 28 Nov. 1848 and was witnessed by Joseph Dane Jr.(1)
Edmund sold to Abraham "the son of said Edmund Currier" for $1,500.00 the other half of the homestead farm on Limerick Road bounded by William and Edward Nason, Mrs. Mary E. Hatch, widow of Joseph E. Hatch, George Lord, Alvah Hill formerly William Patten, Joshua Nason, and Nathaniel Currier as well as a lot on the Kennebunk River, 3 Apr. 1858.(2)
Issue- all children born in Kennebunkport
(1) York Deeds- Vol.203, p.465 (2) Ibid- Vol.257, p.112; see also p.327
"Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, p. 99 Kennebunk & Kennebunkport V.R. "Records of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Families"- Wm. S. Thompson, Vol.1, p.294; MS at MHS
b.c.1816 m.1. c.1841 Mary L. Nason (d. 15 Aug. 1849 Kennebunkport) 2. c.1850 Clara Mendum of Saco (d. 16 Sept. 1853 Kennebunkport) 3. 7 May 1854 (int. 27 Apr.) Parsonsfield, ME, CATHERINE MOULTON (b. 11 Dec. 1820 Parsonsfield, d. 10 Apr. 1907 Kennebunkport, ME) d. 31 July 1880 Kennebunkport
The administration of Abraham's estate was granted to Catherine 7 Sept. 1880 and was signed by Catherine, Jefferson W. Sargent, Charles M. Currier, Lucy M. Currier, and Clara Currier.(1)
Administration of Abraham's estate
Issue- First two children by Mary, third by Clara, last five by Catherine.
(1) York Co. Probate- No. 3754
Kennebunkport & Parsonsfield V.R. 1860, 1880 Census for Kennebunkport- p.39, house 311; p.298, house 21 "Currier Family Records of the U.S.A. and Canada"- Vol.I, pp. 99-100 "Records of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Families"- Wm. S. Thompson, Vol.1, p.295; MS at MHS