Individual Details
WILLIAM COREY
(Ca 1633 - 4 Jan 1681/82)
[Map of Rhode Island, showing locations of Newport, East Greenwich, and North Kingston.]
Birthdate for William
In 1667, William's grandmother, Anne Roome, said her grandson was "aged about fower and thirtye years." This would indicate a birth date about 1633 (and not 1618 as Al Corey says). He was born in Bristol England, and migrated to the New World about 1657, aged about 24, when we first hear of him on this side of the Atlantic.
Antecedents
William apparently made the journey accompanied by his grandmother, Anne Roome, and from the documents quoted below, we are able to construct a Corey genealogy of three generations. Anne Roome had been married to John Corey, and they had a son, also called John Corey, who was William's father. By 1657 William's grandfather had died, as Anne had possession of the family property in Bristol. And as the estate went to William, rather than to Anne's son John, it would seem that William's mother and father were also deceased. Thus, the nucleus family of Anne Roome and her grandson William were all that remained of three generations of this family. One surmises that it was William who had planned the removal to the New World, and that Anne had agreed to accompany him with enough capital in hand to help her grandson establish himself in the New World.
Arrival in Rhode Island
William and his grandmother settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, a community lying on the east side of the island of Rhode Island, the largest of the islands in Narragansett Bay. There William worked as a carpenter, and there on 10 Dec 1657, he had a grant of eight acres of land, Anne Roome, being the grantor. He must have built a house on this land, for on 28 Oct 1662 he rented his house, with fenced land, to Peter Folger of Newport, for five years, "the later agreeing to clear yearly 2 acres of swamp in farm described, cutting out 2 acres and sowing three pounds of clear hay seed upon every two acres; and Peter Folger also to get out 250 rails by next spring, William Cory to pay worth of fencing."
Marriage
About 1657, almost as soon as he had arrived in Portsmouth, William married Mary Earle. Al Bertis Corey says she was born in Portsmouth, and gives a date of birth of "about 1636," which need not, as in the case of William, be questioned.
On 18 May 1658 he was made a freeman, and on 28 Feb 1667 William's grandmother Anne Roome made the following deed:
for and in consideration of full and just satisfaction and true payment by mee in hand from William Corrie of Portsmouth, house carpenter, deed to Him two certain mansion houses with the lands thereto belonging ... in St James Parish in the street called St James back in the Citty of Bristol, in Old England, which had been left to her by her late husband, and which had been left in the care of Thomas ffloyd.
On 18 Oct 1667, she gave William a commemoratory deed, and immediately gave him another document, stating:
William Correy, being aged about fower and thirtye years being personally present, and intending a voyage to England upon occasion of demanding and Receiving the estate that his grandmother Anne Roome hath made sale and surrender of unto him by the within written deed:- I say this certifieth that the bearer hereof William Correy aforesaid is the reputed son of one John Correy deceased, who was sometimes inhabitant in or near the city of Bristol in England and son of Anne Roome aforenamed:- and further that certifieth that the said William Correy is bound for England in company with one William Earll, inhabitant of the same towne of Portsmouth on Rhode Island and the aforesaid William Earll may be able to testify in England and to the person that shall ther Exibett these presantes, whose behalfe these lines are written. Voted at Newport the therteenth day of November 1669, under hand of the Governor (Benedict Arnold), Joseph Torrey, recorder.
William Earll or Earle was William's brother-in-law.
Prosperity and civic responsibility
There is no record that William made his trip to England, or of his success in taking possession of the property left behind there. But the suggestion is that he did, for his activities almost immediately show as a new prosperity that only financial improvement can bring.
In 1668 William Corey with his brother-in-law William Earle built a windmill on Briggs Hill. On Dec 4 1669 he had a deed of a third of the share in Dartmouth from William Earle.
With his improved social standing, William undertook his civil obligations. On Jan 7 he was a juryman. On 4 Apr 1676 he and three others were appointed to have the care and disposing of one barrel of powder for the town and two great guns that were in the yard of the late deceased William Benton, to be carried to Portsmouth and placed, one on Ferry Neck and one near the house of John Borden, "the above committee causing said gun to be set on carriages and fitted for service." On 24 Aug 1676 he was a member of a court martial held in Newport for the trial of certain indians. He was a deputy in 1678, 1679, and 1680.
