| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES:
1. Today's Hampden County of Massachusetts was originally Middlesex County until it was split off in 1662 and named Hampshire County. Hampden County was formed from Hampshire County in 1812.
2. Per 16 Feb 2002 website <http://www.gencircles.com/users/cherylbills/1/data/43>:
"John Dorchester (Footnote 4)
Birth: 5 Nov 1644 in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut (1)
Death:5 Oct 1705 in Springfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts (1)
Father: Anthony Dorchester
Mother: Sarah
Probate: 2 Jan 1705 Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. (2, 3) Text: Articles of agreement made between James Dorchester of the one part - Mary Dorchester the Relict of John Dorchester, deceased; Benjamin Dorchester - Joseph Stebbins in the right of his wife, and Mary Harman respecting the estate of John Dorchester, deceased. That the aforesaid James Dorchester shall have of the estate or out of the estate of John Dorchester, deceased, the housing and all the buildings upon the east side of Connecticut River, that is, only those buildings in the town plat of Springfield upon said James land and the fifteen acre lot over Agawam at the Point and one acre over the Mill river in said James's pasture. The above said housing and land the parties aforesaid do agree shall be to the said James Dorchester and his heirs forever, saving to the Widow, Mary Dorchester, her thirds in said house and two acres of mowing land paart of it so and some orchard and garden which land lyeth by the house. This land the Widow is to have during her life and for and upon the ... of what is above the said James Dorchester both for himself, his heirs, executors agreed and have exhonerated doth release unto the above said Mary Dorchester, Benjamin Dorchester, Joseph Stebbins, and Mary Harman all the surplusage or remaining estate both real and personal of said John Dorchester, deceased to be to them according to each ones propotion at the law of..., but James doth relinquish all rights as heir according unto the said Dorchester, Stebbins, and Harman saving what is allotted to him as aforesaid. And Benjamin Dorchester, Joseph Stebbins, in Right of his wife, and Mary Harman do for themselves, their heirs acquit, exhonerate and release unto said James Dorchester all the right that they might or could claim out of the estate of their honored Father, Anthony Dorchester, deceased, And further the said James Dorchester doth for himself and his heirs to sell, alienate and convey unto said Benjamin Dorchester this ... to a small piece of land upon the North side of said Benjamin's house lot containing one rod wide and four rods long from the street to the Configuration of the premises as the parties above have set their hands and seal this 2 day of January in ye fourth year of the reighe of Anne, Queen of England, anno doni 1705. Signed and Sealed in the presence of us witnesses: Thomas Sheldin, Luke Hitchcock, Ebenezer Pomry, James Dorchester & Seal Mary Dorchester (her mark) & Seal Benjamin Dorchester & Seal Joseph Stebbins & Seal Mary Harman (her mark) & Seal James Dorchester doth further say that Mary Dorchester, the wife of my brother shall enjoy the 3 acres above written during her lifetime - after this year unless she and I otherwise agree so I rest. James Dorchester (4, 5)
Text: Articles of agreement made between James Dorchester of the one part - Mary Dorchester the relict of John Dorchester, deceased; Benjamin Dorchester, Joseph Stebbins in the right of his wife, And Mary Harmon respecting the estate of the aforesaid Dorchester deceased. That the aforesaid James Dorchester shall have of the state or out of the estate of John Dorchester deceased the housing and all the buildings upon the east side of Connecticut River; That is only those buildings in the town plat of Springfield upon said James' land and the fifteen acres lot over Agawam at the Point and one acre over the Mill River including Jame's pasture. The above said housing and land, the parties aforesaid do agree shall be to the said James Dorchester and his heirs forever, saving to the widow Mary Dorchester her thirds including house and two acres of moweing land part of it Sown, and some orchard and garden which land lyeth by the house. This land the widow is to have during her life and for and upon the ... what is above the said James Dorchester for himself, his heirs, executors .... unto the above. Mary Dorchester, Benjamin Dorchester, Joseph Stebbins and Mary Harmon all the surpluss from remaining estate both real and personal of said John Dorchester deceased to betwenn them according to each one position as the law provides, but James doth relinquish all his rights as heir or Administrator unto the said Dorcchester, Stebbins, and Harmon