Born by about 1609 based on estimated date of marriage. Fisherman who came to Massachusetts Bay in 1634. First settled in Dorchester; moved to Marblehead in 1639, & Gloucester MA, in 1644. Died in Gloucester MA, 18 May 1683.
Married: (1) By about 1634 Joan _____. She died at Gloucester 31 March 1675.
(2) Gloucester 29 May 1676 Alice (_____) Leach. She died Gloucester 10 April 1691. She married first Robert Leach, who died about July 1674.
Source: Anderson's Great Migration Study Project
Per http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html: "Robert Elwell came to America on the ship "RECOVERY OF LONDON," which departed England 31 March 1633 with Gabriel Cornish as Shipmaster."
Per New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635: Name: Robert Elwell Gender: Male Birth Date: 1609 Emigration Year: 1634 First Residence Place: Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA Est Year Changed Residence: 1644 Also Resided At: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683 Death Place: Gloucester
Per Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s: Name: Robert Elwell Year: 1633 Place: New England Source Publication Code: 1219.4 Primary Immigrant: Elwell, Robert Source Bibliography: Coldham, Peter Wilson, "The Complete Book of Emigrants: A Comprehensive Listing Compiled from English Public Records of Those Who Took Ship to the Americas for Political, Religious, and Economic Reasons; of Those Who Were Deported for Vagrancy, Roguery, or Non-Conformity; and of Those Who Were Sold to Labour in the New Colonies." Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. 1607-1660. 1988. 600p. Page: 107
Per Massachusetts Census, 1790-1890: Name: Robert Elwell State: Massachusetts County: Massachusetts Colony Township: Freeman 13 May Year: 1639 Database: MA Early Census Index
Per Massachusetts Applications of Freemen, 1630-91: Name: Robert Elwell Date: 13 May 1640 Original Source: C. R., Vol. I. p. 281.
Notes on Robert Elwell from website, http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html, Stephen Tyler Elwell on FamilyTreeMaker, from Edgewater, Colorado, states: "Robert Elwell (b. About 1612) was born in England, came from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is known to have been a resident of Dorchester, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay (now a part of the city of Boston) in the year 1634. In the Dorchester Town Records for 1 September 1634, reads: "It is ordered that the lot which was granted formerly to John Rocket shall be transferred to Robert Elwell" [Source: Dorchester Town Records]. Robert was know to have been a resident of Dorchester in 1634. There are several records of transfer of land to him in Dorchester Town Records. He was a freeman on the 13th of March 1640, appears an owner of land in Gloucester on the 2nd of April 1642 when he bought of Mr. Milward two acres of upland lying in the harbor between the lots of John Collins and Zebulon Hill and running from his swamp northerly over the next swamp. In 1651 Robert had a grant of land "Stage Neck", now called "Rock Neck". Robert's will specifies location of other land he owned. Robert was counted a citizen of Salem until he actually resided at Gloucester. His children were baptized there until the close of 1641, and his name is on the list of members of the church in 1643. [Source: "Elwell Family in America" by Reverend Jacob Thomas Elwell]. He was listed one of the 82 residents of Gloucester from the time of its first permanent settlement. The map shows Robert Elwell living on Easter Point, on the other side of the harbor from Osmund Dutch and William Vinson. Five Pound Island, which belonged to William Vinson lay between them. [Source: "History of the Town of Gloucester" by John T. Babson]. Robert and wife Joanne had Jacob, born 10 June 1651. Robert Elwell died on 18 May 1683, Joanne died on 31 March 1675. Robert Elwell married Alice Leach on 29 May 1676. [Source: N.E.H. & G., Volume 4, page 361]. In 1635 he appeared as a witness concerning the outrageous conduct of one Thomas Winnerton. Robert was admitted a member of Salem church in 1643. Robert was several times a selectman, the first time in 1649. By 1642 he owned several lots. His first residence was at Harbor. The term "Goodman" was often given to him. He died 1683 leaving an estate worth two hundred pounds. His first wife, Joanne, died in 1675. In 1676 he married Alice Leach who survived him. His children were Samuel, John, Isaac, Josiah, Joseph, Sara (born and died in 1651), Sarah, Thomas, Jacob, Richard and Mary." [Source: Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine, compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little A.M.]
From Robert Elwell's Will: "I Robert Elwell of Gloucester in the County of Essex in New England being by God's providence cast upon my Bed of sicknesse & weaknesse & not knowing how neare the time of my departure out of the world may be & withal knowing how it to be the mind & will of God that a man should Set his house in order before he dye to therefore in order to the disposing of my estate & Goods make knowne & declare this my last Will and Testament in manner & fforme following. Imprims I give & bequeath unto my eldest Sonne Samuel Elwell the house I now dwell in together with all the Barnes & buildings neare adjoyneing which are mine and not otherwise disposed off. as also all the Neck of Land whereupon my said House standeth except what is hereafter disposed of to my sonne Thomas and all the rest of my Land & Meadow both here & at the Eastern Poynt and little good Harbour & elsewhere except only what is hereafter bequeathed to my sonnes John and Thomas otherwise except what is hereafter excepted I give all my Sayd Housing & lands above expressed to him my sayd sonne Samuel and his Heires forever provided always & it is my will & meaning that my sayd sonne Samuel shall maintaine myself & his mother my wife during the terme of our Natural lives with convenient & sufficient mayntenance both for clothing & dyet & washing (it always being understood that our bedding & household we doe not dispose but make use of it for our selves whist we live as we see meet) but otherwise he shall provide us & find both his mother and myselfe with the abovesayd necessaryes of food & Rayment during our Natural Lives sufficiently & also wood for firing convenient & all other necessarys & attendance both in sicknesse & health & so to enter upon the improvement of my sayd Living when I shall appoynt him in case I live & in case I now dye to enter upon the sayd Living presently after my decease. Also I do hereby give & bequeath unto my sayd sonne all my carts ploughs & tackling belonging unto them & all my other Tools for carrying on the worke abovesayd. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John Elwell three Acres of my meadow at little good Harbour to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give unto my sonne Isaac Elwell my cloake after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto my sonne Thomas Elwell the Half acre of Land with the orchyard his house standeth upon and one Acre of meadow or Marsh at Starke naught Harbor (so commonly called) and also one yeareling after my decease to injoy the abovesayd to him his Heirs Executs. Adminis. Or Assignes for ever. Item I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Deliber (Dolliver) a Two yeare old Heifer after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto Samuel Elwell my grandsonne all that my house & Land his Father now liveth in & upon lying & being Situated on the other side of the River or Harbour in Glocester aforesayd fower Acres of said Land being upland adjoining neare sayd House & two Acres being meadow and lying by the Cutt to him & his Heires for ever & in case the sayd Samuel my Grand Sonne doe dye without Heires it shall then fall to my next eldest Grand sonne & so in the like Case of Mortality from one to another of my Grandsonnes. And this my sayd Son Grand Son Samuel to have after my decease and to pay twenty shillings unto his grandmother my wife. Item I give & bequeath unto my Grand Sonne Robert Elwell who now lives with me all my quarter part of my Katch in case he abides with his father and help him. And the sayd Robert shall pay unto his sayd Grandmother my wife the full summ of foure pounds after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my wearing Apparell to my Sonnes to be equally divided amongst them after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my household stuffe or Goodes such as Bedding pots pewter Brasse stooles & Chayres or Chests & Boxes unto all my Children to be equally divided amongst them after my decease & the decease of my wife. And thereas it is above expressed that my sonne Samuel shall have my House I now dwell in after my decease my will & meaning is so long only as my wife aforesayd & hee my sayd sonne do agree & sayd mother like wrather to live by her selfe, I do hereby declare it to be my mind & will fully that then my sayd son shall depart the House & leave it to his mother & shee shall injoy it to her owne peculair use & behoof during her terme of Life. Also whereas it is above expressed that my Sonne Samuel shall have this my living abovesayd to him & his Heirs forever my will & meaning is & I do hereby apoynt my Grandsoone Robert (sone of sayd Samuel) that now liveth with me to be the next Immediate Heir unto this my sayd Living after his ffather my sayd son Samuel to injoy the same to him & his Heires for ever and in case he sayd Robert doe die without Heire it shal then fall to the next eldest of my Grandsonnes surviving. Item I give unto my Grand sonne William Elwell (sonne of my sonne Josiah deceased) a calfe of this yeares breeding. Item I give & bequeath unto my deare & loving wife two Milch Cowes for her owne peculiar use & to dispose of as shee shall see meet & doe also order my son Samuel to provide & bring home ffodder for them during the term of her natural Life & in case he does not provide for them as abovesayd it shall be in the power of my Executor to take away one acre of the meadow at the eastern poynt for the purpose above sayd. Item I give & bequeath unto my wife the use & benefit of the Garden by my now dwelling House to have & improve as she shall see meet during the terme of her natural Life. And all the rest of my Cattell not here disposed off both Cowes & oxen & other younger Cattell I give unto my Sonne Samuel Elwell except only what may be for the discharging of my debts & charges of my executors concerning the ordering of my estate in disposing & distributing & other necessary expenses that they may be at one way or another about the same. Also I leave all my household Goodes with my wife for her use during her Naturall Life & after her decease to be distributed as above sayd. And that this my last Will and Testament may be truly performed I doe intreat my deare & well beloved Friend Mr. John Emerson & Jeffrey Parsons Sen. To be the Executors of this my last will & Testament & doe hereby constitute ordayne authorize & impower them in all Respects the sayd Executors to see it fully executed & performed. And furthermore I doe give two ewe sheep to my wife & the rest of them to my sonne Samuel. Also I doe give my Horse to my wife to have the use of it during her natural Life & my sonne Samuel to provide him winter meat. And my Colt I give unto my sonne Samuel. And in case my sonne Samuel doe not provide Comfortably for his sayd mother my wife according to what is above expressed I doe hereby Authorize & impower my sayd executors to take away & to order & dispose of the sayd Living & Cattell given to my sonne to any whom they shall see meet for my wife's Comfortable subsistence as abovesayd during her Naturall Life. And for the full Confirmation of this my last Will and Testament I have hereunto set my Hand & Seale the fiveteenth day of this Instant May Anno. Dom. One thousand six hundred & eighty three [1683]. Sealed & Subscribed (Seal) in the p'sence of us The marke of the marke of X John Row Sen. Ruth Emerson Jun. Robert Elwell. John Row & Ruth Emerson made oath in court at Salem the 26 of June 1683: that they were both present & did see the said Robert Elwell signe seale & declare the above written to be his last will & testament & that he was then to their best understanding of good understanding & that they signed as witnesses to the above written. Attest HILLIARD VEREN Clerk" (Source: Taken from the book "Elwell Genealogy" which contains the matter presented in "The Elwell Family in America" revised and altered with additions of much importance by Charles Henry Pope, 1906)
Per Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850: Name: Rebert Elwell Gender: Male Spouse: Eals Leach Marriage Date: 29 May 1676 City: Gloucester County: Essex Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0864859 & 0864861-0864862.
