Individual Details

On 7 Feb. 1765 Joseph Presbrey of Taunton transferred to his sons Joseph Presbrey Jr and William Presbrey, both of Taunton, his homestead farm with buildings in Taunton, reserving same to his use during his lifetime. Upon petition William Presbery of Taunton was appointed guardian of Martha Presbery of Taunton, widow, 27 April 1772. As a result of a petition by Martha, 29 June 1772, Joseph Presbry of Taunton was appointed guardian 8 July 1772 in place of William. In Martha's petition, both William and Joseph are called her sons.

Combined the Bristol County probate records show:
● On 27 April 1772 widow Martha Presbrey was assigned William Presbrey as guardian after she was declared non-compos through old age and infirmity incapable of taking care of herself and estate.1 Then upon her request of 29 June 1772 Martha asked the court to change her guardian from her son William to her son Joseph, which was granted on 8 July 1772.2 In the records Martha refers to both William and Joseph as her sons.3
●
1 Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate, 1772, Martha Presbrey, paper file; digital images, vol. Bristol 20000-21999, p. 20650:1-20650:9 of 21999:21, "Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate File Papers, 1686-1880," American Ancestors (https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/bristol-county-ma-probate-file-papers-1686-1880/image?pageName=20650:1&volumeId=48304&rId=1414677668 : accessed 31 Jan 2025).
2 Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate, 1772, Martha Presbrey, paper file; digital images, vol. Bristol 20000-21999, p. 20650:1-20650:9 of 21999:21, "Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate File Papers, 1686-1880," American Ancestors (https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/bristol-county-ma-probate-file-papers-1686-1880/image?pageName=20650:1&volumeId=48304&rId=1414677668 : accessed 31 Jan 2025).
3 Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate, 1772, Martha Presbrey, paper file; digital images, vol. Bristol 20000-21999, p. 20650:1-20650:9 of 21999:21, "Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate File Papers, 1686-1880," American Ancestors (https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/bristol-county-ma-probate-file-papers-1686-1880/image?pageName=20650:1&volumeId=48304&rId=1414677668 : accessed 31 Jan 2025).

The Presbrey’s were found in the Taunton Proprietor Records, volumes 1 and 2. Layout of Lands, Taunton, volume 3 also mentioned the early Presbrey’s. The results are listed here.
1. On 1 October 1715 – Hannah Prisberry, the daughter of Joseph Presberry born.
2. On 13 June 1748 – land description mentions fifteen acres of land on Whitington plain being laid out for John Wilbore for a grant made to his father John Wilbore dated 19 November 1714 which mentions a road leading from “young Joseph Presbrey to Daniel Linkon” as part of the bounds and other names in the deed being mentioned in connection to boundaries are a road leading from John Woodwards to Oliver Pratt and Oliver Pratt’s line.
3. On 13 December 1759 – Joyning to Joseph Presbury 2d land … 8 acre Division.
4. On 25 February 1760 – Joyning to land of Joseph Prisbery his homestead… 12 acre Division.
5. On 29 February 1764 – Land that my son Abiather Bought of Joseph Prisbry 2d.
6. On 8 January 1771 – granting land to “William Prisbry two acres … adjoining to land belonging to his Hon[ore]d father Joseph Presbriy his homesteed on the north end there of & joining to the road that Leeds over the great plain from Taunton town to the House that was his Brother Joseph Presbreys now owned by Nehemiah Liscomb.”

Three of these are of interest: Hannah’s birth, land to William adjoining land of his honored father Joseph, and evidence of two Joseph Presbreys in 1748. The first lists a vital record for Hannah in a volume contemporaneous with the event. The second ties a son, William, who is old enough to own land his birth before 1750, to a father, Joseph, who is still alive on 8 January 1771. The final 1748 record seems to indicate there was more than one Joseph Presbrey at the time residing in the area necessitating the descriptor “young” when none were used for the other people listed on the deed. Additionally, the 1848 record suggests that “young Joseph Presbrey” had land and possibly a house on that land although the wording is not clear.

Death

Bef 1772

Spouse	Martha Smith ( - 1773)
Child	WILLIAM Presbrey (1690 - 1771)
Child	Joseph Presbrey (1693 - )
Child	Hannah Presbrey (1715 - )