Individual Details
John Bigelow
( - 14 Jul 1703)
John Bigolo became a Freeman
Selectmen 1665, '70, '71
Surveyor of Highways
Constable
"The first mention we find of John Biglo appears on the Watertown Town Records, where his marriage is the first marriage recorded in that town, viz.: "1642-30-8. John Bigulah and Mary Warin joyned in mariag before Mr. Nowell." She was the daughter of John and Margaret Warren and is said to have been born in England; she bore him thirteen (13) children and died Oct. 19, 1691. From the list of those who took the oath of fidelity at Watertown, 1652, we find that John Biggalough was one of the number and he became a freeman April 18, 1690, which we find from the roll of freemen written as John Biglo, under the same date we find Samuel Begaloo was made a freeman, and by another list, dated May 16, 1690, we find Samuiel Biggilo and John Warren, Jr., were made freemen. On the returns of soldiers who were in the service from Nov. 25, to Dec. 3, 1675, we find the names John Bigulah, Sr., Michaell Flegg and Isaac Leonard, the last named being wounded. Thus we find the name variously spelled by different officials, but when we find the name written by any member of the family in those early days it is written Biglo, Biglow, Bigelo or Bigelow. His trade appears to have been that of a blacksmith, as appears by the following taken from the town records: "Agreed Wth John Biglo yt for ten trees the towne allowed him for the setting up a shop for a Smithes forge, y't he shall either goe on with yt his promise of setting up his trade, W'h is the trade of a Smith Wth in one twelfmonth after the date hearof or else to pay unto the towne ten shillings for these ten trees he acknowledged to have off the townes." Dated March 4, 1651. He was chosen a Surveyor of Highways 1652 and 1660, a Constable 1663, and one of "the seven men" (i.e., Selectman) in 1665, '70, '71. His homestead consisted of six acres and was bounded north by Richard Ambler and William Parker, east by Thomas Straight, south by the highway, and on the west by Miles Ives. After the death of his wife Mary he married second, Oct. 2, 1694, Sarah Bemis, daughter of Joseph Bemis of Watertown. He died July 14, 1703, at the ripe old age of 86 years. His will, dated Jan. 4, 1703, was proved July 23, 1703, and is as follows:
WILL OF JOHN BIGELOW:
In the name of God amen. I John Biglo of Watertown in the county of Midd'x within her Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, being weeke of body, but in sound disposing Memory prais be given to god for the same. Do make this my last will & testament, in manner & form following, that is to say first & principally I resign my soul into the mercy full hands of allmighty god my Creator assuredly hoping through the mercy of my blessed Saviour to obtain pardon commission of all my sins and my body I comit to the earth whence it was taken, to be decently buried by the discreshion of my executors hereinafter named and as for the worldly goods & estate, the lord hath lone me I dispose thereof as follows.
Imp', I give & bequeath unto Sarah my well beloved wife, and to her heirs & assigns forever, all the lands and movable estate, that was hers before our marriage, and forty pounds in money, twenty pounds of s'd money to be p'd her within one month after my decease and twenty pounds within one year after my dece's' I give unto her forty pounds waight of good pork, three bushels of barley, and one bushel of indian corn, five pounds waight in butter & five pounds waight in Chees, and also two Sheep, and half the flax that shall be in the house at my Deces - and that to be in full satisfaction of her thirds.
2ndly I give & bequeath to my eldest son John Biglo, & to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty pounds in money to be p'd within one year after my Deces, and in case my s'd son have an heir lawfully begotten of his own body, I give & bequeath his s'd heir twenty pounds in money to be p'd to him or her, when it shall be of twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happen, but if it hapon my s'd son deces without an heir as above s'd , then my will is y't ye aboves'd twenty pounds be equally devided between my children then surviving.
3dly I give & bequeath unto my son Jonathan Biglo, and to is heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him wth in one year after my deces.
4thly I give & bequeath to my son Daniell Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
5thly I give & bequeath to my son Samuel Biglo, and to his heirs & assigns forever ten pounds in money besides what he hath already had, to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
6thly I give & bequeath unto my son Joshua Biglo, and to his heirs & assigns forever two parcels of lands lying on the westerly side of bow brook in s'd town. Purchased of Leiut Cha' Hammond as may more fully appear by the deed of the same, and twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
7ly I give & bequeath unto my son James Biglo fifteen pounds, which I lent him as may appear by a bond under his hand and seal, and I give & bequeath to my said son James' son James Biglo ten pounds in money to be p'd him if he shall live to the age of twenty one years, but if it so happen that he deces. before s'd age, then ye s'd ten pounds to be equally devided between my s'd son James' surviving children, when they shall be of the age of twenty one years or day of marriage which shall first happon.
8thly I give & bequeath to my Daughter Mary Flagg & to her heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd her with two years after my Deces.
9thly I give & bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Sterns' children twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd them, when they are twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happon.
10thly I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Learned, and to her heirs and assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money, within three years after Deces.
11thly I give & bequeath to my daughter Martha Wood's children, lawfully begotten of her own body, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd them equally a like, when they shall arrive at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage, which shall first hapon.