From the book "Elwelliana - Memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1843-1916," by Elizabeth Starr Versailles, Los Angeles Publishing Library, California, 1909: "Robert Elwell immigrated from England to Dorchester (now Boston), Massachusetts during or before 1834. He married twice, moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1642, and died in 1683."
Per www.genealogy.com/users/b/r/a/William-E-Brackett/FILE/0009page.html: "ELWELL - Elwell is of English derivation. It is thought to come from the old english Hael (omen) + Wella (spring) and is a reference to pagan river worship. There is a place in Dorset County, England named Elwell. The surname today is found in the west midhighlands of England. In England about 1450 there were two manors with similar names. One of these was Elwell in Dorset County and the other is Elvill or Elfael, which appears to be in Wales. Some feel the Elwell family name predates the location of that name and others believe the family name is derived from the place name. I have found the place name goes back into the 1200s and originally appears to have been Elfael. The place name in Dorset County developed into Elwell by the 1450 s. On July 21, 1452 Henry VI granted to his Queen Margaret diverse castles, lordships, towns, lands". Some of these were "our manors of Porland alias Portland, Weymouth, Weeke and Elwell, co. Dorset, which came into our hands in right of our Crown of England. There was a Hildebrand Elwell who under Henry VI's reign was a grocer. On 02 May 1425 at Westminster there is a court record which reads: "John Redeler late of Welles, County, Somerset, clerk, for not appearing before the king's justices of the Bench to answer Hildebrand Elwell, grocer of the town of Wells, touching a plea of debt of 40s." Hildebrand Elwell was once again mentioned in the court records on 28 Feb 1427 at Westminster: "Grant, by advice of the council, and pursuant to letters patent of 30 October, 3 Henry VI, to John Stourton and John Reynold, for whom Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', and Martin Jacob of the county of Somerset, 'gentleman', have become sureties, of all the issues, rents, farms, profits, and commodities of the temporalities of the bishopric of Bath and Wells, from 27 October, 3 Henry VI, when Nicholas, late bishop, died until 12 May following, paying therefor 872 l. 7s. 9 d. They may also set off against this sum, any amounts paid by them or by Walter Hungerford, knight John Juyn. Richard Martyn or Mayn or Thomas Shelford, on any tallies levied at the receipt of the Exchequer on the custody of the said temporalities, and also the 400 l. which have been lent to the king by the said Stourton, Reynold and Shelford." Hildebrand Elwell is again in the court records on November 15, 1433 at Westminster: "Thomas Mountagu of Exeter, co. Devon, 'mercer', executor of the will of Robert Hore, late of Bridpord, co. Dorset, 'chapman', for not appearing before the same, when sued with Robert Norton of Exeter, co. Devon, 'belyetter', Stephen Frakke of the same, 'husbondman', William Tauntfere of the same, carpenter, and Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', his co-executors, to answer William Olyver, citizen and grocer of London, touching a plea that they render to him 17 l." Hildebrand Elwell appears to have been from Wells (1425) in Dorset County and later (1427) lived in London. I believe these are one in the same persons. In the 1660, there is a John Elvill of Exeter who is a "merchant". The Treasury Books indicate that on October 22, 1662 "Warrant from Treasurer Southhampton to the Customs Farmers to permit John Elvill, of Exeter, merchant, to make an entry of vinegar on paying Customs according to the Book of Rates" again on May 20, 1664 "to discharge a seizure of some drapery and calf-skins seized at Exeter belonging to John Elwill. Prefixing: Note of said John Elwell's petition and report thereon from the Custom Farmers." Note the name is spelled Elvill, Elwill and Elwell in the same document. This Elwell of Exeter, England would have been a contemporary of Robert Elwell of New England and may have been a relative. The sum of the family groups that follow were borrowed from work done by Stephen T. Elwell. There is also a book compiled and edited by Elizabeth Starr Versailles of Williamsburg, Massachusetts in 1974 that contains the memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1854-1916. This book is titled Elwelliana. According to the book series, Immigrants To America, Robert Elwell came to New England aboard the ship RECOVERY. This record is dated 31 March 1633 and reads: Planters carrying with them household goods, clothing and provisions for themselves, their wives, children and servants, valued at L 920 (pounds) and allowed to pass free of custom by His Majestys patent, to be shipped on the RECOVERY of London, Mr. Gabriel Cornish, from Weymouth to New England: Thomas Newbery, Thomas Long, Davide Phippen, Jonathan Gillet, Elizabeth Parkman, Mary Coggen, Thomas Wakely, Daniel Norchat, Joseph Androes, Robert Dible, John Pope, Stephen Terrey, Robert Elwell, John Wotts, William Bowne, John Hardy, Sarah Hill, John Woolcocke, Thomas Shawe, Anthony Eames, Thomas Swift, George P....., Thomas Biscomb, Ezechia Hore, John Elderman, John Pinny. Robert Elwell is thought to have been in Dorchester, now part of Boston, as early as 1634. It is believed that Robert Elwell was born about 1612 in England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Robert Elwell came to New England from Stokes Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is seen in New England records as early as 1634. He owned land in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1634. Robert Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts on 18 May 1683. He was admitted as a freeman on 13 May 1640 in Boston. According to the Genealogical Guide To The Early Settlers of America, Robert Elwell, of Dorchester, 1635 removed 1638 to Salem, there had baptized, besides two others not named, John Elwell, 1640; and Isaac, 1642. Robert Elwell removed to Gloucester, Massachusetts and was a selectman there in 1648 and was elected selectman several times after that. Robert Elwell is included as an inhabitant of Gloucester, Massachusetts from the time of its settlement. Robert Elwell married Joanne Dalliber or Dolliver possibly in Stoke Abbot, Dorset, England. Joanne was born about 1617. Joanne Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts 31 January 1675. The Gloucester Death records indicate Elwell, Joan w. Robert, 31:1m:1675. Her name is also seen as Jane? Their children were thought to be: Mary Elwell b. abt 1634 Samuel Elwell b. 1635 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Unknown Elwell b. 1639 d. at age six months John Elwell b. 23 Jan 1639/40 in Salem, Massachusetts Isaac Elwell b. 27 Dec 1641/2 in Salem, Massachusetts Josiah Elwell b. abt. 1644 Joseph Elwell b. May 1648 Sarah Elwell b. 1651 d. 1651 Sarah Elwell b. 1652 d. 1655 Thomas Elwell b. abt. 1654 Jacob Elwell b. 10 Jun 1657 Richard Elwell b. Apr 1658
On 29 May 1676 a Robert Elwell married Eals Leach the widow of Robert Leach. The Court Record spells her name Alce Leach. This name may also be Alice? She died in 1691. This is thought to be Robert's second wife. [Note: There is some controversy over Robert Elwells 1st wife's maiden name. Some of the family believes it was Doliver/Daliber and others do not. There is no proof of her last name]. According to the Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Robert Elwell took the oath to be a constable on 30 Jul 1640. The oath was: "Whereas you are chosen to the office on constable within the town or liberties of Salem for the space of one year until a new be chosen in your room, you do here swear and take God to witness that you will faithfully serve this Commonwealth in the said office, during all the said tim, you shall carefully see to the preservance of the peace, you shall arrest all such as in your presence shall go about to disturbe the same and crry them to the next magistrate, you shall duly execute all warrants and sommands delivered to you from Lawfull authority. You shall endeavor to find out and present all disorders in common victualling house and all offence of drunkenness and you shall see that true weights and measures be kept and used by all men in your town. So help you God." In 1641 Robert Elwell was sworn as the Constable for Marblehead. In 1647 Robert Elwell was involved in a court case concerning a boat they had borrowed and lost. In 1648/49 he was involved in a court case where one "Thomas Bowin" abused him with "reproachful words, being as it was supposed, in drink". In November of 1651 Robert Elwell was "chosen and sworn a commissioner for Gloster to end small causes". As late as 1662 he was still serving as a commissioner in Gloucester. In 1658 William Vinson was sworn as the Constable for Gloucester and Robert Elwell signed the certificate. Robert Elwells wife's maiden name may have been, Dolliver or Dalliver. There were others of this name mentioned in these same Essex County Court Records as early as 1642, the first being Tristam Dalebar. There was also a Joseph Dalebar and a Samuel Dallabar both in 1642. These are assumed to be Robert Elwell's wife's relatives. This name gets spelled: Doliver, Dalebar, Daleber, Dalibar, Daliber, Dallabar, Dallebar, Dalliber, Dallivar, Dalliver, Dalabarr, Daulover, Doliber and Dolliver. The Dolliver family was also from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire County, England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Dolbear, Samuel and Tristram came to New England from Stoke Abbot."
Per Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Name: Robert Elwell Event Type: Death Event City: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683
Per U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970: Name: Robert Elwell SAR Membership: 86497 Birth Place: Stoke Abbot Parish, England Death Date: 18 May 1683 Spouse: Joane Elwell Children: Thomas Elwell
Per Essex, Massachusetts Probate Records, 1648-1840: Name: Robert Elwell Death: 1683 Massachusetts, British America Civil: 1683 Residence: Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, British America
Married: (1) By about 1634 Joan _____. She died at Gloucester 31 March 1675.
