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Joseph Merriam

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Joseph Merriam

Birth
Tonbridge, Tonbridge and Malling Borough, Kent, England
Death
1 Jan 1641 (aged 40–41)
Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
Burial
Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Joseph was probably born in Tudeley in the County of Kent in England, around 1600. His parents were William Merriam and Sarah Burgess. He married Sarah Goldstone about 1623, probably in Tudeley. He followed his father in the business of being a clothier, and obviously was successful. He formed a partnership to charter a ship and take freight and passengers to New England. Joseph, Sarah and their five children also sailed on that ship, the "Castle" of London, which arrived in Charlestown in July 1638. They settled in Concord, joined the church, and Joseph was admitted as a freeman. Joseph's life in New England was very brief, however, for he died on January 1, 1641. His will, which was written on December 29, 1640, shows his thoughtful, businesslike mind. His oldest son had not yet reached legal age, so he charged his brother and two of the leading citizens of the town with carrying out his plans for his family. He is buried in the Old Hill Burying Ground in Concord. His widow later married Joseph Wheeler of Concord. She died in Concord in 1671.

"The 29th the 10th month of the year of our Lord 1640", Joseph Miriam of Concord being "weake of bodie, but blessed be God of good memory" wrote his will. He gave his wife, Sarah, his entire estate for the raising of their children until the sons are 21 and until the daughters are 21 or at their marriage. When the oldest child is 21, the wife was to receive one-third, and if she married, the same. Sarah was an executor along with Thomas Flint, Simon Willard & Robert Miriam. He died November 1, 1640 (Concord Births, Marriages, & Deaths, p. 2).
Joseph was probably born in Tudeley in the County of Kent in England, around 1600. His parents were William Merriam and Sarah Burgess. He married Sarah Goldstone about 1623, probably in Tudeley. He followed his father in the business of being a clothier, and obviously was successful. He formed a partnership to charter a ship and take freight and passengers to New England. Joseph, Sarah and their five children also sailed on that ship, the "Castle" of London, which arrived in Charlestown in July 1638. They settled in Concord, joined the church, and Joseph was admitted as a freeman. Joseph's life in New England was very brief, however, for he died on January 1, 1641. His will, which was written on December 29, 1640, shows his thoughtful, businesslike mind. His oldest son had not yet reached legal age, so he charged his brother and two of the leading citizens of the town with carrying out his plans for his family. He is buried in the Old Hill Burying Ground in Concord. His widow later married Joseph Wheeler of Concord. She died in Concord in 1671.

"The 29th the 10th month of the year of our Lord 1640", Joseph Miriam of Concord being "weake of bodie, but blessed be God of good memory" wrote his will. He gave his wife, Sarah, his entire estate for the raising of their children until the sons are 21 and until the daughters are 21 or at their marriage. When the oldest child is 21, the wife was to receive one-third, and if she married, the same. Sarah was an executor along with Thomas Flint, Simon Willard & Robert Miriam. He died November 1, 1640 (Concord Births, Marriages, & Deaths, p. 2).


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