William held the military ranks of Lieutenant and Captain, successively.
Death and Will of William Corey
William died in Portsmoutn in 1682, aged only about 47 years of age. He left a relatively young wife, and ten children, some of whom had not yet come of age.
William's will, dated 4 Jan 1681, and proven 24 Feb 1682, named as executrix his wife Mary, and as overseers friends William Woodell, John Sandford and George Brownnell, and reads in abstract:
To Mary, absolutely at her disposal, all lands, etc, with my windmill at Portsmouth, and all personal estate, what so ever, and where so ever, except legacies. To her for life, use of dwelling house in which I dwell (except to rooms to son William) half orchard, adloining land belonging to deceased William Hall. To eldest son John, certain land in Portsmoth, with Housing, etc, for life and to such children he may will it to, but if John have no issue, he may dispose of it to his brothers and sisters of whole blood. To son William, great lower room of southerly part of dwelling house, which now at this time I inhabit, with the lean-to room adjoining, commonly called Margaret's room, half of orchard, profits of half upland and meadow adjoining, and at decease of my wife, his mother, he to have all the rest of the house and lands for life, and to his children, if he have any. To third son Thomas, at twenty one, a half share in Pocasset lands divided and undivided (a share being one-thirtieth part). To fourth son Caleb, at age a third of a share in Dartmouth for life. To fifth son Roger, at age, the other half share in Pocasset land, and if he die with out issue, his part to go to his brother Thomas. To eldest daughter Mercy two Pounds, to second daughter Ann at eighteen or marriage, 10 poiunds. To third daughter Mary 10 poiunds. To fouth daughter Joan 10 pounds. The children left to wives care, to be tenderly brought u and educated.
William's wife, Mary Earle, and her second marriage
Following William's death, On 16 Jan 1682, Mary, widow of William Corey, took receipt for her legacy from daughter Mercy, and the year following took receipt from Robert Bennett and her daughter Ann. As preperation for her remarriage, Mary received in writing a covenant from Joseph Timberlake of Little Compton that she was to have, after marriage, full liberty to improve and dispose of all her former husband's property and estate. Mary gave full power of the estate to William Mory and George Brownell, for bringing up of her children, reserving only to herself a mare, four meat cattle, four hogs and four sheep. In the year 1683, Mary married Joseph Timerlake.
Will of Mary Corey Timberlake
Mary was first widowed at about the age of 44, and outlived William by 36 years. Her will, dated 12 Aug 1717 and proven 14 Apr 1718, made son Thomas Corey executor, and reads in abstract:
To grandson William Cory, son of John, a piece of milled money of value of 5 or 6 shillings. To daughter Mercy Gonzales, a piece of money. To son-in-law Charles Gonzales, five cords of wood he owes me. To daughter Sarah Jefferies, an Indian girls term named Dinah. To grandsons Michael and William Cory, brothers, each a piece of money. To granddaughters Ann and Mary Bennett daughters of daughter Ann, a piece of mild gold. To daughter Jane Taylor, use of cupboard and chest for life and then to my grandson Samuel Chaplan. To my daughter Mary Cook, a quarter of apparel, and like legacy to daughters Jane Taylor and Sarah Jefferies. Whereas son Thomas Cory, has money I lent him, 29,9, and 6 pounds remitted to him on behalf of my son in law Thomas Jefferies, which sums I lent my son in law Thomas Jefferies 6 pounds, and I lent my son in law Roger Cook 5 pounds, and I lent my son Roger Cory these sums are all to be included in rest of moveable estate, and the same equally divided with the other sixth, (with quarter of apparel) to Daughter Mary Cook, sons Thomas and Roger Cory, and daughters Jane Taylor and Sarah Jefferies, each a sixth. Inventory 167 pounds, 8 shillings, and 11 pence.
References: John Osborne Austin, Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island; comprising Three Generations of Settlers who came before 1690, Genealogical Publishing Company, 1982; Al Bertis Corey, Corys in America, 1993.
Birthdate for William
In 1667, William's grandmother, Anne Roome, said her grandson was "aged about fower and thirtye years." This would indicate a birth date about 1633 (and not 1618 as Al Corey says). He was born in Bristol England, and migrated to the New World about 1657, aged about 24, when we first hear of him on this side of the Atlantic.