(2) Gloucester 29 May 1676 Alice (_____) Leach. She died Gloucester 10 April 1691. She married first Robert Leach, who died about July 1674.
Source: Anderson's Great Migration Study Project
Per http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html: "Robert Elwell came to America on the ship "RECOVERY OF LONDON," which departed England 31 March 1633 with Gabriel Cornish as Shipmaster."
Per New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635: Name: Robert Elwell Gender: Male Birth Date: 1609 Emigration Year: 1634 First Residence Place: Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA Est Year Changed Residence: 1644 Also Resided At: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683 Death Place: Gloucester
Per Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s: Name: Robert Elwell Year: 1633 Place: New England Source Publication Code: 1219.4 Primary Immigrant: Elwell, Robert Source Bibliography: Coldham, Peter Wilson, "The Complete Book of Emigrants: A Comprehensive Listing Compiled from English Public Records of Those Who Took Ship to the Americas for Political, Religious, and Economic Reasons; of Those Who Were Deported for Vagrancy, Roguery, or Non-Conformity; and of Those Who Were Sold to Labour in the New Colonies." Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. 1607-1660. 1988. 600p. Page: 107
Per Massachusetts Census, 1790-1890: Name: Robert Elwell State: Massachusetts County: Massachusetts Colony Township: Freeman 13 May Year: 1639 Database: MA Early Census Index
Per Massachusetts Applications of Freemen, 1630-91: Name: Robert Elwell Date: 13 May 1640 Original Source: C. R., Vol. I. p. 281.
Notes on Robert Elwell from website, http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html, Stephen Tyler Elwell on FamilyTreeMaker, from Edgewater, Colorado, states: "Robert Elwell (b. About 1612) was born in England, came from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is known to have been a resident of Dorchester, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay (now a part of the city of Boston) in the year 1634. In the Dorchester Town Records for 1 September 1634, reads: "It is ordered that the lot which was granted formerly to John Rocket shall be transferred to Robert Elwell" [Source: Dorchester Town Records]. Robert was know to have been a resident of Dorchester in 1634. There are several records of transfer of land to him in Dorchester Town Records. He was a freeman on the 13th of March 1640, appears an owner of land in Gloucester on the 2nd of April 1642 when he bought of Mr. Milward two acres of upland lying in the harbor between the lots of John Collins and Zebulon Hill and running from his swamp northerly over the next swamp. In 1651 Robert had a grant of land "Stage Neck", now called "Rock Neck". Robert's will specifies location of other land he owned. Robert was counted a citizen of Salem until he actually resided at Gloucester. His children were baptized there until the close of 1641, and his name is on the list of members of the church in 1643. [Source: "Elwell Family in America" by Reverend Jacob Thomas Elwell]. He was listed one of the 82 residents of Gloucester from the time of its first permanent settlement. The map shows Robert Elwell living on Easter Point, on the other side of the harbor from Osmund Dutch and William Vinson. Five Pound Island, which belonged to William Vinson lay between them. [Source: "History of the Town of Gloucester" by John T. Babson]. Robert and wife Joanne had Jacob, born 10 June 1651. Robert Elwell died on 18 May 1683, Joanne died on 31 March 1675. Robert Elwell married Alice Leach on 29 May 1676. [Source: N.E.H. & G., Volume 4, page 361]. In 1635 he appeared as a witness concerning the outrageous conduct of one Thomas Winnerton. Robert was admitted a member of Salem church in 1643. Robert was several times a selectman, the first time in 1649. By 1642 he owned several lots. His first residence was at Harbor. The term "Goodman" was often given to him. He died 1683 leaving an estate worth two hundred pounds. His first wife, Joanne, died in 1675. In 1676 he married Alice Leach who survived him. His children were Samuel, John, Isaac, Josiah, Joseph, Sara (born and died in 1651), Sarah, Thomas, Jacob, Richard and Mary." [Source: Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine, compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little A.M.]
From Robert Elwell's Will: "I Robert Elwell of Gloucester in the County of Essex in New England being by God's providence cast upon my Bed of sicknesse & weaknesse & not knowing how neare the time of my departure out of the world may be & withal knowing how it to be the mind & will of God that a man should Set his house in order before he dye to therefore in order to the disposing of my estate & Goods make knowne & declare this my last Will and Testament in manner & fforme following. Imprims I give & bequeath unto my eldest Sonne Samuel Elwell the house I now dwell in together with all the Barnes & buildings neare adjoyneing which are mine and not otherwise disposed off. as also all the Neck of Land whereupon my said House standeth except what is hereafter disposed of to my sonne Thomas and all the rest of my Land & Meadow both here & at the Eastern Poynt and little good Harbour & elsewhere except only what is hereafter bequeathed to my sonnes John and Thomas otherwise except what is hereafter excepted I give all my Sayd Housing & lands above expressed to him my sayd sonne Samuel and his Heires forever provided always & it is my will & meaning that my sayd sonne Samuel shall maintaine myself & his mother my wife during the terme of our Natural lives with convenient & sufficient mayntenance both for clothing & dyet & washing (it always being understood that our bedding & household we doe not dispose but make use of it for our selves whist we live as we see meet) but otherwise he shall provide us & find both his mother and myselfe with the abovesayd necessaryes of food & Rayment during our Natural Lives sufficiently & also wood for firing convenient & all other necessarys & attendance both in sicknesse & health & so to enter upon the improvement of my sayd Living when I shall appoynt him in case I live & in case I now dye to enter upon the sayd Living presently after my decease. Also I do hereby give & bequeath unto my sayd sonne all my carts ploughs & tackling belonging unto them & all my other Tools for carrying on the worke abovesayd. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John Elwell three Acres of my meadow at little good Harbour to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give unto my sonne Isaac Elwell my cloake after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto my sonne Thomas Elwell the Half acre of Land with the orchyard his house standeth upon and one Acre of meadow or Marsh at Starke naught Harbor (so commonly called) and also one yeareling after my decease to injoy the abovesayd to him his Heirs Executs. Adminis. Or Assignes for ever. Item I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Deliber (Dolliver) a Two yeare old Heifer after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto Samuel Elwell my grandsonne all that my house & Land his Father now liveth in & upon lying & being Situated on the other side of the River or Harbour in Glocester aforesayd fower Acres of said Land being upland adjoining neare sayd House & two Acres being meadow and lying by the Cutt to him & his Heires for ever & in case the sayd Samuel my Grand Sonne doe dye without Heires it shall then fall to my next eldest Grand sonne & so in the like Case of Mortality from one to another of my Grandsonnes. And this my sayd Son Grand Son Samuel to have after my decease and to pay twenty shillings unto his grandmother my wife. Item I give & bequeath unto my Grand Sonne Robert Elwell who now lives with me all my quarter part of my Katch in case he abides with his father and help him. And the sayd Robert shall pay unto his sayd Grandmother my wife the full summ of foure pounds after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my wearing Apparell to my Sonnes to be equally divided amongst them after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my household stuffe or Goodes such as Bedding pots pewter Brasse stooles & Chayres or Chests & Boxes unto all my Children to be equally divided amongst them after my decease & the decease of my wife. And thereas it is above expressed that my sonne Samuel shall have my House I now dwell in after my decease my will & meaning is so long only as my wife aforesayd & hee my sayd sonne do agree & sayd mother like wrather to live by her selfe, I do hereby declare it to be my mind & will fully that then my sayd son shall depart the House & leave it to his mother & shee shall injoy it to her owne peculair use & behoof during her terme of Life. Also whereas it is above expressed that my Sonne Samuel shall have this my living abovesayd to him & his Heirs forever my will & meaning is & I do hereby apoynt my Grandsoone Robert (sone of sayd Samuel) that now liveth with me to be the next Immediate Heir unto this my sayd Living after his ffather my sayd son Samuel to injoy the same to him & his Heires for ever and in case he sayd Robert doe die without Heire it shal then fall to the next eldest of my Grandsonnes surviving. Item I give unto my Grand sonne William Elwell (sonne of my sonne Josiah deceased) a calfe of this yeares breeding. Item I give & bequeath unto my deare & loving wife two Milch Cowes for her owne peculiar use & to dispose of as shee shall see meet & doe also order my son Samuel to provide & bring home ffodder for them during the term of her natural Life & in case he does not provide for them as abovesayd it shall be in the power of my Executor to take away one acre of the meadow at the eastern poynt for the purpose above sayd. Item I give & bequeath unto my wife the use & benefit of the Garden by my now dwelling House to have & improve as she shall see meet during the terme of her natural Life. And all the rest of my Cattell not here disposed off both Cowes & oxen & other younger Cattell I give unto my Sonne Samuel Elwell except only what may be for the discharging of my debts & charges of my executors concerning the ordering of my estate in disposing & distributing & other necessary expenses that they may be at one way or another about the same. Also I leave all my household Goodes with my wife for her use during her Naturall Life & after her decease to be distributed as above sayd. And that this my last Will and Testament may be truly performed I doe intreat my deare & well beloved Friend Mr. John Emerson & Jeffrey Parsons Sen. To be the Executors of this my last will & Testament & doe hereby constitute ordayne authorize & impower them in all Respects the sayd Executors to see it fully executed & performed. And furthermore I doe give two ewe sheep to my wife & the rest of them to my sonne Samuel. Also I doe give my Horse to my wife to have the use of it during her natural Life & my sonne Samuel to provide him winter meat. And my Colt I give unto my sonne Samuel. And in case my sonne Samuel doe not provide Comfortably for his sayd mother my wife according to what is above expressed I doe hereby Authorize & impower my sayd executors to take away & to order & dispose of the sayd Living & Cattell given to my sonne to any whom they shall see meet for my wife's Comfortable subsistence as abovesayd during her Naturall Life. And for the full Confirmation of this my last Will and Testament I have hereunto set my Hand & Seale the fiveteenth day of this Instant May Anno. Dom. One thousand six hundred & eighty three [1683]. Sealed & Subscribed (Seal) in the p'sence of us The marke of the marke of X John Row Sen. Ruth Emerson Jun. Robert Elwell. John Row & Ruth Emerson made oath in court at Salem the 26 of June 1683: that they were both present & did see the said Robert Elwell signe seale & declare the above written to be his last will & testament & that he was then to their best understanding of good understanding & that they signed as witnesses to the above written. Attest HILLIARD VEREN Clerk" (Source: Taken from the book "Elwell Genealogy" which contains the matter presented in "The Elwell Family in America" revised and altered with additions of much importance by Charles Henry Pope, 1906)
Per Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850: Name: Rebert Elwell Gender: Male Spouse: Eals Leach Marriage Date: 29 May 1676 City: Gloucester County: Essex Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0864859 & 0864861-0864862.