saving what is allotted to him as aforesaid, and Benjamin Dorchester, Joseph Stebbins in right of his wife, and Mary Harmon do for themselves, their heirs aquit, exchange and release unto said James Dorchester all the right that they might or could claim our of the estate of ... honored father Anthony Dorchester deceased. And further the said James Dorchester doth for himself and his heirs to sell, alienate and convey unto said Benjamin Dorchester and his heirs the small piece of land upon the north side of said Benjamin's houselot containing one rod wide and four rods long from the street to the conformation of the premises of the parties above. Have set their hands and seal this 2nd day of January in the fourth year of the reign of Anne Queen of England 1705. Signed and sealed in the presence of witnesses: Thomas Sheldon, Luke Hitchcock, Ebenezer Pumroy; Signed by: James Dorchester and Seal; Mary (x - her mark) Dorchester and Seal; Benjamin Dorchester and Seal; Joseph Stebbins and seal; Mary (x her mark) Harman and seal. James Dorchester doth further say that Mary Dorchester the wife of my brother shall enjoy the 3 acres above written during her lifetime after this year unless she and I otherwise agree. It is agreed between James Dorchester and Mary Dorchester that Mary Dorchester shall have three acres over Agawam River at the Point ar the further end of the lot and further whereas it is in agreement bearing date January 2, 1705 that Mary Dorchester shall have the garden at the house. It is now agreed that the said Mary shall have but half the garden and that she shall have so much land down further in the pasture the land aforesaid the Mary Dorchester is to have during her natural life in the confirmation of the premises they have hereunto set their hands and seals this 3 day of January 1705. 2 Jan 1705.
Spouse: Mary Harmon; Marriage: 20 Apr 1671 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts.
Notes Individual: Artemus Harmon book pg. 159.
Footnote Sources:
1. Title: Harmon Genealogy (The); Author: Artemas C. Harmon; Publication: Gibson Bros, Inc. Washington DC 1920, pg. 159.
2. Title: Massachusetts Probate Court Records of Hampshire County Probate Records 1660-1916, Vol II, Call Number: film 879,189; film # 879,184 pg. 154-155.
3. Note: Cheryl Bill's file: John027 photocopy.
4. Title: Probate Record: film 0,879,184
5. Note: photocopy john027"
3. The book "Anthony Dorchester and his Descendants," by Janice P. Dorchester (1998) Janice P. Dorchester, p. 5:
"JOHN2 B. DORCHESTER (Anthony1) was born 4 November 1644, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut; died 5 October 1705, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts.
He married his step-sister, MARY HARMON, born 12 November 1651, daughter of John Harmon, 20 April 1671, in Springfield, Massachusetts. After her death, John married SARAH GAYLORD, daughter of Samuel Gaylord, on 29 November 1671. John Dorchester had no children.
In 1662 John was assigned a church pew "below the pillars". Two years later he received 30 acres of land from his father, Anthony Dorchester. When help was needed at the corn mill in 1665, John gave two days of work.
John was made a constable in 1668. He sided with his father and brother in protesting the custom tax. In 1672 John was granted part of a meadow. By 1674 John was maintaining the ferry. On 1 January 1678, John took the Oath of Allegiance to King Charles II.
After Anthony Dorchester's death in 1683, John presented his father's inventory to the court, as he and his brother James were administrators of the estate. His sister and step-sisters went to the court because they felt it was their father's intention to give them a larger share in the inheritance. John had land on the west side of the Greate (Connecticut) River below the Agawam River and James had land on the east side. John also held a parcel of land (approximately 10 acres on the west side of the river at what is called the neck). By September 1684 John and James conveyed to John Harmon, husband of their sister, Mary, and to Joseph Stebbins, husband of their step-sister, Sarah, several acres of land instead of a monetary settlement. Martha Kitcherell, their step-mother's daughter was not awarded anything by the court in the dispute. Martha was married to Abell Wright.
By 1690 John Dorchester was listed as a freeman in Springfield, Massachusetts.
References: The Dorchester Pedigree by Daniel Dorchester III, 1902, pp 2, 3, 7. Dorchester Family Chronicles, 1995, by Earle and Patricia Swanson pp. 14, 17-23. New England Marriages Prior to 1700 by Torrey, pg. 226. Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Vol. II, pp. 60-61, 357. Births, Deaths & Marriages of Hartford, Windsor & Fairfield."
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1644 - 1705 (60 years)