| BIRTH | William was born in 1602 or 1611[1,2]. Torrey gives his birth year as 1602 and Anderson claims that he was born in 1611, basing this on William's age at the estimated date of his marriage. |
| DEATH | William died in Amesbury, Essex co., MA in 1675; he was 73[1,2]. His death actually occurred after 24 February 1673/4 -- when he was involved in a Norfolk Land Deed -- and 8 April 1675 -- when inventory on his estate was taken. |
| ORIGIN & MIGRATION | We currently know nothing of William's English origins. Anderson notes that he migrated to New England in 1632, but gives no specifics of his migration[2]. |
| EDUCATION | He was an educated man. While no books are listed in his inventory, he could and did sign his name to his will, deeds & such[2]. |
| CITIZENSHIP | He made Freeman on 22 May 1639 as "Mr. Willi[am] Sergent"[2,3]. |
| CHURCH MEMBERSHIP | In order to have taken the Oath of Freeman, he must have been a member of a church in a settlement in the Massachusetts Bay Colony[2]. |
| RESIDENCE & REAL ESTATE |
William settled first in Ipswich, Essex co., MA where he received 12 acres in a 1634 Ipswich Land
Grant[2,17]. While there, the General Court issued this pronouncement: "It is ordered
that no person whatsoever shall go to plant or inhabit at Aggawam, without leave from the court, except
those that are already gone, viz: ... "Willm Srjeant"[2,16].
By 1638, he had removed to Newbury, Essex co., MA as proved by the fact that "Willli[am] Sergant" was amongst the list of mostly Newbury men headed by Stephen Bachiler, who on 6 September 1638 were granted "liberty to begin a plantation at Winnacunnet [Hampton]"[2,18]. "Will[iam] Sargent" was in the section of married men in the list of first comers to Hampton, NH[2,19]. He remained a resident of Hampton for roughly 6 years. Then, he moved to Salisbury, Essex co., MA by 1644 and finally settled in Amesbury, Essex co., MA sometime between 1666 and 1669[2]. On 7 November 1644, John Severans of Salisbury, planter, sold to William Sargent of Salisbury, planter, twenty acres of upland in Salisbury on the west side of Powwos river[20,21]. On 25 March 1647, Anthony "Colebie" of Salisbury, planter, deeded to William Sargent of Salisbury, seaman, a dwelling house and house lot in Salisbury between Jarred Haddon and Henry Browne[21,22]. On 16 December 1652, William Sargent of Salisbury sold to John Browne of Hampton, the meadow and upland adjacent to Aquilla chase and widow "Bristos" [21,23]. On 15 April 1659 William Sargent of Salisbury sold to John Wooding of Salisbury upland in Salisbury near the Pawwaus River above the falls"[21,24]. On 1 November 1666, William Sargent of Salisbury, seaman, gave for "natural effection" to his son Thomas Sargent thirty acres of upland in Salisbury abutting the Merrimack River[25]. On 22 October 1669, William Sargent of Amesbury gave for "natural affection and other considerations" to his "beloved son Thomas Sargent" six acres of marsh granted to him by Salisbury, and a sweepage lot of salt marsh in Salisbury at a place called "ye beache" being lot number 8 containing three acres and four rods, being half the lot of marsh between two islands called "Barnss Iland" and "Ware Iland"[26]. On 9 October 1669 William Sargent of Amesbury, planter, gave for "natural affection and other considerations" to his "beloved son William Sargent" a great lot of upland containing two hundred acres in Amesbuty, a lot of upland iun ox common containing eight acres, a lot of upland west of the great pond containing forty acres, a lot of upland in "vurchin meadow hill" containing forty-five acres "which I bought of Edward Goe"; the last division of three acres in the pond meadow (all the foregoing in amesbury); and half his first division of the higledee pigledee lots of salt marsh in Salisbury[26,27]. On 4 March 1670/1 William Sargent of Amesbury, seaman, sold for £2 10s. to William sargent, Jr. of Amesbury, planter, two acres of upland at the Indian ground in Amesbury; wife Johana Sargent made her mark to this deed[28,29]. On 23 April 1672 William Sargent of Amesbury, yeoman, sold to Isaac Green of Hampton 2 acres of salt marsh called Hall's farm[28,30]. On 1 July 1673 William Sargent Sr. of Amesbury, with the consent of his wife, "Janna", sold to Thomas Wells of Amesbury ninety-five rods of land in Amesbury, part of his houselot[20,28]. On 1 October 1673 "William Sergent ... of Almsberry in Norfolke senior and mariner" mortgaged to Nathaniel Williams of Suffolk County eight acres of upland in Amesbury that Sergeant had by exchange with Richard Currier[28,31]. On 24 February 1673/4 William Sargent Sr. of Amesbury, seaman, sold to Caleb Moody of Newbury, maltser, for £5 1s. "my second division higledee pigledee" lot of salt marsh containing three acres in Salibury[28,32]. Among parcels sold by William Sargent Jr on 18 October 1696 to Henry Deeering, was a great lot of upland given by his grandfather [unnamed] to his father William Sergeant, "containing by estimation 200 acres in Amesbury amongst the great lots"[28,33]. |
| TOWN SERVICE |
"William Sargent" saw much town service during his lifetime. Unfortunately, we are not sure if
the service was provided by this William Sargent or by the William Sargent who lived in Gloucester,
Essex co., MA. Thus, service for "William Sargent" is listed...with history only to sort it out.