From the book "Elwelliana - Memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1843-1916," by Elizabeth Starr Versailles, Los Angeles Publishing Library, California, 1909: "Robert Elwell immigrated from England to Dorchester (now Boston), Massachusetts during or before 1834. He married twice, moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1642, and died in 1683."
Per www.genealogy.com/users/b/r/a/William-E-Brackett/FILE/0009page.html: "ELWELL - Elwell is of English derivation. It is thought to come from the old english Hael (omen) + Wella (spring) and is a reference to pagan river worship. There is a place in Dorset County, England named Elwell. The surname today is found in the west midhighlands of England. In England about 1450 there were two manors with similar names. One of these was Elwell in Dorset County and the other is Elvill or Elfael, which appears to be in Wales. Some feel the Elwell family name predates the location of that name and others believe the family name is derived from the place name. I have found the place name goes back into the 1200s and originally appears to have been Elfael. The place name in Dorset County developed into Elwell by the 1450 s. On July 21, 1452 Henry VI granted to his Queen Margaret diverse castles, lordships, towns, lands". Some of these were "our manors of Porland alias Portland, Weymouth, Weeke and Elwell, co. Dorset, which came into our hands in right of our Crown of England. There was a Hildebrand Elwell who under Henry VI's reign was a grocer. On 02 May 1425 at Westminster there is a court record which reads: "John Redeler late of Welles, County, Somerset, clerk, for not appearing before the king's justices of the Bench to answer Hildebrand Elwell, grocer of the town of Wells, touching a plea of debt of 40s." Hildebrand Elwell was once again mentioned in the court records on 28 Feb 1427 at Westminster: "Grant, by advice of the council, and pursuant to letters patent of 30 October, 3 Henry VI, to John Stourton and John Reynold, for whom Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', and Martin Jacob of the county of Somerset, 'gentleman', have become sureties, of all the issues, rents, farms, profits, and commodities of the temporalities of the bishopric of Bath and Wells, from 27 October, 3 Henry VI, when Nicholas, late bishop, died until 12 May following, paying therefor 872 l. 7s. 9 d. They may also set off against this sum, any amounts paid by them or by Walter Hungerford, knight John Juyn. Richard Martyn or Mayn or Thomas Shelford, on any tallies levied at the receipt of the Exchequer on the custody of the said temporalities, and also the 400 l. which have been lent to the king by the said Stourton, Reynold and Shelford." Hildebrand Elwell is again in the court records on November 15, 1433 at Westminster: "Thomas Mountagu of Exeter, co. Devon, 'mercer', executor of the will of Robert Hore, late of Bridpord, co. Dorset, 'chapman', for not appearing before the same, when sued with Robert Norton of Exeter, co. Devon, 'belyetter', Stephen Frakke of the same, 'husbondman', William Tauntfere of the same, carpenter, and Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', his co-executors, to answer William Olyver, citizen and grocer of London, touching a plea that they render to him 17 l." Hildebrand Elwell appears to have been from Wells (1425) in Dorset County and later (1427) lived in London. I believe these are one in the same persons. In the 1660, there is a John Elvill of Exeter who is a "merchant". The Treasury Books indicate that on October 22, 1662 "Warrant from Treasurer Southhampton to the Customs Farmers to permit John Elvill, of Exeter, merchant, to make an entry of vinegar on paying Customs according to the Book of Rates" again on May 20, 1664 "to discharge a seizure of some drapery and calf-skins seized at Exeter belonging to John Elwill. Prefixing: Note of said John Elwell's petition and report thereon from the Custom Farmers." Note the name is spelled Elvill, Elwill and Elwell in the same document. This Elwell of Exeter, England would have been a contemporary of Robert Elwell of New England and may have been a relative. The sum of the family groups that follow were borrowed from work done by Stephen T. Elwell. There is also a book compiled and edited by Elizabeth Starr Versailles of Williamsburg, Massachusetts in 1974 that contains the memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1854-1916. This book is titled Elwelliana. According to the book series, Immigrants To America, Robert Elwell came to New England aboard the ship RECOVERY. This record is dated 31 March 1633 and reads: Planters carrying with them household goods, clothing and provisions for themselves, their wives, children and servants, valued at L 920 (pounds) and allowed to pass free of custom by His Majestys patent, to be shipped on the RECOVERY of London, Mr. Gabriel Cornish, from Weymouth to New England: Thomas Newbery, Thomas Long, Davide Phippen, Jonathan Gillet, Elizabeth Parkman, Mary Coggen, Thomas Wakely, Daniel Norchat, Joseph Androes, Robert Dible, John Pope, Stephen Terrey, Robert Elwell, John Wotts, William Bowne, John Hardy, Sarah Hill, John Woolcocke, Thomas Shawe, Anthony Eames, Thomas Swift, George P....., Thomas Biscomb, Ezechia Hore, John Elderman, John Pinny. Robert Elwell is thought to have been in Dorchester, now part of Boston, as early as 1634. It is believed that Robert Elwell was born about 1612 in England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Robert Elwell came to New England from Stokes Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is seen in New England records as early as 1634. He owned land in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1634. Robert Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts on 18 May 1683. He was admitted as a freeman on 13 May 1640 in Boston. According to the Genealogical Guide To The Early Settlers of America, Robert Elwell, of Dorchester, 1635 removed 1638 to Salem, there had baptized, besides two others not named, John Elwell, 1640; and Isaac, 1642. Robert Elwell removed to Gloucester, Massachusetts and was a selectman there in 1648 and was elected selectman several times after that. Robert Elwell is included as an inhabitant of Gloucester, Massachusetts from the time of its settlement. Robert Elwell married Joanne Dalliber or Dolliver possibly in Stoke Abbot, Dorset, England. Joanne was born about 1617. Joanne Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts 31 January 1675. The Gloucester Death records indicate Elwell, Joan w. Robert, 31:1m:1675. Her name is also seen as Jane? Their children were thought to be: Mary Elwell b. abt 1634 Samuel Elwell b. 1635 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Unknown Elwell b. 1639 d. at age six months John Elwell b. 23 Jan 1639/40 in Salem, Massachusetts Isaac Elwell b. 27 Dec 1641/2 in Salem, Massachusetts Josiah Elwell b. abt. 1644 Joseph Elwell b. May 1648 Sarah Elwell b. 1651 d. 1651 Sarah Elwell b. 1652 d. 1655 Thomas Elwell b. abt. 1654 Jacob Elwell b. 10 Jun 1657 Richard Elwell b. Apr 1658
On 29 May 1676 a Robert Elwell married Eals Leach the widow of Robert Leach. The Court Record spells her name Alce Leach. This name may also be Alice? She died in 1691. This is thought to be Robert's second wife. [Note: There is some controversy over Robert Elwells 1st wife's maiden name. Some of the family believes it was Doliver/Daliber and others do not. There is no proof of her last name]. According to the Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Robert Elwell took the oath to be a constable on 30 Jul 1640. The oath was: "Whereas you are chosen to the office on constable within the town or liberties of Salem for the space of one year until a new be chosen in your room, you do here swear and take God to witness that you will faithfully serve this Commonwealth in the said office, during all the said tim, you shall carefully see to the preservance of the peace, you shall arrest all such as in your presence shall go about to disturbe the same and crry them to the next magistrate, you shall duly execute all warrants and sommands delivered to you from Lawfull authority. You shall endeavor to find out and present all disorders in common victualling house and all offence of drunkenness and you shall see that true weights and measures be kept and used by all men in your town. So help you God." In 1641 Robert Elwell was sworn as the Constable for Marblehead. In 1647 Robert Elwell was involved in a court case concerning a boat they had borrowed and lost. In 1648/49 he was involved in a court case where one "Thomas Bowin" abused him with "reproachful words, being as it was supposed, in drink". In November of 1651 Robert Elwell was "chosen and sworn a commissioner for Gloster to end small causes". As late as 1662 he was still serving as a commissioner in Gloucester. In 1658 William Vinson was sworn as the Constable for Gloucester and Robert Elwell signed the certificate. Robert Elwells wife's maiden name may have been, Dolliver or Dalliver. There were others of this name mentioned in these same Essex County Court Records as early as 1642, the first being Tristam Dalebar. There was also a Joseph Dalebar and a Samuel Dallabar both in 1642. These are assumed to be Robert Elwell's wife's relatives. This name gets spelled: Doliver, Dalebar, Daleber, Dalibar, Daliber, Dallabar, Dallebar, Dalliber, Dallivar, Dalliver, Dalabarr, Daulover, Doliber and Dolliver. The Dolliver family was also from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire County, England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Dolbear, Samuel and Tristram came to New England from Stoke Abbot."
Per Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Name: Robert Elwell Event Type: Death Event City: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683
Per U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970: Name: Robert Elwell SAR Membership: 86497 Birth Place: Stoke Abbot Parish, England Death Date: 18 May 1683 Spouse: Joane Elwell Children: Thomas Elwell
Per Essex, Massachusetts Probate Records, 1648-1840: Name: Robert Elwell Death: 1683 Massachusetts, British America Civil: 1683 Residence: Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, British America
Born by about 1609 based on estimated date of marriage. Fisherman who came to Massachusetts Bay in 1634. First settled in Dorchester; moved to Marblehead in 1639, & Gloucester MA, in 1644. Died in Gloucester MA, 18 May 1683.