12thly I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Abigail Herrington & to her heirs & assigns, twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd within fower years after my Deces. and I nominat, ordain & appoint, my above s'd son Joshua Biglo and my son in Law Isaac Larnerd my Sole executors, to se, this my last will & testament performed and all the rest and residue of my estate not herein bequeathed, after all my just debts and funerall charges are p'd my will is that it be devided between my s'd executors, that is to say, two parts of three, to my s'd son Joshua, and one third to my son in Law Isaac Leanerd, and do request my trusty & well beloved friend, Capt Benj Garfield to be my overseer of this my last will & testament, my s'd executors to allow him out of my estate for his cost & charges reasonable sattisfaction to his content, Revoking & making null and void all former or other wills by me heretofore made, In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fourth day of January one thousand seven hundred two-three, and in the first year of the reign of our Lady Anna, by the Grace of God over England & Queen.
John (his mark) Biglo
Signed, sealed & published
Witnesses: Sam'l Livermore, Daniel Harrington, Munning Sawin
The inventory of his estate amounted to 627-12-00 pounds. Among the expenses charged for the funeral we find several pairs of black gloves, twenty gallons of wine, bottles for the same, allspice and sugar, and two men and horses to carry the wine and other articles to the funeral, also "a man and horse to notify John Stearns at Billerica to attend the funeral." "a man and horse to Sherburne to notify Isaac Larned and wife to attend the funeral."
SOURCE: Book " Genealogy of the Bigelow Family in America" by Gilman Bigelow Howe. Printed by Charles Hamilton, Worcester, Mass. (1890). Pages 19-21
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"BIGELOW. (Biglow, Biglo, Bigulah, &c.)
JOHN BIGELOW, a blacksmith, of Wat., took the oath of fidelity, 1652, and was selectman 1665, '70, '71. He m., Oct. 30, 1642, MARY WARREN. [Warren, 3.] [This is the earliest marriage found in the town records.] She d. Oct. 19, 1691. and he m. (2d), Oct. 2, 1694, SARAH BEMIS. (Bemis, 2.] He d. July 14, 1703, aged 86. Inventory, (in pounds) 627, 12. His will was dated Jan. 4, 1702-3, and proved July 28, 1703."
SOURCE: Book Title Page: Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, including Waltham and Weston; to which is appended The Early History of the Town. With Illustrations, Maps and Notes. By Henry Bond, M. D. Second Edition. With a memoir of the author, by Horatio Gates Jones, A. M. Two Volumes in One. Boston: Published by the N. E. Historic-Genealogical Society, For the benefit of the "Bond Fund." 1860. (Page #29).
Infor. to connect John Bigelow to his father Randal Bigelow by Ken Smith # 46985536.
•Name: John BIGELOW
•Sex: M
•Birth: BEF 16 FEB 1616/17 in Or Wrentham, County Suffolk, England
•Baptism: 15 FEB 1616/17 Wrentham Parish, Suffolk, England
•Occupation: 1651 Blacksmith
•Event: Comment 1 1652 Oath of Fidelity
•Event: Comment 2 1663 Constable
•Event: Comment 3 1652 Surveyor of roads
•Death: 14 JUL 1703 in Watertown, Middlesex, MA
•Note:
The immigrant ancestor of nearly all persons in North America bearing the surname Bigelow in any of its several variants, is John Biglo of Watertown, Massachusetts.
John (Biglo) Bigelow lived from 1617 to 1703. Many of his descendants have been recorded in a genealogy entitled The Bigelow Family in America, written by Gilman Bigelow Howe, printed 1890. The book was published by Charles Hamilton of Boston, and is no longer available except by photo-copy reprint. Rebound used copies occasionally come into the used-book market with the simple title Bigelow Genealogy. In this book Howe states that he was unable to obtain any satisfactory account of the progenitor of John Biglo, and quotes conflicting traditions stating that the surname is of various national origins. He also quotes the late genealogist H.G. Somerby, who felt that John Biglo came from Wrentham, Suffolk, England, and was son of Randall and Jane Beageley, who had their youngest son, John, baptized 16 February 1617.
Also, from the probate records of Wrentham, Somerby quotes the will of a Francis Baguley, blacksmith, of Wrentham, who in a will dated 20 October 1656, granted five pounds "to his brother John Baguley, now living in New England, if he comes for it within two years". He offered no proof that Francis was son of Randall Baguley. The rector of Wrentham parish in 1617 was the Rev. John Phillips, who later emigrated to Dedham, Massachusetts. During his years in Dedham, Phillips once stated that the blacksmith John Biglo of Watertown, Massachusetts was the same infant whom he had baptized in 1617 as the son of Randall Beageley, and that he (Phillips) had "known John Biglo from earliest youth upward'.
Further, in a civil case in Watertown during his lifetime, John Biglo took the witness stand and identified himself as "John Biglo, formerly of Wrentham, England." From these facts we state the identity and parentage of John Biglo, and through parish and probate records in England, can prove three generations of his English ancestry.
