{Garnsey Ancestors}
Click here to go to a condensed version of this biography.
Source: http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/earpconnections/millerdspartiii.htm
The following was found in The Detroit Society for Genealogical Research Magazine
Spring 1960 '96 Volume XXIII '96 Number 3
Pages 95 - 102
(SHARON WICK'S NOTE: Some of the words here look like typos. I typed them exactly as they are typed in the Magazine from which I copied them)
THE MILLARDS OF REHOBOTH, MASSACHUSETTS -
By Frances Davis McTeer of Detroit, Mich. And Frederick C. Warner of North Amherst, Mass.
PART III, Continued from Winter 1959, p. 62
8. NATHANIEL (3) MILLARD (Robert-2, John-1), b. at Rehoboth, Mass., 31 March 1672, d. there 16 March 1740/1; m. (1) at Rehoboth, 30 March 1694, SUSANNA GLADDING, b. at Newbury, Mass., 6 July 1668 [SIC 6 August 1668], d. at Rehoboth in 1727, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rogers) Gladding of Bristol, R.I. He m. (2) at Rehoboth, 30 May 1728, REBECCA THAYER, b. 29 1704, d. after 16 June 1755, daughter of Nathaniel and Rebecca (Briggs) Thayer. She m. (2), int. Rehoboth, 5 Dec. 1741, Jeremiah Carpenter, who probably d. before 12 Oct. 1748.
The identity of Nathaniel Millard's first wife is shown by the will of her father, John Gladding Sr. of Bristol, dated 31 Jan. 1718, proved 12 July 1727, which bequeathed to wife Sarah; to eldest son John the whole estate, he to pay daughter Susannah Millard, son William Children of daughter Elizabeth Willis deceased, daughter Mercy Williams, daughter Hannah Briggs, and son Josiah. (Bristol Co., Mass. Probates, Vol. 6, p. 5) On 10 Dec. 1707, Nathaniel Millard of Rehoboth and wife Susannah, "formerly Susannah Gladding, daughter of John Gladding of Bristol", sold to John Cary of Bristol, part of 600 acres in Bristol. (Bristol Co., Mass. Deeds, Vol. 5, p. 307)
Similarly, the second wife's parentage is established by the will of her father, Nathaniel Thayer Taunton, dated 12 Oct. 1748, proved 12 March 1752, which bequeathed to six daughters, including Rebecca Carpenter; Mehitable, wife of Benjamin Miller (#17); and Hannah, wife of Daniel Miller (#27). (Bristol Co., Mass. Probates, Vol. 13, p. 85; Thayer Family, 1943, by Ruth Thayer Ravenscroft, Vol. 1, Pt. 1, p. 159)
Nathaniel Millard, variously designated in contemporary records as a "weaver" (1693 and 1703) and as a "malater"(1695 to 1740), was well-to-do and a large landowner of Rehoboth. In his book, The Colonial Clergy and the Colonial Churches of New England (1936, p. 141), Frederick Lewis Weis has listed this Nathaniel Millard Sr. as a Baptist minister. But this listing is in error; as will be shown later, it was Nathaniel Millard Jr. (#20) who was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rehoboth from 1736 until 1742. (A Church History of New England, 1796, by Isaac Backus.)