Married: (1) By about 1634 Joan _____. She died at Gloucester 31 March 1675.
(2) Gloucester 29 May 1676 Alice (_____) Leach. She died Gloucester 10 April 1691. She married first Robert Leach, who died about July 1674.
Source: Anderson's Great Migration Study Project
Per http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html: "Robert Elwell came to America on the ship "RECOVERY OF LONDON," which departed England 31 March 1633 with Gabriel Cornish as Shipmaster."
Per New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635: Name: Robert Elwell Gender: Male Birth Date: 1609 Emigration Year: 1634 First Residence Place: Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA Est Year Changed Residence: 1644 Also Resided At: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683 Death Place: Gloucester
Per Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s: Name: Robert Elwell Year: 1633 Place: New England Source Publication Code: 1219.4 Primary Immigrant: Elwell, Robert Source Bibliography: Coldham, Peter Wilson, "The Complete Book of Emigrants: A Comprehensive Listing Compiled from English Public Records of Those Who Took Ship to the Americas for Political, Religious, and Economic Reasons; of Those Who Were Deported for Vagrancy, Roguery, or Non-Conformity; and of Those Who Were Sold to Labour in the New Colonies." Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. 1607-1660. 1988. 600p. Page: 107
Per Massachusetts Census, 1790-1890: Name: Robert Elwell State: Massachusetts County: Massachusetts Colony Township: Freeman 13 May Year: 1639 Database: MA Early Census Index
Per Massachusetts Applications of Freemen, 1630-91: Name: Robert Elwell Date: 13 May 1640 Original Source: C. R., Vol. I. p. 281.
Notes on Robert Elwell from website, http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html, Stephen Tyler Elwell on FamilyTreeMaker, from Edgewater, Colorado, states: "Robert Elwell (b. About 1612) was born in England, came from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is known to have been a resident of Dorchester, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay (now a part of the city of Boston) in the year 1634. In the Dorchester Town Records for 1 September 1634, reads: "It is ordered that the lot which was granted formerly to John Rocket shall be transferred to Robert Elwell" [Source: Dorchester Town Records]. Robert was know to have been a resident of Dorchester in 1634. There are several records of transfer of land to him in Dorchester Town Records. He was a freeman on the 13th of March 1640, appears an owner of land in Gloucester on the 2nd of April 1642 when he bought of Mr. Milward two acres of upland lying in the harbor between the lots of John Collins and Zebulon Hill and running from his swamp northerly over the next swamp. In 1651 Robert had a grant of land "Stage Neck", now called "Rock Neck". Robert's will specifies location of other land he owned. Robert was counted a citizen of Salem until he actually resided at Gloucester. His children were baptized there until the close of 1641, and his name is on the list of members of the church in 1643. [Source: "Elwell Family in America" by Reverend Jacob Thomas Elwell]. He was listed one of the 82 residents of Gloucester from the time of its first permanent settlement. The map shows Robert Elwell living on Easter Point, on the other side of the harbor from Osmund Dutch and William Vinson. Five Pound Island, which belonged to William Vinson lay between them. [Source: "History of the Town of Gloucester" by John T. Babson]. Robert and wife Joanne had Jacob, born 10 June 1651. Robert Elwell died on 18 May 1683, Joanne died on 31 March 1675. Robert Elwell married Alice Leach on 29 May 1676. [Source: N.E.H. & G., Volume 4, page 361]. In 1635 he appeared as a witness concerning the outrageous conduct of one Thomas Winnerton. Robert was admitted a member of Salem church in 1643. Robert was several times a selectman, the first time in 1649. By 1642 he owned several lots. His first residence was at Harbor. The term "Goodman" was often given to him. He died 1683 leaving an estate worth two hundred pounds. His first wife, Joanne, died in 1675. In 1676 he married Alice Leach who survived him. His children were Samuel, John, Isaac, Josiah, Joseph, Sara (born and died in 1651), Sarah, Thomas, Jacob, Richard and Mary." [Source: Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine, compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little A.M.]
From Robert Elwell's Will: "I Robert Elwell of Gloucester in the County of Essex in New England being by God's providence cast upon my Bed of sicknesse & weaknesse & not knowing how neare the time of my departure out of the world may be & withal knowing how it to be the mind & will of God that a man should Set his house in order before he dye to therefore in order to the disposing of my estate & Goods make knowne & declare this my last Will and Testament in manner & fforme following. Imprims I give & bequeath unto my eldest Sonne Samuel Elwell the house I now dwell in together with all the Barnes & buildings neare adjoyneing which are mine and not otherwise disposed off. as also all the Neck of Land whereupon my said House standeth except what is hereafter disposed of to my sonne Thomas and all the rest of my Land & Meadow both here & at the Eastern Poynt and little good Harbour & elsewhere except only what is hereafter bequeathed to my sonnes John and Thomas otherwise except what is hereafter excepted I give all my Sayd Housing & lands above expressed to him my sayd sonne Samuel and his Heires forever provided always & it is my will & meaning that my sayd sonne Samuel shall maintaine myself & his mother my wife during the terme of our Natural lives with convenient & sufficient mayntenance both for clothing & dyet & washing (it always being understood that our bedding & household we doe not dispose but make use of it for our selves whist we live as we see meet) but otherwise he shall provide us & find both his mother and myselfe with the abovesayd necessaryes of food & Rayment during our Natural Lives sufficiently & also wood for firing convenient & all other necessarys & attendance both in sicknesse & health & so to enter upon the improvement of my sayd Living when I shall appoynt him in case I live & in case I now dye to enter upon the sayd Living presently after my decease. Also I do hereby give & bequeath unto my sayd sonne all my carts ploughs & tackling belonging unto them & all my other Tools for carrying on the worke abovesayd. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John Elwell three Acres of my meadow at little good Harbour to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give unto my sonne Isaac Elwell my cloake after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto my sonne Thomas Elwell the Half acre of Land with the orchyard his house standeth upon and one Acre of meadow or Marsh at Starke naught Harbor (so commonly called) and also one yeareling after my decease to injoy the abovesayd to him his Heirs Executs. Adminis. Or Assignes for ever. Item I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Deliber (Dolliver) a Two yeare old Heifer after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto Samuel Elwell my grandsonne all that my house & Land his Father now liveth in & upon lying & being Situated on the other side of the River or Harbour in Glocester aforesayd fower Acres of said Land being upland adjoining neare sayd House & two Acres being meadow and lying by the Cutt to him & his Heires for ever & in case the sayd Samuel my Grand Sonne doe dye without Heires it shall then fall to my next eldest Grand sonne & so in the like Case of Mortality from one to another of my Grandsonnes. And this my sayd Son Grand Son Samuel to have after my decease and to pay twenty shillings unto his grandmother my wife. Item I give & bequeath unto my Grand Sonne Robert Elwell who now lives with me all my quarter part of my Katch in case he abides with his father and help him. And the sayd Robert shall pay unto his sayd Grandmother my wife the full summ of foure pounds after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my wearing Apparell to my Sonnes to be equally divided amongst them after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my household stuffe or Goodes such as Bedding pots pewter Brasse stooles & Chayres or Chests & Boxes unto all my Children to be equally divided amongst them after my decease & the decease of my wife. And thereas it is above expressed that my sonne Samuel shall have my House I now dwell in after my decease my will & meaning is so long only as my wife aforesayd & hee my sayd sonne do agree & sayd mother like wrather to live by her selfe, I do hereby declare it to be my mind & will fully that then my sayd son shall depart the House & leave it to his mother & shee shall injoy it to her owne peculair use & behoof during her terme of Life. Also whereas it is above expressed that my Sonne Samuel shall have this my living abovesayd to him & his Heirs forever my will & meaning is & I do hereby apoynt my Grandsoone Robert (sone of sayd Samuel) that now liveth with me to be the next Immediate Heir unto this my sayd Living after his ffather my sayd son Samuel to injoy the same to him & his Heires for ever and in case he sayd Robert doe die without Heire it shal then fall to the next eldest of my Grandsonnes surviving. Item I give unto my Grand sonne William Elwell (sonne of my sonne Josiah deceased) a calfe of this yeares breeding. Item I give & bequeath unto my deare & loving wife two Milch Cowes for her owne peculiar use & to dispose of as shee shall see meet & doe also order my son Samuel to provide & bring home ffodder for them during the term of her natural Life & in case he does not provide for them as abovesayd it shall be in the power of my Executor to take away one acre of the meadow at the eastern poynt for the purpose above sayd. Item I give & bequeath unto my wife the use & benefit of the Garden by my now dwelling House to have & improve as she shall see meet during the terme of her natural Life. And all the rest of my Cattell not here disposed off both Cowes & oxen & other younger Cattell I give unto my Sonne Samuel Elwell except only what may be for the discharging of my debts & charges of my executors concerning the ordering of my estate in disposing & distributing & other necessary expenses that they may be at one way or another about the same. Also I leave all my household Goodes with my wife for her use during her Naturall Life & after her decease to be distributed as above sayd. And that this my last Will and Testament may be truly performed I doe intreat my deare & well beloved Friend Mr. John Emerson & Jeffrey Parsons Sen. To be the Executors of this my last will & Testament & doe hereby constitute ordayne authorize & impower them in all Respects the sayd Executors to see it fully executed & performed. And furthermore I doe give two ewe sheep to my wife & the rest of them to my sonne Samuel. Also I doe give my Horse to my wife to have the use of it during her natural Life & my sonne Samuel to provide him winter meat. And my Colt I give unto my sonne Samuel. And in case my sonne Samuel doe not provide Comfortably for his sayd mother my wife according to what is above expressed I doe hereby Authorize & impower my sayd executors to take away & to order & dispose of the sayd Living & Cattell given to my sonne to any whom they shall see meet for my wife's Comfortable subsistence as abovesayd during her Naturall Life. And for the full Confirmation of this my last Will and Testament I have hereunto set my Hand & Seale the fiveteenth day of this Instant May Anno. Dom. One thousand six hundred & eighty three [1683]. Sealed & Subscribed (Seal) in the p'sence of us The marke of the marke of X John Row Sen. Ruth Emerson Jun. Robert Elwell. John Row & Ruth Emerson made oath in court at Salem the 26 of June 1683: that they were both present & did see the said Robert Elwell signe seale & declare the above written to be his last will & testament & that he was then to their best understanding of good understanding & that they signed as witnesses to the above written. Attest HILLIARD VEREN Clerk" (Source: Taken from the book "Elwell Genealogy" which contains the matter presented in "The Elwell Family in America" revised and altered with additions of much importance by Charles Henry Pope, 1906)
Per Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850: Name: Rebert Elwell Gender: Male Spouse: Eals Leach Marriage Date: 29 May 1676 City: Gloucester County: Essex Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0864859 & 0864861-0864862.