Antecedents
William apparently made the journey accompanied by his grandmother, Anne Roome, and from the documents quoted below, we are able to construct a Corey genealogy of three generations. Anne Roome had been married to John Corey, and they had a son, also called John Corey, who was William's father. By 1657 William's grandfather had died, as Anne had possession of the family property in Bristol. And as the estate went to William, rather than to Anne's son John, it would seem that William's mother and father were also deceased. Thus, the nucleus family of Anne Roome and her grandson William were all that remained of three generations of this family. One surmises that it was William who had planned the removal to the New World, and that Anne had agreed to accompany him with enough capital in hand to help her grandson establish himself in the New World.
Arrival in Rhode Island
William and his grandmother settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, a community lying on the east side of the island of Rhode Island, the largest of the islands in Narragansett Bay. There William worked as a carpenter, and there on 10 Dec 1657, he had a grant of eight acres of land, Anne Roome, being the grantor. He must have built a house on this land, for on 28 Oct 1662 he rented his house, with fenced land, to Peter Folger of Newport, for five years, "the later agreeing to clear yearly 2 acres of swamp in farm described, cutting out 2 acres and sowing three pounds of clear hay seed upon every two acres; and Peter Folger also to get out 250 rails by next spring, William Cory to pay worth of fencing."
Marriage
About 1657, almost as soon as he had arrived in Portsmouth, William married Mary Earle. Al Bertis Corey says she was born in Portsmouth, and gives a date of birth of "about 1636," which need not, as in the case of William, be questioned.
On 18 May 1658 he was made a freeman, and on 28 Feb 1667 William's grandmother Anne Roome made the following deed:
for and in consideration of full and just satisfaction and true payment by mee in hand from William Corrie of Portsmouth, house carpenter, deed to Him two certain mansion houses with the lands thereto belonging ... in St James Parish in the street called St James back in the Citty of Bristol, in Old England, which had been left to her by her late husband, and which had been left in the care of Thomas ffloyd.
On 18 Oct 1667, she gave William a commemoratory deed, and immediately gave him another document, stating:
William Correy, being aged about fower and thirtye years being personally present, and intending a voyage to England upon occasion of demanding and Receiving the estate that his grandmother Anne Roome hath made sale and surrender of unto him by the within written deed:- I say this certifieth that the bearer hereof William Correy aforesaid is the reputed son of one John Correy deceased, who was sometimes inhabitant in or near the city of Bristol in England and son of Anne Roome aforenamed:- and further that certifieth that the said William Correy is bound for England in company with one William Earll, inhabitant of the same towne of Portsmouth on Rhode Island and the aforesaid William Earll may be able to testify in England and to the person that shall ther Exibett these presantes, whose behalfe these lines are written. Voted at Newport the therteenth day of November 1669, under hand of the Governor (Benedict Arnold), Joseph Torrey, recorder.
William Earll or Earle was William's brother-in-law.
Prosperity and civic responsibility
There is no record that William made his trip to England, or of his success in taking possession of the property left behind there. But the suggestion is that he did, for his activities almost immediately show as a new prosperity that only financial improvement can bring.
In 1668 William Corey with his brother-in-law William Earle built a windmill on Briggs Hill. On Dec 4 1669 he had a deed of a third of the share in Dartmouth from William Earle.
With his improved social standing, William undertook his civil obligations. On Jan 7 he was a juryman. On 4 Apr 1676 he and three others were appointed to have the care and disposing of one barrel of powder for the town and two great guns that were in the yard of the late deceased William Benton, to be carried to Portsmouth and placed, one on Ferry Neck and one near the house of John Borden, "the above committee causing said gun to be set on carriages and fitted for service." On 24 Aug 1676 he was a member of a court martial held in Newport for the trial of certain indians. He was a deputy in 1678, 1679, and 1680.
William held the military ranks of Lieutenant and Captain, successively.
Death and Will of William Corey
William died in Portsmoutn in 1682, aged only about 47 years of age. He left a relatively young wife, and ten children, some of whom had not yet come of age.