William served on the Essex Grand Jury 13 in April 1652[2,34] and the petit jury on 8 April
1662, 24 June 1662, 13 April 1669 and 12 April 1670[2,35]. This William Sargent was also
sworn as Clerk of the Train Band of Salibury, Essex co., MA on 8 April 1651[2,36].
On 28d:7m(September):1652, he was granted administration on the estate of Thomas Wathen[10]. Theophilus Shatswell of Haverhill named "my Brother Wilyam Sargent" and "my Kinsman Lefttenent Philip challis" as overseers in his will of 20 June 1663[4,11]. On 3d:3m(May):1665, William Sargent, Sr. & Lt. Phillip Challes took inventory on the estate of William Delle[12]. |
| LEGAL MENTION | Colonial court records for lawsuits, on the other hand, are fairly clear about the participants' hometown. Thus, it is easier to differentiate between the two Essex County William Sargents. The Salisbury William "Sargeant" sued Mr. William Hook of Salisbury, Essex co., MA for 56s. "in corn" on 26 December 1643[4,5]. William also acknowledged the Court's judgment in favor of Mr. Jonathan Wade on 26 September 1648[4,6]. Michael Spencer sued him for detaining corn and other goods on 2 January 1650[4,7]. In addition, there was an ongoing dispute between the Sargent family and their neighbors the Martins. George Martin sued one of the William Sargents -- court records leave it unclear as to whether it was William, Sr. or Jr. -- for slander on 13 April 1669; accusing him of calling Martin's wife "a witch"[8]. He also sued Thomas Sargent for saying that George Martin, Jr. was a bastard and that "Richard Martin was Goodwife Martin's imp"[4,8]. Finally, in 1672, William Sargent and Joanna his wife sued Christopher Osgood for debt due part of the estate of Joanna's late husband, Valentine Rowell[9]. |
| ESTATE |
In the name of God Amen the 24 day of Marche: 1670-71 I William Sargent of ye town of Emsbery in ye County of Norfolk Massechusets in Newengland: Seaman: being in preitty good health of body, & of sound, & pfect memorie (praise bee giuen to god for ye same) & knowing ye vncertenty of this life on earth, & being desierous to settle things in order doe make this my last will & Testamt in manner, & forme following: That is to say. First & principally I comend my soule to Allmighty God my Creator assueredly beleiuing yt I shall receiue full pardon & free remission of all my sinns & be saved by ye prcious death & meritts of my blessed Savior & Redeemer Christ Jesus, & my body to ye earth from whence it was taken to bee buried in such decent & Christian manner as to my Executors, hereafter named shalbe thought meet & convenient: and as touching such worldly estate as ye lord in mercy hath lent mee my will & meaning is ye same shalbee imployed & bestowed as hereafter by this my will is expressed, And first I doe revoke, renounce frustrate & make voyd all wills by mee formerly made & declare & appoint this my last will & Testamt Item I giue & bequeath : to my grandchild William Challis fiue pound: & to my grand childeren: Elizabeth, Lidia: Mary: & Phillip watson Challis to eache of them twenty shillings: Item I giue & bequeath vnto my Grand childeren: Dorethie, & Elizabeth Colby: to each of them twenty shillings: Item I giue vnto my grandchild William Sargent thirty shilling Itt I giue & bequeath vnto my Daughter Elizabeth ye wyfe of Samll Colby fiue pound: Item I giue all ye remaynder of my estate (these my legasies: & my funerall Charges being first payd) vnto my daughter Sarah both howsing & lands: chattells & other moueables wtsoever; alwayes pvided that if she die, wthout childeren: that then ye howsing & lands to bee equally divided: vnto my fower Childeren herafter named i.e.: my sons Thomas & William: & my daughters: Mary and Elizabeth: Item I do constitute ordaine & appoint my sone Thomas Sargent, & my daughter Sarah Sargent, Executors vnto this my will & Testamt: & doe make my loueing brother in law mr Tho: Bradbury: & my Esteemed friend Major Robert Pike, my overseers, to take care that this my will may bee pformed according to ye true intent & meaning therof: And to this my last Will & Testamt: I doe herevnto sett my hand & seale ye day & ye are aboue named." William Sargent (SEAL) Witness: Tho. Bradbury, Mary (her MB mark) Bradbury, John Bradbury[13] Proved in Salisbury court Apr. 13, 1675 by Tho. Bradbury and Jno. Bradbury to be the last will of Wm. Sargent, Sen.[14]