From the book "Elwelliana - Memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1843-1916," by Elizabeth Starr Versailles, Los Angeles Publishing Library, California, 1909: "Robert Elwell immigrated from England to Dorchester (now Boston), Massachusetts during or before 1834. He married twice, moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1642, and died in 1683."
Per www.genealogy.com/users/b/r/a/William-E-Brackett/FILE/0009page.html: "ELWELL - Elwell is of English derivation. It is thought to come from the old english Hael (omen) + Wella (spring) and is a reference to pagan river worship. There is a place in Dorset County, England named Elwell. The surname today is found in the west midhighlands of England. In England about 1450 there were two manors with similar names. One of these was Elwell in Dorset County and the other is Elvill or Elfael, which appears to be in Wales. Some feel the Elwell family name predates the location of that name and others believe the family name is derived from the place name. I have found the place name goes back into the 1200s and originally appears to have been Elfael. The place name in Dorset County developed into Elwell by the 1450 s. On July 21, 1452 Henry VI granted to his Queen Margaret diverse castles, lordships, towns, lands". Some of these were "our manors of Porland alias Portland, Weymouth, Weeke and Elwell, co. Dorset, which came into our hands in right of our Crown of England. There was a Hildebrand Elwell who under Henry VI's reign was a grocer. On 02 May 1425 at Westminster there is a court record which reads: "John Redeler late of Welles, County, Somerset, clerk, for not appearing before the king's justices of the Bench to answer Hildebrand Elwell, grocer of the town of Wells, touching a plea of debt of 40s." Hildebrand Elwell was once again mentioned in the court records on 28 Feb 1427 at Westminster: "Grant, by advice of the council, and pursuant to letters patent of 30 October, 3 Henry VI, to John Stourton and John Reynold, for whom Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', and Martin Jacob of the county of Somerset, 'gentleman', have become sureties, of all the issues, rents, farms, profits, and commodities of the temporalities of the bishopric of Bath and Wells, from 27 October, 3 Henry VI, when Nicholas, late bishop, died until 12 May following, paying therefor 872 l. 7s. 9 d. They may also set off against this sum, any amounts paid by them or by Walter Hungerford, knight John Juyn. Richard Martyn or Mayn or Thomas Shelford, on any tallies levied at the receipt of the Exchequer on the custody of the said temporalities, and also the 400 l. which have been lent to the king by the said Stourton, Reynold and Shelford." Hildebrand Elwell is again in the court records on November 15, 1433 at Westminster: "Thomas Mountagu of Exeter, co. Devon, 'mercer', executor of the will of Robert Hore, late of Bridpord, co. Dorset, 'chapman', for not appearing before the same, when sued with Robert Norton of Exeter, co. Devon, 'belyetter', Stephen Frakke of the same, 'husbondman', William Tauntfere of the same, carpenter, and Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', his co-executors, to answer William Olyver, citizen and grocer of London, touching a plea that they render to him 17 l." Hildebrand Elwell appears to have been from Wells (1425) in Dorset County and later (1427) lived in London. I believe these are one in the same persons. In the 1660, there is a John Elvill of Exeter who is a "merchant". The Treasury Books indicate that on October 22, 1662 "Warrant from Treasurer Southhampton to the Customs Farmers to permit John Elvill, of Exeter, merchant, to make an entry of vinegar on paying Customs according to the Book of Rates" again on May 20, 1664 "to discharge a seizure of some drapery and calf-skins seized at Exeter belonging to John Elwill. Prefixing: Note of said John Elwell's petition and report thereon from the Custom Farmers." Note the name is spelled Elvill, Elwill and Elwell in the same document. This Elwell of Exeter, England would have been a contemporary of Robert Elwell of New England and may have been a relative. The sum of the family groups that follow were borrowed from work done by Stephen T. Elwell. There is also a book compiled and edited by Elizabeth Starr Versailles of Williamsburg, Massachusetts in 1974 that contains the memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1854-1916. This book is titled Elwelliana. According to the book series, Immigrants To America, Robert Elwell came to New England aboard the ship RECOVERY. This record is dated 31 March 1633 and reads: Planters carrying with them household goods, clothing and provisions for themselves, their wives, children and servants, valued at L 920 (pounds) and allowed to pass free of custom by His Majestys patent, to be shipped on the RECOVERY of London, Mr. Gabriel Cornish, from Weymouth to New England: Thomas Newbery, Thomas Long, Davide Phippen, Jonathan Gillet, Elizabeth Parkman, Mary Coggen, Thomas Wakely, Daniel Norchat, Joseph Androes, Robert Dible, John Pope, Stephen Terrey, Robert Elwell, John Wotts, William Bowne, John Hardy, Sarah Hill, John Woolcocke, Thomas Shawe, Anthony Eames, Thomas Swift, George P....., Thomas Biscomb, Ezechia Hore, John Elderman, John Pinny. Robert Elwell is thought to have been in Dorchester, now part of Boston, as early as 1634. It is believed that Robert Elwell was born about 1612 in England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Robert Elwell came to New England from Stokes Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is seen in New England records as early as 1634. He owned land in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1634. Robert Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts on 18 May 1683. He was admitted as a freeman on 13 May 1640 in Boston. According to the Genealogical Guide To The Early Settlers of America, Robert Elwell, of Dorchester, 1635 removed 1638 to Salem, there had baptized, besides two others not named, John Elwell, 1640; and Isaac, 1642. Robert Elwell removed to Gloucester, Massachusetts and was a selectman there in 1648 and was elected selectman several times after that. Robert Elwell is included as an inhabitant of Gloucester, Massachusetts from the time of its settlement. Robert Elwell married Joanne Dalliber or Dolliver possibly in Stoke Abbot, Dorset, England. Joanne was born about 1617. Joanne Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts 31 January 1675. The Gloucester Death records indicate Elwell, Joan w. Robert, 31:1m:1675. Her name is also seen as Jane? Their children were thought to be: Mary Elwell b. abt 1634 Samuel Elwell b. 1635 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Unknown Elwell b. 1639 d. at age six months John Elwell b. 23 Jan 1639/40 in Salem, Massachusetts Isaac Elwell b. 27 Dec 1641/2 in Salem, Massachusetts Josiah Elwell b. abt. 1644 Joseph Elwell b. May 1648 Sarah Elwell b. 1651 d. 1651 Sarah Elwell b. 1652 d. 1655 Thomas Elwell b. abt. 1654 Jacob Elwell b. 10 Jun 1657 Richard Elwell b. Apr 1658
On 29 May 1676 a Robert Elwell married Eals Leach the widow of Robert Leach. The Court Record spells her name Alce Leach. This name may also be Alice? She died in 1691. This is thought to be Robert's second wife. [Note: There is some controversy over Robert Elwells 1st wife's maiden name. Some of the family believes it was Doliver/Daliber and others do not. There is no proof of her last name]. According to the Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Robert Elwell took the oath to be a constable on 30 Jul 1640. The oath was: "Whereas you are chosen to the office on constable within the town or liberties of Salem for the space of one year until a new be chosen in your room, you do here swear and take God to witness that you will faithfully serve this Commonwealth in the said office, during all the said tim, you shall carefully see to the preservance of the peace, you shall arrest all such as in your presence shall go about to disturbe the same and crry them to the next magistrate, you shall duly execute all warrants and sommands delivered to you from Lawfull authority. You shall endeavor to find out and present all disorders in common victualling house and all offence of drunkenness and you shall see that true weights and measures be kept and used by all men in your town. So help you God." In 1641 Robert Elwell was sworn as the Constable for Marblehead. In 1647 Robert Elwell was involved in a court case concerning a boat they had borrowed and lost. In 1648/49 he was involved in a court case where one "Thomas Bowin" abused him with "reproachful words, being as it was supposed, in drink". In November of 1651 Robert Elwell was "chosen and sworn a commissioner for Gloster to end small causes". As late as 1662 he was still serving as a commissioner in Gloucester. In 1658 William Vinson was sworn as the Constable for Gloucester and Robert Elwell signed the certificate. Robert Elwells wife's maiden name may have been, Dolliver or Dalliver. There were others of this name mentioned in these same Essex County Court Records as early as 1642, the first being Tristam Dalebar. There was also a Joseph Dalebar and a Samuel Dallabar both in 1642. These are assumed to be Robert Elwell's wife's relatives. This name gets spelled: Doliver, Dalebar, Daleber, Dalibar, Daliber, Dallabar, Dallebar, Dalliber, Dallivar, Dalliver, Dalabarr, Daulover, Doliber and Dolliver. The Dolliver family was also from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire County, England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Dolbear, Samuel and Tristram came to New England from Stoke Abbot."
Per Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Name: Robert Elwell Event Type: Death Event City: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683
Per U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970: Name: Robert Elwell SAR Membership: 86497 Birth Place: Stoke Abbot Parish, England Death Date: 18 May 1683 Spouse: Joane Elwell Children: Thomas Elwell
Per Essex, Massachusetts Probate Records, 1648-1840: Name: Robert Elwell Death: 1683 Massachusetts, British America Civil: 1683 Residence: Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, British America
Married: (1) By about 1634 Joan _____. She died at Gloucester 31 March 1675.
(2) Gloucester 29 May 1676 Alice (_____) Leach. She died Gloucester 10 April 1691. She married first Robert Leach, who died about July 1674.