From his father, Nathaniel received land on Rocky River and an additional tract on the east side of Palmer River. Later he bought from his brothers, Nehemiah, Solomon and Ephraim Millard, as well as from John Brown, John Martin, John Reed and Enoch Hunt; these last two purchases were located in the Thousand Acre Division on the east side of Palmer Rover, (Bristol Co., Mass. Deeds, Vol. 19, p. 424; Vol. 23, p. 443; Vol. 8, p. 132; Vol. 16, p. 418; Vol. 3, pp. 28, 29)
In turn, Nathaniel deeded land to each of his sons: on 3 June 1721, to son John 100 acres on the east side of Palmer River; on 17 May 1720 and again on 5 April 1722, to son Nathaniel Jr., 20 acres on the east side of Oak Swamp and 100 acres southward from Manwhague; on 16 May 1724 and on 3 July 1725, to son Josiah, "founder", six acres and 20 acres both on the east side of Oak Swamp and 100 acres northeasterly of Manwhague Swamp; on 3 March 1734, to son Joseph, 13 acres with a dwelling house. (Ibid., Vol. 14, pp. 329, 453, 454; Vol. 16, p. 198; Vol. 15, p. 480; Vol. 49, p. 207)
Besides his other business enterprises Nathaniel was part owner of a grist mill. On 26 May 1727, Nathaniel Millard, malster, and James Bowen, wheelwright, being joint owners of a corn mill called Rocky River Mill in Rehoboth, entered into an agreement that the land owned by them which is usually covered with water with the privilege of ponding shall be for the use of the mill forever. (Ibid., Vol. 20, p. 92)
In addition to his Rehoboth property, Nathaniel had extensive land dealings in Ashford, Conn., where between 1718 and 1726 he bought up lots and rights to the extent of about a thousand acres in the southwestern part of town. Apparently he bought this land as an investment or speculation for he was never indicated as a resident of Ashford. Between 1726 and 1740 his lots were sold one by one to settlers or other buyers until only three were left as part of his estate. (Ashford, Conn. Deeds, passim)
The will of Nathaniel Millard, dated 14 March 1741, proved 21 April 1741, bequeathed to wife Rebecca, one third of the homestead, housing, bedding and the like, and after her death these to go to sons Nathaniel and Noah; to son Josiah, two acres in addition to land already given; to son John, six acres in Rehoboth; to son Joseph, ten acres adjoining his homestead; to four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Mehitable, 300 acres in Ashford, Conn.; the will mentions also daughters, Sarah Andros, Hannah Garnsey and Ann Horton. Sons Nathaniel and Noah were to have the homestead and to maintain Noah, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Mehitable "till they are grown up". Nathaniel Millard Jr., "clerk" was named as executor. (Bristol Co., Mass Probates, Vol. 10, p. 22)
The inventory of Nathaniel's estate, taken 15 May 1741, totaled £5438.01.09, including the homestead worth more than three thousand pounds, 85 acres upon Manwhague Plain, 150 acres adjoining Joseph Millard, and other small parcels of land as well as bonds and personal estate. On 3 Nov. 1741, Henry West of Rehoboth was appointed guardian of Noah Millard under 14 years, son of Nathaniel Millard late of Rehoboth; two years later, on 1 Feb. 1743/4, Nathaniel Millard Jr. was appointed guardian of his brother; and finally on 7 July 1749, after Nathaniel Jr. had moved to Rhode Island, this responsibility was transferred to Samuel Bullock of Rehoboth. (Ibid. Vol. 10, pp. 54, 110, 405; Vol. 11, p. 279)
Ultimately, as specified in his will, Nathaniel's homestead was divided between his two sons, Nathaniel #20 and Noah #24, each of whom sold his half to Barnard Cole, blacksmith, formerly of Swansea. On 2 Feb. 1747/8, Nathaniel and Ruth Millard of Rehoboth sold to Barnard Cole of Rehoboth, 50 acres "part of the homestead farm where my father dwelt", the line to run through the "easterly side of the north door of the dwelling house, through the middle of the chimney to the east side of the back door" and then through "the middle of the well", excepting privileges "to my mother-in-law". This exception was with reference to Nathaniel's step-mother, Rebecca (Thayer) (Millard) Carpenter, who was then living with her son Noah Millard in the other half of the house. Acknowledged by Nathaniel and "Ruth Millard his wife" at Providence, R.I., 16 Feb. 1747/8. (Bristol Co., Mass. Deeds, Vol. 35, p. 202)
On 28 Feb. 1750/1, Noah and Jane Millard of Rehoboth and Rebecca Carpenter deeded to Barnard Cole of Rehoboth, blacksmith, 34 acres in the easterly part of Rehoboth, being the other part of the homestead of his father Nathaniel Millard, with the description of division as given above. Acknowledged at Rehoboth by Jane and Rebecca on 22 April 1751, and at Warren, R.I. by Noah on 13 June 1754 before Benjamin Millard, J.P. (#17). On 13 Dec. 1751, Noah and Jane Millard of Rehoboth and Rebecca Carpenter sold to Barnard Cole 17 acres on the westerly side of Oak Swamp. Rebecca Carpenter gave up her right of dower, indicating that this land was a part of her husband's estate. Acknowledged by all three at Warren before Benjamin Millard J.P., by Jane and Rebecca on 12 June 1754 and by Noah the following day. (Ibid, Vol. 41, p. 168; Vol. 40, p. 429)
The last mention of Nathaniel's widow Rebecca is found in the town records of Rehoboth, when on 16 June 1755, Rebeckah Carpenter, along with Noah Millard, his wife and children, "was warned to depart from town". (Bowen, Vol.. II, p. 163) Noah seems to have moved to Gloucester, R.I. about this time, and his mother probably went with him as a member of his household. There is no record of her death in either Rehoboth or Gloucester.
