AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT

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INDEX OF INDIVIDUALS

FAMILY TREE WHITE

FAMILY TREE BROOKE

UNIDENTIFIED PHOTOS

FATHER

Robert Mansfield

MOTHER

Elizabeth Townsend

WIFE

Bethia Gedney

CHILDREN

1. Hannah Mansfield

Andrew Mansfield was born in England about 1620, and he came to Boston, probably with his brother John, by 1636, in which year he was recorded as a freeman there.

He settled in Lynn in 1638, on Boston Street, in a section which became known as Mansfield's End. This area was that part of the present Boston Street from the Pine Grove Cemetery westward nearly to Federal Street, including Strawberry Avenue, which was originally part of Boston Street, and was called "the Country Road."

On 26 March 1661, Andrew Mansfield, being then about 38 years old, made affidavit to the Court at Ipswich, MA, that he had been an inhabitant of Lynn about 22 or 23 years. In June of 1669, being "about 49 years old, he testified in court concerning the estate of Frances Axey.

Andrew was very active in Town affairs. He was made freeman on 8 July 1645. He was a selectman, and was on committees for laying out roads and settling land disputes. He served as a trial juror and on the Grand Jury 1650-1677. He was called "sergeant" from 31 March 1663, showing the confidence people had in his legal ability. There are many letters on file in the clerk of the courts office of Essex County in his clear legible handwriting showing his ability and that the esteem in which he was held was well merited. He was deputy to the General Court from 1680-1683 inclusive. By reference to the Court records it will be seen that he was entrusted by that body with important commissions.

Andrew married first, in about 1650, Bethia ?. They had at least eight children, and she died on 2 July 1672. Her maiden name is uncertain. It may have been Gedney, according to one source, or Townsend, according to another.

Andrew married second, on 4 June 1673, Mrs. Mary Neal, widow of John Neal and the only child of Francis Lawes, a wealth citizen of Salem. She died 27 June 1681. No known children.

He married third, on 10 Jan 1681-82 (probably 82), Mrs. Elizabeth Conant, widow of Lot Conant of Beverly and daughter of Rev. William and Elizabeth Walton of Marblehead. She was born in England and baptized at the Parish of Seaton, Devonshire, on 27 October 1629. She died 29 September 1674 (sic). Clearly 1674 cannot be correct, but it is copied correctly from the source. She had ten children by her first marriage to Lot Conant, and two of her sons, Nathaniel and John Conant had previously married daughters of Andrew and Bethia Mansfield. Andrew lived in Beverly for a time after his third marriage.

Andrew's will was dated 1 June 1679, with a codicil dated at Boston 19 November 1683. It seems that while attending the General Court, he was taken suddenly and seriously ill, as the codicil was witnessed by members of the court then in session. The exact date of his death is not known, but the inventory of his estate was returned to the Probate Court 28 November 1683, just nine days after the codicil was made.

 

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