Source: Anderson's Great Migration Study Project
Per http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html: "Robert Elwell came to America on the ship "RECOVERY OF LONDON," which departed England 31 March 1633 with Gabriel Cornish as Shipmaster."
Per New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635: Name: Robert Elwell Gender: Male Birth Date: 1609 Emigration Year: 1634 First Residence Place: Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA Est Year Changed Residence: 1644 Also Resided At: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683 Death Place: Gloucester
Per Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s: Name: Robert Elwell Year: 1633 Place: New England Source Publication Code: 1219.4 Primary Immigrant: Elwell, Robert Source Bibliography: Coldham, Peter Wilson, "The Complete Book of Emigrants: A Comprehensive Listing Compiled from English Public Records of Those Who Took Ship to the Americas for Political, Religious, and Economic Reasons; of Those Who Were Deported for Vagrancy, Roguery, or Non-Conformity; and of Those Who Were Sold to Labour in the New Colonies." Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. 1607-1660. 1988. 600p. Page: 107
Per Massachusetts Census, 1790-1890: Name: Robert Elwell State: Massachusetts County: Massachusetts Colony Township: Freeman 13 May Year: 1639 Database: MA Early Census Index
Per Massachusetts Applications of Freemen, 1630-91: Name: Robert Elwell Date: 13 May 1640 Original Source: C. R., Vol. I. p. 281.
Notes on Robert Elwell from website, http://www.earlham.edu/~liffeyt/web-cards-10-00/PS02/PS02_144.html, Stephen Tyler Elwell on FamilyTreeMaker, from Edgewater, Colorado, states: "Robert Elwell (b. About 1612) was born in England, came from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is known to have been a resident of Dorchester, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay (now a part of the city of Boston) in the year 1634. In the Dorchester Town Records for 1 September 1634, reads: "It is ordered that the lot which was granted formerly to John Rocket shall be transferred to Robert Elwell" [Source: Dorchester Town Records]. Robert was know to have been a resident of Dorchester in 1634. There are several records of transfer of land to him in Dorchester Town Records. He was a freeman on the 13th of March 1640, appears an owner of land in Gloucester on the 2nd of April 1642 when he bought of Mr. Milward two acres of upland lying in the harbor between the lots of John Collins and Zebulon Hill and running from his swamp northerly over the next swamp. In 1651 Robert had a grant of land "Stage Neck", now called "Rock Neck". Robert's will specifies location of other land he owned. Robert was counted a citizen of Salem until he actually resided at Gloucester. His children were baptized there until the close of 1641, and his name is on the list of members of the church in 1643. [Source: "Elwell Family in America" by Reverend Jacob Thomas Elwell]. He was listed one of the 82 residents of Gloucester from the time of its first permanent settlement. The map shows Robert Elwell living on Easter Point, on the other side of the harbor from Osmund Dutch and William Vinson. Five Pound Island, which belonged to William Vinson lay between them. [Source: "History of the Town of Gloucester" by John T. Babson]. Robert and wife Joanne had Jacob, born 10 June 1651. Robert Elwell died on 18 May 1683, Joanne died on 31 March 1675. Robert Elwell married Alice Leach on 29 May 1676. [Source: N.E.H. & G., Volume 4, page 361]. In 1635 he appeared as a witness concerning the outrageous conduct of one Thomas Winnerton. Robert was admitted a member of Salem church in 1643. Robert was several times a selectman, the first time in 1649. By 1642 he owned several lots. His first residence was at Harbor. The term "Goodman" was often given to him. He died 1683 leaving an estate worth two hundred pounds. His first wife, Joanne, died in 1675. In 1676 he married Alice Leach who survived him. His children were Samuel, John, Isaac, Josiah, Joseph, Sara (born and died in 1651), Sarah, Thomas, Jacob, Richard and Mary." [Source: Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine, compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little A.M.]
From Robert Elwell's Will: "I Robert Elwell of Gloucester in the County of Essex in New England being by God's providence cast upon my Bed of sicknesse & weaknesse & not knowing how neare the time of my departure out of the world may be & withal knowing how it to be the mind & will of God that a man should Set his house in order before he dye to therefore in order to the disposing of my estate & Goods make knowne & declare this my last Will and Testament in manner & fforme following. Imprims I give & bequeath unto my eldest Sonne Samuel Elwell the house I now dwell in together with all the Barnes & buildings neare adjoyneing which are mine and not otherwise disposed off. as also all the Neck of Land whereupon my said House standeth except what is hereafter disposed of to my sonne Thomas and all the rest of my Land & Meadow both here & at the Eastern Poynt and little good Harbour & elsewhere except only what is hereafter bequeathed to my sonnes John and Thomas otherwise except what is hereafter excepted I give all my Sayd Housing & lands above expressed to him my sayd sonne Samuel and his Heires forever provided always & it is my will & meaning that my sayd sonne Samuel shall maintaine myself & his mother my wife during the terme of our Natural lives with convenient & sufficient mayntenance both for clothing & dyet & washing (it always being understood that our bedding & household we doe not dispose but make use of it for our selves whist we live as we see meet) but otherwise he shall provide us & find both his mother and myselfe with the abovesayd necessaryes of food & Rayment during our Natural Lives sufficiently & also wood for firing convenient & all other necessarys & attendance both in sicknesse & health & so to enter upon the improvement of my sayd Living when I shall appoynt him in case I live & in case I now dye to enter upon the sayd Living presently after my decease. Also I do hereby give & bequeath unto my sayd sonne all my carts ploughs & tackling belonging unto them & all my other Tools for carrying on the worke abovesayd. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John Elwell three Acres of my meadow at little good Harbour to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give unto my sonne Isaac Elwell my cloake after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto my sonne Thomas Elwell the Half acre of Land with the orchyard his house standeth upon and one Acre of meadow or Marsh at Starke naught Harbor (so commonly called) and also one yeareling after my decease to injoy the abovesayd to him his Heirs Executs. Adminis. Or Assignes for ever. Item I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Deliber (Dolliver) a Two yeare old Heifer after my decease. Item I give & bequeath unto Samuel Elwell my grandsonne all that my house & Land his Father now liveth in & upon lying & being Situated on the other side of the River or Harbour in Glocester aforesayd fower Acres of said Land being upland adjoining neare sayd House & two Acres being meadow and lying by the Cutt to him & his Heires for ever & in case the sayd Samuel my Grand Sonne doe dye without Heires it shall then fall to my next eldest Grand sonne & so in the like Case of Mortality from one to another of my Grandsonnes. And this my sayd Son Grand Son Samuel to have after my decease and to pay twenty shillings unto his grandmother my wife. Item I give & bequeath unto my Grand Sonne Robert Elwell who now lives with me all my quarter part of my Katch in case he abides with his father and help him. And the sayd Robert shall pay unto his sayd Grandmother my wife the full summ of foure pounds after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my wearing Apparell to my Sonnes to be equally divided amongst them after my decease. Item I give & bequeath all my household stuffe or Goodes such as Bedding pots pewter Brasse stooles & Chayres or Chests & Boxes unto all my Children to be equally divided amongst them after my decease & the decease of my wife. And thereas it is above expressed that my sonne Samuel shall have my House I now dwell in after my decease my will & meaning is so long only as my wife aforesayd & hee my sayd sonne do agree & sayd mother like wrather to live by her selfe, I do hereby declare it to be my mind & will fully that then my sayd son shall depart the House & leave it to his mother & shee shall injoy it to her owne peculair use & behoof during her terme of Life. Also whereas it is above expressed that my Sonne Samuel shall have this my living abovesayd to him & his Heirs forever my will & meaning is & I do hereby apoynt my Grandsoone Robert (sone of sayd Samuel) that now liveth with me to be the next Immediate Heir unto this my sayd Living after his ffather my sayd son Samuel to injoy the same to him & his Heires for ever and in case he sayd Robert doe die without Heire it shal then fall to the next eldest of my Grandsonnes surviving. Item I give unto my Grand sonne William Elwell (sonne of my sonne Josiah deceased) a calfe of this yeares breeding. Item I give & bequeath unto my deare & loving wife two Milch Cowes for her owne peculiar use & to dispose of as shee shall see meet & doe also order my son Samuel to provide & bring home ffodder for them during the term of her natural Life & in case he does not provide for them as abovesayd it shall be in the power of my Executor to take away one acre of the meadow at the eastern poynt for the purpose above sayd. Item I give & bequeath unto my wife the use & benefit of the Garden by my now dwelling House to have & improve as she shall see meet during the terme of her natural Life. And all the rest of my Cattell not here disposed off both Cowes & oxen & other younger Cattell I give unto my Sonne Samuel Elwell except only what may be for the discharging of my debts & charges of my executors concerning the ordering of my estate in disposing & distributing & other necessary expenses that they may be at one way or another about the same. Also I leave all my household Goodes with my wife for her use during her Naturall Life & after her decease to be distributed as above sayd. And that this my last Will and Testament may be truly performed I doe intreat my deare & well beloved Friend Mr. John Emerson & Jeffrey Parsons Sen. To be the Executors of this my last will & Testament & doe hereby constitute ordayne authorize & impower them in all Respects the sayd Executors to see it fully executed & performed. And furthermore I doe give two ewe sheep to my wife & the rest of them to my sonne Samuel. Also I doe give my Horse to my wife to have the use of it during her natural Life & my sonne Samuel to provide him winter meat. And my Colt I give unto my sonne Samuel. And in case my sonne Samuel doe not provide Comfortably for his sayd mother my wife according to what is above expressed I doe hereby Authorize & impower my sayd executors to take away & to order & dispose of the sayd Living & Cattell given to my sonne to any whom they shall see meet for my wife's Comfortable subsistence as abovesayd during her Naturall Life. And for the full Confirmation of this my last Will and Testament I have hereunto set my Hand & Seale the fiveteenth day of this Instant May Anno. Dom. One thousand six hundred & eighty three [1683]. Sealed & Subscribed (Seal) in the p'sence of us The marke of the marke of X John Row Sen. Ruth Emerson Jun. Robert Elwell. John Row & Ruth Emerson made oath in court at Salem the 26 of June 1683: that they were both present & did see the said Robert Elwell signe seale & declare the above written to be his last will & testament & that he was then to their best understanding of good understanding & that they signed as witnesses to the above written. Attest HILLIARD VEREN Clerk" (Source: Taken from the book "Elwell Genealogy" which contains the matter presented in "The Elwell Family in America" revised and altered with additions of much importance by Charles Henry Pope, 1906)
Per Massachusetts, Marriages, 1633-1850: Name: Rebert Elwell Gender: Male Spouse: Eals Leach Marriage Date: 29 May 1676 City: Gloucester County: Essex Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0864859 & 0864861-0864862.