Nathaniel Millard and his first wife, Susanna Gladding, had eight children, born at Rehoboth, Mass.:1
Sarah b. 15 July 1695; m. (1) in Rehoboth, 15 Dec. 1715, Jacob Baker. One child. She m. (2) in Swansea, Mass., 28 Dec. 1721, Ephraim Andrews. Four children, born in Swansea.
Nathaniel B. 7 Oct 1696
Josiah b. 8 Sept. 1698
John b. 20 Feb. 1701
Hannah b. 15 Feb. 1703/4; m. in Swansea, 6 Jan. 1720, Seth Garnsey, b. there 15 Feb. 1697, d. at Rehoboth, 12 Jan. 1754, son of John and Elizabeth Garnsey. Seven children. On 6 Apr. 1727, Seth and Hannah Garnsey of Rehoboth sold to John Millard Jr. (#22), 28 acres located on the east side of Palmer River in Rehoboth. (Bristol Co., Mass. Deeds, Vol. 21, p. 86)
Mary b. 3 Feb. 1705/6, evidently d. before 6 Oct. 1732, She may have been the Mary Millard "died 18 Aug. 1720, age 17 yrs.", bur. in the Millard Yard, located one fourth mile north of the Oak Swamp Meeting House in Rehoboth. Tilton (p.303) lists two Mary Millard graves in this yard, marked by "old slate stones difficult to decipher"; the other Mary died "1729, age 29 yrs."
Ann b. 12 Aug. 1708, d. at Rehoboth, 14 July 1751; m. there 28 Oct. 1725, Jonathan Horton, who d. in 1774, son of John and Mehitable (Garnsey) Horton. Ten children. He m. (2) 16 Aug. 1753, Elizabeth Perry of Rehoboth. (Ancestry of Katherine Choate Paul, 1914, by love of his daughter Anne, deeded to her husband Jonathan Horton, 100 acres in Ashford, Conn. (Ashford, Conn. Deeds, Vol. L, p. 517)
Joseph b. 17 Feb. 1710/1
Nathaniel Milard and his second wife, Rebecca Thayer, had five children, born at Rehoboth, Mass.:
Noah b. 19 eb. 1729/0.
Mary b. 6 Oct. 1732; m. at Rehoboth, 17 May 1752, Levi Hix of Warren. On 4 June 1753, Levi and Mary Hix, and Stephen and Elizabeth Bowen, both women daughters of Nathaniel Millard of Rehoboth deceased and heirs to the ad Millard in all the lands sd Millard owns in Ashford", sold to James Cummings of Willington, Conn. two lots in Ashford.
Witnesses: Noah Millard and Edward Carpenter. Acknowledged by all at Bristol, R.I.,, 4 June 1753, (Ibid.,, Vol. H, p. 166)
Elizabeth b. 22 July 1753; m. int. Rehoboth, 13 Feb. 1751/2, Stephen Bowen Jr. of Warren. See Ashford, Conn. Deed quoted above.
Rebecca b. 2 Apr. 1737, d. at East Thompson, Conn., 17 Jan. 1823; m. in Swansea, 14 Nov. 1754, Meletiah Mason, b. there 19 Apr. 1731, d. at East Thompson, 27 Dec. 1831, age 101 yrs., son of Hezekiah and Rebecca (Martin) Mason. He was a stone mason in Rehoboth, Dighton, Uxbridge, Mass. And Killingly, Conn. Twelve children. (Genealogy of the Sampson Mason Family, 1902, by A. H. Mason, p. 105) On 23 Apr. 1756, Levi Hix and wife Mary, Stephen Bowen and wife Elizabeth, and Malatiah Mason and wife Rebecca, all of Rehoboth, sold to Ephraim Keyes of Ashford,, "it being a legase left to us by our Honored Father Nathaniel Miller deceased". Acknowledged by all at Warren, R.I., 23 Apr. 1756. (Ashford, Conn. Deeds, Vol. J, p. 83)
Mehitable, b. 26 May 1739, d. 21 Feb. 1812; m. in Swansea, 4 Feb. 1756, Josiah Barney Jr., b. at Rehoboth, 10 Aug. 1736, d. in Swansea, 14 Feb. 1819, son of Josiah and Freelove (Wheaton) Barney. Both are bur. In Nicholas Thomas Cemetery in Swansea. Nine children, probably born in Swansea.