John Biglo seems to have arrived in Watertown, MA about 1632. He probably came with an older relative, Elizabeth Bigelow, second wife of Deacon Richard Butler, who after a short stay in Massachusetts, followed the Rev. Thomas Hooker to Connecticut. It is assumed that Elizabeth was an older sister or first cousin. No ship's-records exist showing the date of their arrival.
John Biglo took part in the Pequot War of 1636, serving from Watertown. The next public mention we find of him is his marriage in Watertown on 30 October 1642--the first marriage recorded in Watertown--before Mr. Nowell, to Mary Warren, daughter of John and Margaret Warren.
Ella Biglow's book, Reminiscences of Historic Marlborouqh, MA, contains a fictional description of John at his wedding, in white satin breeches, ruffled shirt, and silver shoe buckles. To quote from Howe's book, "from the list of those who took the oath of fidelity at Watertown 1652, we find that John Biggalough was one of the number, and he became a freeman 18 April 1690 which we find from the roll of freeman written as John Bigolo; under the same date we find that Samuel Begaloo was made a freeman, and by another list, date 16 May 1690, we find Samuel Biggilo and John Warren jr. were made freemen. On the return of soldiers who were in the service from 25 November to 3 December 1675 [King Philip's War]we find the names of John Bigulah Sr, Michael Flegg, and Isaac Leonard, the last being wounded. Thus we find the name variously spelled by different officials, but when we find the name written by any member of the family, in those early days it is written Biglo, Bigelo, or Bigelow." John Biglo appears by various accounts to have been a blacksmith, and again from town records we quote: "Agreed with John Biglo that for ten trees the towne allowed him for the setting up of a shop for a Smithes forge, that he shall either go on with his promise of setting up his trade, which is the trade of a Smith, within one twelfmonth after the date hereof or else to pay unto the towne ten shillings for these ten trees he acknowledged to have off the towne." Dated 4 March 1651.
John Biglo was chosen a surveyor of highways in 1652 and 1660, a constable [Tax-collector] in 1663, and one of the selectmen or town council, in 1665, 1670, and 1671. His homesite consisted of six acres and was bounded north by Richard Ambler and William Parker, east by Thomas Straight, south by the highway, and on the west by Miles Ives After the death of his wife Mary in 1691, he married (2) on 2 October 1694, Sarah Bemis, daughter of Joseph Bemis. She outlived him. He died on 14 July 1703, at he age of 86 years, as recorded in town records. His will was dated 4 January 1703 and was proved 23 July 1703.
The will of John Biglo in its entirety, is as follows:
"In the name of God amen. I John Biglo of Watertown in the county of Middlesex within her Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, being weeke of body but in sound disposing Memory prais be given to god for the same, Do make this my last will and testament in manner & form following, that is to say first and principally I resign my soul unto the mercy full hands of allmighty god my Creator assuredly hoping through the mercy of my blessed Saviour to obtain pardon remission of all my sins and my body I commit to the earth whence it was taken, to be decently buried by the discreshion of my executors hereinafter named and as for the worldly goods & estate the lord hath lone me I dispose thereof as follows:
"I give and bequeath unto Sarah my well beloved wife, and to her heirs & assigns forever, all the lands and movable estate, that was hers before our marriage, and forty pounds in money, twenty pounds of s'd money to be p'd her within one month after my decease and twenty pounds within one year after my dece's I give unto her forty pounds waight of good pork, three bushels of barley, and one bushel of indian corn, five pounds waight in butter and five pounds waight in Chees, and also two Sheep, and half the flax that shall be in the house at my Deces--and that to be in full satisfaction of her thirds,
2ndly I give & bequeath to my eldest son John Biglo, & to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty pounds in money to be p'd within one year after my Deces, and in case my s'd son have an heir lawfully begotten of his own body, I give & bequeath his s'd heir twenty pounds in money to be p'd to him or her, when it shall be twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happen, but if it hapon my s'd son deces without an heir as above s'd, then my will is y't ye aboves'd twenty pounds be equally divided between my children then surviving.
3rdly I give & bequeath unto my son Jonathan Biglo, and to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
4thly I give & bequeath to my son Daniell Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
5thly I give & bequeath to my son Samuel Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever ten pounds in money besides what he hath already had, to be p'd to him within one year after my deces.
6thly I give and bequeath unto my son Joshua Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever two parcels of lands lying on the westerly side of bow brook in s'd town. Purchased of Lieut Chas Hammond as may more fully appear by the deed of the same, and twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
7thly I give & bequeath unto my son James Biglo fifteen pounds, which I lent him as may appear by a bond under his hand and seal, and I give & bequeath to my said son James's son James Biglo ten pounds in money to be p'd him if he shall live to the age of twenty one years, but if it so happen that he deces before s'd age, then ye s'd ten pounds to be equally divided between my s'd son James surviving children, when they shall be of the age of twenty one years or day of marriage which shall first happen.
8thly I give & bequeath to my Daughter Mary Flagg and to her heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd her within two years aft 9thly I give & bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Sterns' children twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd them, when they are twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happen.