From the book "Elwelliana - Memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1843-1916," by Elizabeth Starr Versailles, Los Angeles Publishing Library, California, 1909: "Robert Elwell immigrated from England to Dorchester (now Boston), Massachusetts during or before 1834. He married twice, moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1642, and died in 1683."
Per www.genealogy.com/users/b/r/a/William-E-Brackett/FILE/0009page.html: "ELWELL - Elwell is of English derivation. It is thought to come from the old english Hael (omen) + Wella (spring) and is a reference to pagan river worship. There is a place in Dorset County, England named Elwell. The surname today is found in the west midhighlands of England. In England about 1450 there were two manors with similar names. One of these was Elwell in Dorset County and the other is Elvill or Elfael, which appears to be in Wales. Some feel the Elwell family name predates the location of that name and others believe the family name is derived from the place name. I have found the place name goes back into the 1200s and originally appears to have been Elfael. The place name in Dorset County developed into Elwell by the 1450 s. On July 21, 1452 Henry VI granted to his Queen Margaret diverse castles, lordships, towns, lands". Some of these were "our manors of Porland alias Portland, Weymouth, Weeke and Elwell, co. Dorset, which came into our hands in right of our Crown of England. There was a Hildebrand Elwell who under Henry VI's reign was a grocer. On 02 May 1425 at Westminster there is a court record which reads: "John Redeler late of Welles, County, Somerset, clerk, for not appearing before the king's justices of the Bench to answer Hildebrand Elwell, grocer of the town of Wells, touching a plea of debt of 40s." Hildebrand Elwell was once again mentioned in the court records on 28 Feb 1427 at Westminster: "Grant, by advice of the council, and pursuant to letters patent of 30 October, 3 Henry VI, to John Stourton and John Reynold, for whom Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', and Martin Jacob of the county of Somerset, 'gentleman', have become sureties, of all the issues, rents, farms, profits, and commodities of the temporalities of the bishopric of Bath and Wells, from 27 October, 3 Henry VI, when Nicholas, late bishop, died until 12 May following, paying therefor 872 l. 7s. 9 d. They may also set off against this sum, any amounts paid by them or by Walter Hungerford, knight John Juyn. Richard Martyn or Mayn or Thomas Shelford, on any tallies levied at the receipt of the Exchequer on the custody of the said temporalities, and also the 400 l. which have been lent to the king by the said Stourton, Reynold and Shelford." Hildebrand Elwell is again in the court records on November 15, 1433 at Westminster: "Thomas Mountagu of Exeter, co. Devon, 'mercer', executor of the will of Robert Hore, late of Bridpord, co. Dorset, 'chapman', for not appearing before the same, when sued with Robert Norton of Exeter, co. Devon, 'belyetter', Stephen Frakke of the same, 'husbondman', William Tauntfere of the same, carpenter, and Hildbrand Elwell of London, 'grocer', his co-executors, to answer William Olyver, citizen and grocer of London, touching a plea that they render to him 17 l." Hildebrand Elwell appears to have been from Wells (1425) in Dorset County and later (1427) lived in London. I believe these are one in the same persons. In the 1660, there is a John Elvill of Exeter who is a "merchant". The Treasury Books indicate that on October 22, 1662 "Warrant from Treasurer Southhampton to the Customs Farmers to permit John Elvill, of Exeter, merchant, to make an entry of vinegar on paying Customs according to the Book of Rates" again on May 20, 1664 "to discharge a seizure of some drapery and calf-skins seized at Exeter belonging to John Elwill. Prefixing: Note of said John Elwell's petition and report thereon from the Custom Farmers." Note the name is spelled Elvill, Elwill and Elwell in the same document. This Elwell of Exeter, England would have been a contemporary of Robert Elwell of New England and may have been a relative. The sum of the family groups that follow were borrowed from work done by Stephen T. Elwell. There is also a book compiled and edited by Elizabeth Starr Versailles of Williamsburg, Massachusetts in 1974 that contains the memorabilia of Levi Henry Elwell, 1854-1916. This book is titled Elwelliana. According to the book series, Immigrants To America, Robert Elwell came to New England aboard the ship RECOVERY. This record is dated 31 March 1633 and reads: Planters carrying with them household goods, clothing and provisions for themselves, their wives, children and servants, valued at L 920 (pounds) and allowed to pass free of custom by His Majestys patent, to be shipped on the RECOVERY of London, Mr. Gabriel Cornish, from Weymouth to New England: Thomas Newbery, Thomas Long, Davide Phippen, Jonathan Gillet, Elizabeth Parkman, Mary Coggen, Thomas Wakely, Daniel Norchat, Joseph Androes, Robert Dible, John Pope, Stephen Terrey, Robert Elwell, John Wotts, William Bowne, John Hardy, Sarah Hill, John Woolcocke, Thomas Shawe, Anthony Eames, Thomas Swift, George P....., Thomas Biscomb, Ezechia Hore, John Elderman, John Pinny. Robert Elwell is thought to have been in Dorchester, now part of Boston, as early as 1634. It is believed that Robert Elwell was born about 1612 in England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Robert Elwell came to New England from Stokes Abbot, Devonshire, England. Robert is seen in New England records as early as 1634. He owned land in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1634. Robert Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts on 18 May 1683. He was admitted as a freeman on 13 May 1640 in Boston. According to the Genealogical Guide To The Early Settlers of America, Robert Elwell, of Dorchester, 1635 removed 1638 to Salem, there had baptized, besides two others not named, John Elwell, 1640; and Isaac, 1642. Robert Elwell removed to Gloucester, Massachusetts and was a selectman there in 1648 and was elected selectman several times after that. Robert Elwell is included as an inhabitant of Gloucester, Massachusetts from the time of its settlement. Robert Elwell married Joanne Dalliber or Dolliver possibly in Stoke Abbot, Dorset, England. Joanne was born about 1617. Joanne Elwell died in Gloucester, Massachusetts 31 January 1675. The Gloucester Death records indicate Elwell, Joan w. Robert, 31:1m:1675. Her name is also seen as Jane? Their children were thought to be: Mary Elwell b. abt 1634 Samuel Elwell b. 1635 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Unknown Elwell b. 1639 d. at age six months John Elwell b. 23 Jan 1639/40 in Salem, Massachusetts Isaac Elwell b. 27 Dec 1641/2 in Salem, Massachusetts Josiah Elwell b. abt. 1644 Joseph Elwell b. May 1648 Sarah Elwell b. 1651 d. 1651 Sarah Elwell b. 1652 d. 1655 Thomas Elwell b. abt. 1654 Jacob Elwell b. 10 Jun 1657 Richard Elwell b. Apr 1658
On 29 May 1676 a Robert Elwell married Eals Leach the widow of Robert Leach. The Court Record spells her name Alce Leach. This name may also be Alice? She died in 1691. This is thought to be Robert's second wife. [Note: There is some controversy over Robert Elwells 1st wife's maiden name. Some of the family believes it was Doliver/Daliber and others do not. There is no proof of her last name]. According to the Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, Robert Elwell took the oath to be a constable on 30 Jul 1640. The oath was: "Whereas you are chosen to the office on constable within the town or liberties of Salem for the space of one year until a new be chosen in your room, you do here swear and take God to witness that you will faithfully serve this Commonwealth in the said office, during all the said tim, you shall carefully see to the preservance of the peace, you shall arrest all such as in your presence shall go about to disturbe the same and crry them to the next magistrate, you shall duly execute all warrants and sommands delivered to you from Lawfull authority. You shall endeavor to find out and present all disorders in common victualling house and all offence of drunkenness and you shall see that true weights and measures be kept and used by all men in your town. So help you God." In 1641 Robert Elwell was sworn as the Constable for Marblehead. In 1647 Robert Elwell was involved in a court case concerning a boat they had borrowed and lost. In 1648/49 he was involved in a court case where one "Thomas Bowin" abused him with "reproachful words, being as it was supposed, in drink". In November of 1651 Robert Elwell was "chosen and sworn a commissioner for Gloster to end small causes". As late as 1662 he was still serving as a commissioner in Gloucester. In 1658 William Vinson was sworn as the Constable for Gloucester and Robert Elwell signed the certificate. Robert Elwells wife's maiden name may have been, Dolliver or Dalliver. There were others of this name mentioned in these same Essex County Court Records as early as 1642, the first being Tristam Dalebar. There was also a Joseph Dalebar and a Samuel Dallabar both in 1642. These are assumed to be Robert Elwell's wife's relatives. This name gets spelled: Doliver, Dalebar, Daleber, Dalibar, Daliber, Dallabar, Dallebar, Dalliber, Dallivar, Dalliver, Dalabarr, Daulover, Doliber and Dolliver. The Dolliver family was also from Stoke Abbot, Devonshire County, England. According to the Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English immigrants To New England 1620-50 by Charles Edward Banks, Dolbear, Samuel and Tristram came to New England from Stoke Abbot."
Per Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988: Name: Robert Elwell Event Type: Death Event City: Gloucester Death Date: 18 May 1683
Per U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970: Name: Robert Elwell SAR Membership: 86497 Birth Place: Stoke Abbot Parish, England Death Date: 18 May 1683 Spouse: Joane Elwell Children: Thomas Elwell
Per Essex, Massachusetts Probate Records, 1648-1840: Name: Robert Elwell Death: 1683 Massachusetts, British America Civil: 1683 Residence: Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, British America
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