William's will, dated 4 Jan 1681, and proven 24 Feb 1682, named as executrix his wife Mary, and as overseers friends William Woodell, John Sandford and George Brownnell, and reads in abstract:
To Mary, absolutely at her disposal, all lands, etc, with my windmill at Portsmouth, and all personal estate, what so ever, and where so ever, except legacies. To her for life, use of dwelling house in which I dwell (except to rooms to son William) half orchard, adloining land belonging to deceased William Hall. To eldest son John, certain land in Portsmoth, with Housing, etc, for life and to such children he may will it to, but if John have no issue, he may dispose of it to his brothers and sisters of whole blood. To son William, great lower room of southerly part of dwelling house, which now at this time I inhabit, with the lean-to room adjoining, commonly called Margaret's room, half of orchard, profits of half upland and meadow adjoining, and at decease of my wife, his mother, he to have all the rest of the house and lands for life, and to his children, if he have any. To third son Thomas, at twenty one, a half share in Pocasset lands divided and undivided (a share being one-thirtieth part). To fourth son Caleb, at age a third of a share in Dartmouth for life. To fifth son Roger, at age, the other half share in Pocasset land, and if he die with out issue, his part to go to his brother Thomas. To eldest daughter Mercy two Pounds, to second daughter Ann at eighteen or marriage, 10 poiunds. To third daughter Mary 10 poiunds. To fouth daughter Joan 10 pounds. The children left to wives care, to be tenderly brought u and educated.
William's wife, Mary Earle, and her second marriage
Following William's death, On 16 Jan 1682, Mary, widow of William Corey, took receipt for her legacy from daughter Mercy, and the year following took receipt from Robert Bennett and her daughter Ann. As preperation for her remarriage, Mary received in writing a covenant from Joseph Timberlake of Little Compton that she was to have, after marriage, full liberty to improve and dispose of all her former husband's property and estate. Mary gave full power of the estate to William Mory and George Brownell, for bringing up of her children, reserving only to herself a mare, four meat cattle, four hogs and four sheep. In the year 1683, Mary married Joseph Timerlake.
Will of Mary Corey Timberlake
Mary was first widowed at about the age of 44, and outlived William by 36 years. Her will, dated 12 Aug 1717 and proven 14 Apr 1718, made son Thomas Corey executor, and reads in abstract:
To grandson William Cory, son of John, a piece of milled money of value of 5 or 6 shillings. To daughter Mercy Gonzales, a piece of money. To son-in-law Charles Gonzales, five cords of wood he owes me. To daughter Sarah Jefferies, an Indian girls term named Dinah. To grandsons Michael and William Cory, brothers, each a piece of money. To granddaughters Ann and Mary Bennett daughters of daughter Ann, a piece of mild gold. To daughter Jane Taylor, use of cupboard and chest for life and then to my grandson Samuel Chaplan. To my daughter Mary Cook, a quarter of apparel, and like legacy to daughters Jane Taylor and Sarah Jefferies. Whereas son Thomas Cory, has money I lent him, 29,9, and 6 pounds remitted to him on behalf of my son in law Thomas Jefferies, which sums I lent my son in law Thomas Jefferies 6 pounds, and I lent my son in law Roger Cook 5 pounds, and I lent my son Roger Cory these sums are all to be included in rest of moveable estate, and the same equally divided with the other sixth, (with quarter of apparel) to Daughter Mary Cook, sons Thomas and Roger Cory, and daughters Jane Taylor and Sarah Jefferies, each a sixth. Inventory 167 pounds, 8 shillings, and 11 pence.
References: John Osborne Austin, Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island; comprising Three Generations of Settlers who came before 1690, Genealogical Publishing Company, 1982; Al Bertis Corey, Corys in America, 1993.
Events
| Birth | Ca 1633 | Bristol, Bristol County, England |  | ||
| Death | 4 Jan 1681/82 | Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island | | ||
| Marriage | MARY EARLE |
Families
| Spouse | MARY EARLE (1636 - 1717) |
| Child | JOHN COREY , SR. (1658 - 1712) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | MARGARET COREY (1668 - ) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | JOAN COREY (1675 - ) |
Endnotes
1. RYDER GENEALOGICAL FILES.
2. RYDER GENEALOGICAL FILES.