10thly. I give & bequeath to my daughter Sarah Learned, and assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money, within three years after my Deces.
llthly. I give & bequeath to my daughter Martha wood's children, lawfully begotten of her own body, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd them equally alike, when they shall arrive at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage, which shall first happen.
12th. I give & bequeath unto my daughter Abigail Herrington & to her heirs & assigns, twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd within four years after my deces.
And I nominat, ordain, & appoint, my above s'd son Joshua Biglo and my son in law Isaac Larned my Sole Executors to see this my last will & testament performed and all the rest and residue of my estate not herein bequeathed, after all my just debts and funerall charges are p'd my will is that it be divided between my s'd executors, that is to say, two parts of three, to my s'd son Joshua, and one third to my son in law Isaac Leanerd, and do request my trusty and well beloved friend, Capt. Benj. Garfield to be my overseer of this my last will & testament, my s'd executors to allow him out of my estate for his cost & charges reasonable sattisfaction to his content, Revoking & making null & void all former or other wills by me heretofore made. In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fourth day of January one thousand seven hundred two/three, in the first year of the reign of our lady Anna, by the Grace of God over England & Queen.
Signed, seald & Published
Sam'l Livermore
Daniel Harrington Witnesses
Munning Sawin"
his
JOHN x BIGLO
mark
The inventory of John Biglo's estate amounted to L 627-12-00. This was a middle-class fortune. Among the expenses charged for the funeral were several pairs of black gloves, twenty gallons of wine, bottles for the wine, allspice and sugar, and two men and horses to carry the wine and other articles to the
funeral, also " a man and horse to notify Isaac Larned and wife at Sherburne to attend the funeral, and a man and horse to notify John Stearns at Billerica to attend the funeral". An additional note comes from the Knight family genealogy, in which Joseph Knight and his wife Hannah in 1649 sold "a mansion and land" to John Biglo. A map of early Watertown is shown in Robinson & Wheeler's book, Great Little
Watertown; the land owned by John Biglo appears at the extreme left of the map, as does the adjoining parcel purchased from Joseph Knight. John Biglo owned several pieces of property, and in 1686 executed a gift-in-deed, conveying 16 acres and the house thereon "already occupied by my son Samuel" to Samuel Biglow and wife.
The children of John and Mary (Warren) Bigelow, all born in Watertown, Middlesex co, Massachusetts, are as follows;
1. John born 27 Oct 1643; died about 1721 in Hartford, Connecticut; he married, at unknown date, Rebecca Olmsted, to whose nephew his property was willed. Resided Hartford., Connecticut. No issue.
2. Jonathan born 11 Dec 1646; died 9 Jan 1711 Hartford, Connecticut; married (1)1671 Rebecca Shepard who died before 1686; (2) Mary Olcott,who died 7 Mar 1697 (3) Mary (Benton) Cole. Resided
Hartford, Connecticut. 12 children.
3. Mary born 16 Mar 1648; died in Watertown before 1704; married 3 June 1674 Michael Flagg. 3 children.
4. Daniel born 1 Dec 1650; died about 1715; married at unknown date Abial Pratt; he was a tailor; resided Framingham, Massachusetts. 6 childre
5. Samuel born 28 Oct 1653; died 1 Feb 1731/2 Waltham, Massachusetts; married 3 June 1674 Mary Flagg. An innkeeper & carpenter, he resided Watertown to 1720, & held several town offices. 10 children.
6. Joshua born 5 Nov 1655; died 1 Feb 1745 Westminster, Massachusetts; married 20 Oct 1676 Elizabeth Flagg. Resided Watertown most of his life. 12 children.
7. Elizabeth born 15 June 1657; died 18 April 1694 Billerica Massachusetts; married at unknown date John Stearns. Resided Billerica. 7 children.
8. Sarah born 29 Sept 1659; died after 1703 at Framingham, Massachusetts; married 23 July 1679 Isaac Larned. Resided Framingham. 11 children
9. James born about 1660; died unknown at Watertown; married (1)25 Mar 1687 Patience Brown; (2)3 July 1693 Elizabeth Child; (3)15 June 1708 Johanna Erickson. Resided Watertown. 4 children. male line, however, died out in the next generation.
A Martha born 1 April 1662; died unknown date. She married (1)1686 Thomas Olmsted, and divorced 1687; (2)Obadiah Woods of E. Hartford, CT, who died 1712. Martha's family is uncertain, but she left several children.
B Abigail born 4 Feb 1664; died 12 Jan 1754 Watertown; married 10 Dec 1684 Benjamin Harrington. Resided Watertown. 4 childre
C Hannah born 4 Mar 1666;,died 8 Mar 1666
D A son unnamed, born and died 18 Dec 1667.
