Parents unknown: some records have her maiden name as SHELLEY, others reflect ADDINGTON

Great-grandmother of ABIGAIL CHAMBERLAIN, the wife of HENRY(6)

Died: in Cambridge Prison, probably on charges of witchcraft

Married: Jan 4, 1646, WILLIAM CHAMBERLAIN, Roxbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts Note: marriage date may not be correct

Thirteen children:

Births recorded at Woburn, Middlesex Co.

1. Timothy CHAMBERLAIN

b: 13 Aug 13, 1649, Woburn, Middlesex, MA

2. Isaac CHAMBERLAIN

b: Oct 1 1650, Woburn, Middlesex, MA

No birth records found

3. William CHAMBERLAIN

b: Apr 9, 1652

4. John CHAMBERLAIN

b: Jan 22, 1654

Births recorded at Billerica, Middlesex Co.

5. Sarah CHAMBERLAIN

b: May 20, 1655, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

6. Jacob CHAMBERLAIN

b: Jan 18, 1657, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

7. Thomas CHAMBERLAIN

b: Feb 20, 1659, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

8. Edmund CHAMBERLAIN

b: Jul 15, 1660, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

9. Rebecca CHAMBERLAIN

b: Feb 25, 1662, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

10. Abraham CHAMBERLAIN

b: Jan 6, 1664, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

11. Ann CHAMBERLAIN

b: Mar 3, 1666, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

12. Clement CHAMBERLAIN

b: May 30, 1669, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

13. Daniel CHAMBERLAIN

b: Sep 27, 1671, Billerica, Middlesex, MA

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Note: REBECCA may have been a SHELLEY or an ADDINGTON (though there are other possibilities). Rebecca Chamberlain, Sarah Shelley and Isaac Addington appear to have been very closely related—likely siblings or half-siblings. As a result, many have guessed that Rebecca's maiden name was either Shelley or Addington. Either may be correct, but as nothing is known about the parents of Rebecca, Sarah and Isaac, Rebecca's maiden name is simply unknown. The best analysis of the problem is found in George Walter Chamberlain's William Chamberlain of Billerica, Massachusetts, (Portland, Me.: the author, 1911), 96–100. Unfortunately, no one has found anything to further clarify the problem in over 100 years.

Contributed by Kimball G. Everingham

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Note: Woburn was settled in 1640, Middlesex County was created in 1643, Massachusetts Bay Company (not yet a colony) was chartered in 1629, Massachusetts statehood was achieved in 1788, and, as we so often forget with these older dates, the USA did not come into being until July 4, 1776.

Contributed by Julie Lake

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The Chamberlain Story

Stories and Family History of the Chamberlain Family in America, by Dennis Chamberlain

In 1688 William and Rebecca Chamberlain and their growing family are now enjoying their homestead east of the Concord River in Billerica. I don't know if they heard about the witch who was convicted and hanged in Boston, or if they paid it any attention. Yet, Salem Village is about to set off an explosion of evil caused by that incident. Dozens of the surrounding towns will feel the effect, including Billerica.

The witchcraft accusations of 1692 had a terrible impact on the William Chamberlain family. While the first accusations implicated misfits and social outcasts, the second wave were against the opposing factions of Salem Village often based on grudges, jealousy or revenge. The third wave of accusations targeted anyone who opposed the trials and dared speak out about them. John Procter called the "afflicted" girls frauds and liars. He was the first man to be accused. The battle soon spread to two dozen other nearby towns including Billerica, the home town of William and Rebecca Chamberlain.

Many citizens of Billerica, which was about 20 miles west of Salem Village, soon found themselves accused. Sarah Carrier accused her uncle and aunt Roger and Mary Allen Toothaker. John Durrant and Rebecca Chamberlain, both of Billerica, were thrown into prison on accusations of witchcraft. Other Billerica residents were summoned to testify as witnesses. John Rogers agreed to attend, Captain Danforth refused, stating that he had nothing to say.

6 Sep 1692 Rebecca Chamberlain, age 67, wife of William and mother of 13 children, died in Cambridge Prison. Rebecca Chamberlain was believed to be a victim of the Salem witch hunts.

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http://www.thechamberlainstory.com/2016/09/22/