Pepper DNA Project

Robert Pepper was born in England and died 07 July 1684 in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. On 14 March 1642-3 he married Elizabeth Johnson in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Elizabeth was the daughter of JOHN JOHNSON and MARGARET (Unknown). She was born 22 Aug 1619 in Ware, Great Amwell, Herfordshire, England, and died 05 Jan 1684/85 in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

Robert Pepper came to America about 1640 and settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts and became a freeman on 10 May 1643.

He served in King Phillip's War 6 July, 1675.

His will was probated on 17 July 1684 Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

He signed, as a donor, the agreement of 31 August 1645 to establish a school at Roxbury.

In 1653 the town of Roxbury voted Robert Pepper and John Groton license "to brew and sell penny bears (probably beers) and cakes and white bread".

He was a signer of a petition of censure to Harvard College on 5 March 1672.

His son John, in his will dated 3 March 1669-70, mentioned his father Robert Pepper, his oldest brother Joseph and Uncle Isaac Johnson.

At least one source considers that Richard Pepper may have been the father of Robert Pepper. However, another source believes them to be brothers. There is no paper trail to prove either one of these conclusions. Richard Pepper along with his wife came on the ship Francis in 1634 from Ipswich, England. His age was then 27 years which if it is correct would preclude any son of his being old enough in March 1642-3 to marry. Richard and Robert both resided at Roxbury and may well have been related.

Robert and Elizabeth Pepper had eleven children according to PEPPER ANCESTRY pg 156 "Family History" by Russell Snow Hitchcock.

The History of the First Church of Roxbury states "Robert Pepper, an olde Xristian died, 7 July 1684". "Sixth Report of the Record Commissioners of Boston" Robert Pepper, his house, barn, and lot being two acres more or less butting upon Isaack Johnson east, upon the highway south, upon Jeams Astwood north, and upon John Graues his heirs west, and five acres more or less upon John Burwell west, upon a highway east, upon Abraham Newell north and upon James Morgan his assignees south, and six acres more or less upon the land lately William Curtisses east, upon William Heath west, upon a highway north, and upon Isaack Johnson south, and six acres more or less upon Isaac Johnson east, and upon Boston bounds west6, and in the last division in the Nookes next Dorchester the fourth lot his own, and the fifth Robert Oynion, and half which maketh in the whole fourteen acres, one quarter and a half which maketh in the whole fourteen acres, one quarter and thirty pole, and in the thousand acres next Deddam seven acres.

At the probate of his will he bequeath to his sons Isaac and Jacob, daughters, Elisabeth Everet, Mary Everet of Dedham, Sarah Mason of Boston and Bethiah, daughter of his son Joseph P. dec according to MA Genealogical Records, 1600s-1800s Pg 354.

Elizabeth Johnson m Robert Pepper (killed by Indians in Northhampton) according to "First Families of America" The Compendium of American Genealogy, 1600s-1800s Vol IV Pg 175

"PEPPER GENEALOGY" Ancestors and Descendants of Robert Pepper of Roxbury, Mass; compiled by Emily Clark Landon; Angola, NY; 1932 ( 7 generations taken from this record).