Selectmen 1665, '70, '71
Surveyor of Highways
Constable
"The first mention we find of John Biglo appears on the Watertown Town Records, where his marriage is the first marriage recorded in that town, viz.: "1642-30-8. John Bigulah and Mary Warin joyned in mariag before Mr. Nowell." She was the daughter of John and Margaret Warren and is said to have been born in England; she bore him thirteen (13) children and died Oct. 19, 1691. From the list of those who took the oath of fidelity at Watertown, 1652, we find that John Biggalough was one of the number and he became a freeman April 18, 1690, which we find from the roll of freemen written as John Biglo, under the same date we find Samuel Begaloo was made a freeman, and by another list, dated May 16, 1690, we find Samuiel Biggilo and John Warren, Jr., were made freemen. On the returns of soldiers who were in the service from Nov. 25, to Dec. 3, 1675, we find the names John Bigulah, Sr., Michaell Flegg and Isaac Leonard, the last named being wounded. Thus we find the name variously spelled by different officials, but when we find the name written by any member of the family in those early days it is written Biglo, Biglow, Bigelo or Bigelow. His trade appears to have been that of a blacksmith, as appears by the following taken from the town records: "Agreed Wth John Biglo yt for ten trees the towne allowed him for the setting up a shop for a Smithes forge, y't he shall either goe on with yt his promise of setting up his trade, W'h is the trade of a Smith Wth in one twelfmonth after the date hearof or else to pay unto the towne ten shillings for these ten trees he acknowledged to have off the townes." Dated March 4, 1651. He was chosen a Surveyor of Highways 1652 and 1660, a Constable 1663, and one of "the seven men" (i.e., Selectman) in 1665, '70, '71. His homestead consisted of six acres and was bounded north by Richard Ambler and William Parker, east by Thomas Straight, south by the highway, and on the west by Miles Ives. After the death of his wife Mary he married second, Oct. 2, 1694, Sarah Bemis, daughter of Joseph Bemis of Watertown. He died July 14, 1703, at the ripe old age of 86 years. His will, dated Jan. 4, 1703, was proved July 23, 1703, and is as follows:
WILL OF JOHN BIGELOW:
In the name of God amen. I John Biglo of Watertown in the county of Midd'x within her Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, being weeke of body, but in sound disposing Memory prais be given to god for the same. Do make this my last will & testament, in manner & form following, that is to say first & principally I resign my soul into the mercy full hands of allmighty god my Creator assuredly hoping through the mercy of my blessed Saviour to obtain pardon commission of all my sins and my body I comit to the earth whence it was taken, to be decently buried by the discreshion of my executors hereinafter named and as for the worldly goods & estate, the lord hath lone me I dispose thereof as follows.
Imp', I give & bequeath unto Sarah my well beloved wife, and to her heirs & assigns forever, all the lands and movable estate, that was hers before our marriage, and forty pounds in money, twenty pounds of s'd money to be p'd her within one month after my decease and twenty pounds within one year after my dece's' I give unto her forty pounds waight of good pork, three bushels of barley, and one bushel of indian corn, five pounds waight in butter & five pounds waight in Chees, and also two Sheep, and half the flax that shall be in the house at my Deces - and that to be in full satisfaction of her thirds.
2ndly I give & bequeath to my eldest son John Biglo, & to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty pounds in money to be p'd within one year after my Deces, and in case my s'd son have an heir lawfully begotten of his own body, I give & bequeath his s'd heir twenty pounds in money to be p'd to him or her, when it shall be of twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happen, but if it hapon my s'd son deces without an heir as above s'd , then my will is y't ye aboves'd twenty pounds be equally devided between my children then surviving.
3dly I give & bequeath unto my son Jonathan Biglo, and to is heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him wth in one year after my deces.
4thly I give & bequeath to my son Daniell Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
5thly I give & bequeath to my son Samuel Biglo, and to his heirs & assigns forever ten pounds in money besides what he hath already had, to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
6thly I give & bequeath unto my son Joshua Biglo, and to his heirs & assigns forever two parcels of lands lying on the westerly side of bow brook in s'd town. Purchased of Leiut Cha' Hammond as may more fully appear by the deed of the same, and twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
7ly I give & bequeath unto my son James Biglo fifteen pounds, which I lent him as may appear by a bond under his hand and seal, and I give & bequeath to my said son James' son James Biglo ten pounds in money to be p'd him if he shall live to the age of twenty one years, but if it so happen that he deces. before s'd age, then ye s'd ten pounds to be equally devided between my s'd son James' surviving children, when they shall be of the age of twenty one years or day of marriage which shall first happon.
8thly I give & bequeath to my Daughter Mary Flagg & to her heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd her with two years after my Deces.
9thly I give & bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Sterns' children twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd them, when they are twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happon.
10thly I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Learned, and to her heirs and assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money, within three years after Deces.
11thly I give & bequeath to my daughter Martha Wood's children, lawfully begotten of her own body, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd them equally a like, when they shall arrive at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage, which shall first hapon.
