Individual Details

From the New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 1, by William Richard Cutter, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1915:

"The Staples family is an old one in England and Ireland, and has coats-of-arms with three or four staples emblazoned. It is surmised that some one having to do with the hardware staple adopted the surname on account of that fact, but it is more likely that the design was attached to the coat armor on account of the name. The motto on the arms, Sans dieu rien, i." French, indicating the French origin of the family in England. Hugh d'Estaples accompanied William the Conqueror to England and, though no descent has been traced from him, it is probable that he founded the name in England. The old French town of Estaples
is now rendered Etaples. Another supposition is that the name comes from a dealer in wool, called staple. A guild of woolen merchants in London, holding a charter from Edward IV, was called "The Staple" about 1450. In early records the name is spelled without the final "s." There is a large family originating in Maine, bearing this name, whose descendants are widespread.
(I) John Staple, born about 1610, in England, was an early inhabitant of Weymouth, Massachusetts, where he appeared in 1637, and settled in North Weymouth, some ten miles from Boston, his home located at the foot of King Oak Hill. In 1636 he was assigned six acres in the plain and three acres in the east field. He was admitted freeman May 10, 1648, and later removed to Dorchester, where he died. The inventory of his estate was made July 13, 1683, indicating approximately his death. There is no record of his wife. Children recorded in Weymouth : Abraham, Rebecca, born November 27, 1639, married Samuel Sumner; Joseph, February 19, 1641, died young; Sarah, married Increase Sumner."

From Historic Homes and Places:
"(I)John Staples, the immigrant ancestor, was born in England and settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts, before 1636, when he had six acres of land assigned to him in the plain and three acres in the east field ; also in Harris lot in the West Plain and in a second division in 1651 he drew a "great lot." His home was at the foot of King Oak hill in North Weymouth. He was admitted a freeman, May ю, 1648. He and his son were active in town affairs. He died at Dorchester. His inventory was taken July 13, 1683. His will was dated March 18, 1681-82, and proved August 2, 1683, bequeathing to sons John, Abraham, Joseph and to daughters Rebecca and Sarah. Children: i. John. 2. Rebecca, born November 2, 1639, married Samuel Surnner. 3. Abraham, born about 1640, mentioned below. 4. Joseph, born February 19, 1641-42. 5. Sarah, married Increase Sumner. 6. Joseph, born 1647, according to one authority, indicating that the first of the name died young."

Birth	Abt 1610	Dorchester, Dorset, England
Death	4 Jul 1683	Dorchester, Norfolk County, Massachusetts

Spouse	Rebecca UNKNOWN (1614 - )
Child	Abraham Staples (1638 - 1703)

Notes