Inventory [of the estate of Willi. Sargent, Senr: copy] taken by Thomas Sargent and John Weed. [housing & lands about ye : copy] house [& oarchyard on both sides ye Contrey way: copy] 85li.; [Halfe ye lott in ye tide: copy] meadows, 16li; [A higledee pigledee lot in ye salt marsh: copy], 25li.; [A lot lying ina place: copy] commonly called ye Lyons mouth, 5li. [10s.; A lot in ye great Swamp: copy], 2li.; [A lott in a place commonly called: copy] Bugmore, 4li.; [a payer of Oxen: copy], 12li. 10s.; [Two Cowes & a Calfe, 7li. 6.; mare #38;& a two year old horse, 3li. 10s.; Two 3 year old heiffers, 6li. 10s.; eighteen sheep & Lambs: copy], 6li.; [five Swine: copy], 2li. 15s.; A cheyn & wedges, tenant saw &: copy], severall other Iron things, 2li. 5s.; [2 Iron potts, 2 tramells: copy], spit, dripin pan, [frying pan, 2 kettles: copy], warming pan & [other Iron things: copy], 2li. 10s.; [4 peuter platters wth: copy], other peuter things & TIn, 1li.; [Earthen ware & wooden platers: copy] & dishes & trayes, 3s.; [hogshead barrels, tubs: copy], Celers wth other wooden things, 12s.; [table, Cubard & seats: copy] belonging to ye house, 1li. 5s.; [bed, bedstead, 2 sheets: copy], 4 blankets, rug & curtin, 7 li.; [bed, bedstead & curtains: copy], truckle bed & beaden [3li.; 3 chests, bible, sheep shears &: copy] other [small: copy] things, 15s.; [woolen yarne: copy], 5s.; [lace, Incle & cot: copy] ten yarne, 1li. 10s.; total, 196li. [Inventory taken as it was given in by Tho. Sargent 8:2m:1675 by us. John Weed. The following came to our knowledge after the apprizement: one sheet, Tow yarn 5 pound, one payle, two ston juggs, smoothing Iron, Carpett, firkin of soap, one blankett, one pillow.
Attested in Salisbury court Apr. 13 1675 by Tho. Sargent. copy]
Sarah Sargent her SS mark) of Eamsbery, maiden, was, by her father, William Sargent of Eamsbery, lately deceased, appointed
executrix of his will with her brother Tho: Sargent, which will was proved in court at Salisbury April 13, 1675, and she now
appoints her said brother to act for her as said executrix, April 14, 1675. Witness: Tho. Bradbury and John Bradbury.
Acknowledged May 10, 1675 before Robert Pike, Commissioner. Note this observation by Anderson, et. al.: "...Although William had married his last wife, Joanna, just a few months before he wrote his will, and she survived him, she was not mentioned, strongly implying that there was a pre-nuptial agreement (of which no record can now be found)...''[15] |
| MARRIAGE #1 | Circa 1636 when William was 34, he first married Elizabeth PERKINS, daughter of John PERKINS, in Salisbury, Essex co., MA[1,2,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50]. Elizabeth was born in 1611[1]. It is not known when she migrated. |
| CHILDREN | 2. | i. | Thomas SARGENT | Please see his own page. |
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3. | ii. | Sarah SARGENT | Sarah was born on 29 February 1651/2 in Salisbury, Essex co., MA[2]. On 22 December 1681 when Sarah was 30, she married Orlando BAGLEY, in Amesbury, Essex co., MA[2,65]. |
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4. | iii. | Mary SARGENT | Mary was born circa 1636 in Salisbury, Essex co., MA[2]. She was deposed on 12 March 1704/5 aged 68 years. Circa 1652 when Mary was 16, she married Philip WATSON-CHALLIS[2]. This date is based on the birth of their first child on 9 July 1653. |
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5. | iv. | Elizabeth1 SARGENT | Elizabeth1 was born circa 1641 in Salisbury, Essex co., MA[2] and died there on 14 September 1641[2]. |
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6. | v. | William SARGENT, JR. | William was born on 2 January 1645/6 in Salisbury, Essex co., MA[2]. William was ordered to be whipped or pay a fine for fornication on 12 April 1670[2,66]. On 23 September 1668 when William was 23, he married Mary COLBY, daughter of Anthony COLBY, in Amesbury, Essex co., MA[2]. |
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7. | vi. | Elizabeth2 SARGENT | Elizabeth2 was born on 22 November 1648 in Salisbury, Essex co., MA[2]. Circa 1668 when Elizabeth2 was 19, she married Samuel COLBY, son of ,b>Anthony COLBY[2]. |
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8. | vii. | [probably Lydia] SARGENT | She was born circa 1650[2] and died in Salisbury, Essex co., MA between 1660 and 1662; she was 10[2]. |
| MARRIAGE #2 | On 18 September 1670 when William was 68, he second married Joanna PINDER, daughter of Henry PINDER & Mary [surname not known], in Amesbury, Essex co., MA[1,2,38,51,52,53,54,55]. Joanna died in October 1690. |
| GENERATION | Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great (G9) Grandfather |
| FAMILY NUMBER | 4076 |
| SOURCES |
1. Edward Carroll Death Record,
19 October 1899, Lynn, Essex co., MA,
1866, 192, p. 186, #337.
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Return to the Sargent2 Index page. |
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| Return to the Family Index page. |
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Return to the Surname Index page. |
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