12thly I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Abigail Herrington & to her heirs & assigns, twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd within fower years after my Deces. and I nominat, ordain & appoint, my above s'd son Joshua Biglo and my son in Law Isaac Larnerd my Sole executors, to se, this my last will & testament performed and all the rest and residue of my estate not herein bequeathed, after all my just debts and funerall charges are p'd my will is that it be devided between my s'd executors, that is to say, two parts of three, to my s'd son Joshua, and one third to my son in Law Isaac Leanerd, and do request my trusty & well beloved friend, Capt Benj Garfield to be my overseer of this my last will & testament, my s'd executors to allow him out of my estate for his cost & charges reasonable sattisfaction to his content, Revoking & making null and void all former or other wills by me heretofore made, In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fourth day of January one thousand seven hundred two-three, and in the first year of the reign of our Lady Anna, by the Grace of God over England & Queen.
John (his mark) Biglo
Signed, sealed & published
Witnesses: Sam'l Livermore, Daniel Harrington, Munning Sawin
The inventory of his estate amounted to 627-12-00 pounds. Among the expenses charged for the funeral we find several pairs of black gloves, twenty gallons of wine, bottles for the same, allspice and sugar, and two men and horses to carry the wine and other articles to the funeral, also "a man and horse to notify John Stearns at Billerica to attend the funeral." "a man and horse to Sherburne to notify Isaac Larned and wife to attend the funeral."
SOURCE: Book " Genealogy of the Bigelow Family in America" by Gilman Bigelow Howe. Printed by Charles Hamilton, Worcester, Mass. (1890). Pages 19-21
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"BIGELOW. (Biglow, Biglo, Bigulah, &c.)
JOHN BIGELOW, a blacksmith, of Wat., took the oath of fidelity, 1652, and was selectman 1665, '70, '71. He m., Oct. 30, 1642, MARY WARREN. [Warren, 3.] [This is the earliest marriage found in the town records.] She d. Oct. 19, 1691. and he m. (2d), Oct. 2, 1694, SARAH BEMIS. (Bemis, 2.] He d. July 14, 1703, aged 86. Inventory, (in pounds) 627, 12. His will was dated Jan. 4, 1702-3, and proved July 28, 1703."
SOURCE: Book Title Page: Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, including Waltham and Weston; to which is appended The Early History of the Town. With Illustrations, Maps and Notes. By Henry Bond, M. D. Second Edition. With a memoir of the author, by Horatio Gates Jones, A. M. Two Volumes in One. Boston: Published by the N. E. Historic-Genealogical Society, For the benefit of the "Bond Fund." 1860. (Page #29).
Infor. to connect John Bigelow to his father Randal Bigelow by Ken Smith # 46985536.
•Name: John BIGELOW
•Sex: M
•Birth: BEF 16 FEB 1616/17 in Or Wrentham, County Suffolk, England
•Baptism: 15 FEB 1616/17 Wrentham Parish, Suffolk, England
•Occupation: 1651 Blacksmith
•Event: Comment 1 1652 Oath of Fidelity
•Event: Comment 2 1663 Constable
•Event: Comment 3 1652 Surveyor of roads
•Death: 14 JUL 1703 in Watertown, Middlesex, MA
•Note:
The immigrant ancestor of nearly all persons in North America bearing the surname Bigelow in any of its several variants, is John Biglo of Watertown, Massachusetts.
John (Biglo) Bigelow lived from 1617 to 1703. Many of his descendants have been recorded in a genealogy entitled The Bigelow Family in America, written by Gilman Bigelow Howe, printed 1890. The book was published by Charles Hamilton of Boston, and is no longer available except by photo-copy reprint. Rebound used copies occasionally come into the used-book market with the simple title Bigelow Genealogy. In this book Howe states that he was unable to obtain any satisfactory account of the progenitor of John Biglo, and quotes conflicting traditions stating that the surname is of various national origins. He also quotes the late genealogist H.G. Somerby, who felt that John Biglo came from Wrentham, Suffolk, England, and was son of Randall and Jane Beageley, who had their youngest son, John, baptized 16 February 1617.
Also, from the probate records of Wrentham, Somerby quotes the will of a Francis Baguley, blacksmith, of Wrentham, who in a will dated 20 October 1656, granted five pounds "to his brother John Baguley, now living in New England, if he comes for it within two years". He offered no proof that Francis was son of Randall Baguley. The rector of Wrentham parish in 1617 was the Rev. John Phillips, who later emigrated to Dedham, Massachusetts. During his years in Dedham, Phillips once stated that the blacksmith John Biglo of Watertown, Massachusetts was the same infant whom he had baptized in 1617 as the son of Randall Beageley, and that he (Phillips) had "known John Biglo from earliest youth upward'.
Further, in a civil case in Watertown during his lifetime, John Biglo took the witness stand and identified himself as "John Biglo, formerly of Wrentham, England." From these facts we state the identity and parentage of John Biglo, and through parish and probate records in England, can prove three generations of his English ancestry.
John Biglo seems to have arrived in Watertown, MA about 1632. He probably came with an older relative, Elizabeth Bigelow, second wife of Deacon Richard Butler, who after a short stay in Massachusetts, followed the Rev. Thomas Hooker to Connecticut. It is assumed that Elizabeth was an older sister or first cousin. No ship's-records exist showing the date of their arrival.
John Biglo took part in the Pequot War of 1636, serving from Watertown. The next public mention we find of him is his marriage in Watertown on 30 October 1642--the first marriage recorded in Watertown--before Mr. Nowell, to Mary Warren, daughter of John and Margaret Warren.
Ella Biglow's book, Reminiscences of Historic Marlborouqh, MA, contains a fictional description of John at his wedding, in white satin breeches, ruffled shirt, and silver shoe buckles. To quote from Howe's book, "from the list of those who took the oath of fidelity at Watertown 1652, we find that John Biggalough was one of the number, and he became a freeman 18 April 1690 which we find from the roll of freeman written as John Bigolo; under the same date we find that Samuel Begaloo was made a freeman, and by another list, date 16 May 1690, we find Samuel Biggilo and John Warren jr. were made freemen. On the return of soldiers who were in the service from 25 November to 3 December 1675 [King Philip's War]we find the names of John Bigulah Sr, Michael Flegg, and Isaac Leonard, the last being wounded. Thus we find the name variously spelled by different officials, but when we find the name written by any member of the family, in those early days it is written Biglo, Bigelo, or Bigelow." John Biglo appears by various accounts to have been a blacksmith, and again from town records we quote: "Agreed with John Biglo that for ten trees the towne allowed him for the setting up of a shop for a Smithes forge, that he shall either go on with his promise of setting up his trade, which is the trade of a Smith, within one twelfmonth after the date hereof or else to pay unto the towne ten shillings for these ten trees he acknowledged to have off the towne." Dated 4 March 1651.
John Biglo was chosen a surveyor of highways in 1652 and 1660, a constable [Tax-collector] in 1663, and one of the selectmen or town council, in 1665, 1670, and 1671. His homesite consisted of six acres and was bounded north by Richard Ambler and William Parker, east by Thomas Straight, south by the highway, and on the west by Miles Ives After the death of his wife Mary in 1691, he married (2) on 2 October 1694, Sarah Bemis, daughter of Joseph Bemis. She outlived him. He died on 14 July 1703, at he age of 86 years, as recorded in town records. His will was dated 4 January 1703 and was proved 23 July 1703.
The will of John Biglo in its entirety, is as follows:
"In the name of God amen. I John Biglo of Watertown in the county of Middlesex within her Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, being weeke of body but in sound disposing Memory prais be given to god for the same, Do make this my last will and testament in manner & form following, that is to say first and principally I resign my soul unto the mercy full hands of allmighty god my Creator assuredly hoping through the mercy of my blessed Saviour to obtain pardon remission of all my sins and my body I commit to the earth whence it was taken, to be decently buried by the discreshion of my executors hereinafter named and as for the worldly goods & estate the lord hath lone me I dispose thereof as follows:
"I give and bequeath unto Sarah my well beloved wife, and to her heirs & assigns forever, all the lands and movable estate, that was hers before our marriage, and forty pounds in money, twenty pounds of s'd money to be p'd her within one month after my decease and twenty pounds within one year after my dece's I give unto her forty pounds waight of good pork, three bushels of barley, and one bushel of indian corn, five pounds waight in butter and five pounds waight in Chees, and also two Sheep, and half the flax that shall be in the house at my Deces--and that to be in full satisfaction of her thirds,
2ndly I give & bequeath to my eldest son John Biglo, & to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty pounds in money to be p'd within one year after my Deces, and in case my s'd son have an heir lawfully begotten of his own body, I give & bequeath his s'd heir twenty pounds in money to be p'd to him or her, when it shall be twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happen, but if it hapon my s'd son deces without an heir as above s'd, then my will is y't ye aboves'd twenty pounds be equally divided between my children then surviving.
3rdly I give & bequeath unto my son Jonathan Biglo, and to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
4thly I give & bequeath to my son Daniell Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
5thly I give & bequeath to my son Samuel Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever ten pounds in money besides what he hath already had, to be p'd to him within one year after my deces.
6thly I give and bequeath unto my son Joshua Biglo and to his heirs & assigns forever two parcels of lands lying on the westerly side of bow brook in s'd town. Purchased of Lieut Chas Hammond as may more fully appear by the deed of the same, and twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd him within one year after my deces.
7thly I give & bequeath unto my son James Biglo fifteen pounds, which I lent him as may appear by a bond under his hand and seal, and I give & bequeath to my said son James's son James Biglo ten pounds in money to be p'd him if he shall live to the age of twenty one years, but if it so happen that he deces before s'd age, then ye s'd ten pounds to be equally divided between my s'd son James surviving children, when they shall be of the age of twenty one years or day of marriage which shall first happen.
8thly I give & bequeath to my Daughter Mary Flagg and to her heirs & assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd her within two years aft 9thly I give & bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Sterns' children twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd them, when they are twenty one years of age, or day of marriage which shall first happen.
10thly. I give & bequeath to my daughter Sarah Learned, and assigns forever, twenty five pounds in money, within three years after my Deces.
llthly. I give & bequeath to my daughter Martha wood's children, lawfully begotten of her own body, twenty five pounds in money to be p'd them equally alike, when they shall arrive at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage, which shall first happen.
12th. I give & bequeath unto my daughter Abigail Herrington & to her heirs & assigns, twenty five pounds in money, to be p'd within four years after my deces.
And I nominat, ordain, & appoint, my above s'd son Joshua Biglo and my son in law Isaac Larned my Sole Executors to see this my last will & testament performed and all the rest and residue of my estate not herein bequeathed, after all my just debts and funerall charges are p'd my will is that it be divided between my s'd executors, that is to say, two parts of three, to my s'd son Joshua, and one third to my son in law Isaac Leanerd, and do request my trusty and well beloved friend, Capt. Benj. Garfield to be my overseer of this my last will & testament, my s'd executors to allow him out of my estate for his cost & charges reasonable sattisfaction to his content, Revoking & making null & void all former or other wills by me heretofore made. In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fourth day of January one thousand seven hundred two/three, in the first year of the reign of our lady Anna, by the Grace of God over England & Queen.
Signed, seald & Published
Sam'l Livermore
Daniel Harrington Witnesses
Munning Sawin"
his
JOHN x BIGLO
mark
The inventory of John Biglo's estate amounted to L 627-12-00. This was a middle-class fortune. Among the expenses charged for the funeral were several pairs of black gloves, twenty gallons of wine, bottles for the wine, allspice and sugar, and two men and horses to carry the wine and other articles to the
funeral, also " a man and horse to notify Isaac Larned and wife at Sherburne to attend the funeral, and a man and horse to notify John Stearns at Billerica to attend the funeral". An additional note comes from the Knight family genealogy, in which Joseph Knight and his wife Hannah in 1649 sold "a mansion and land" to John Biglo. A map of early Watertown is shown in Robinson & Wheeler's book, Great Little
Watertown; the land owned by John Biglo appears at the extreme left of the map, as does the adjoining parcel purchased from Joseph Knight. John Biglo owned several pieces of property, and in 1686 executed a gift-in-deed, conveying 16 acres and the house thereon "already occupied by my son Samuel" to Samuel Biglow and wife.
The children of John and Mary (Warren) Bigelow, all born in Watertown, Middlesex co, Massachusetts, are as follows;
1. John born 27 Oct 1643; died about 1721 in Hartford, Connecticut; he married, at unknown date, Rebecca Olmsted, to whose nephew his property was willed. Resided Hartford., Connecticut. No issue.
2. Jonathan born 11 Dec 1646; died 9 Jan 1711 Hartford, Connecticut; married (1)1671 Rebecca Shepard who died before 1686; (2) Mary Olcott,who died 7 Mar 1697 (3) Mary (Benton) Cole. Resided
Hartford, Connecticut. 12 children.
3. Mary born 16 Mar 1648; died in Watertown before 1704; married 3 June 1674 Michael Flagg. 3 children.
4. Daniel born 1 Dec 1650; died about 1715; married at unknown date Abial Pratt; he was a tailor; resided Framingham, Massachusetts. 6 childre
5. Samuel born 28 Oct 1653; died 1 Feb 1731/2 Waltham, Massachusetts; married 3 June 1674 Mary Flagg. An innkeeper & carpenter, he resided Watertown to 1720, & held several town offices. 10 children.
6. Joshua born 5 Nov 1655; died 1 Feb 1745 Westminster, Massachusetts; married 20 Oct 1676 Elizabeth Flagg. Resided Watertown most of his life. 12 children.
7. Elizabeth born 15 June 1657; died 18 April 1694 Billerica Massachusetts; married at unknown date John Stearns. Resided Billerica. 7 children.
8. Sarah born 29 Sept 1659; died after 1703 at Framingham, Massachusetts; married 23 July 1679 Isaac Larned. Resided Framingham. 11 children
9. James born about 1660; died unknown at Watertown; married (1)25 Mar 1687 Patience Brown; (2)3 July 1693 Elizabeth Child; (3)15 June 1708 Johanna Erickson. Resided Watertown. 4 children. male line, however, died out in the next generation.
A Martha born 1 April 1662; died unknown date. She married (1)1686 Thomas Olmsted, and divorced 1687; (2)Obadiah Woods of E. Hartford, CT, who died 1712. Martha's family is uncertain, but she left several children.
B Abigail born 4 Feb 1664; died 12 Jan 1754 Watertown; married 10 Dec 1684 Benjamin Harrington. Resided Watertown. 4 childre
C Hannah born 4 Mar 1666;,died 8 Mar 1666
D A son unnamed, born and died 18 Dec 1667.
Events
| Christen | 15 Feb 1616 | Wrentham, Suffolk, England | |||
| Marriage | 30 Oct 1642 | Watertown, Massachusetts - Mary Warren | |||
| Death | 14 Jul 1703 | Watertown, Massachusetts | |||
| Burial | Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts |  |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Warren ( - 1691) |
| Child | Sarah Bigelow (1659 - 1694) |
| Father | John Randell Baguley (1578 - 1626) |
| Mother | Jane Cummings (1580 - 1626) |
Endnotes
1. Find A Grave Memorial 50361796.