Individual Details

Thomas Ruggles of Nazeing, Essex County, England, was born in Sudbury, Suffolk County, England, in 1584. He came to Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1637 and was freeman May 22, 1639. He married in Nazing, England, Mary Curtis. He died in Roxbury, November 16, 1644, and his wife died in 1674, leaving four children. His son Samuel was many years selectman, representative, and captain of the Roxbury company. His son Samuel succeeded his father in the several offices named and in company with seven other persons purchased, Dec. 27, 1686, for L20, from John Nagers and Lawrence Nassawano, two noted Indians, a tract of land containing by estimation 12 miles long north and south and eight miles wide east and west. This purchase is now known as the town of Hardwick, Mass.
His son, the Rev. Timothy Ruggles, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, November 3, 1685, and married Mary White, the daughter of Benjamin and Susanna White. He graduated from Harvard College in 1707, and was ordained pastor of the Rochester church in 1710, which office he held until his death which occurred October 26, 1768. He was a great worker in the community and much beloved.
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Records compiled by Clara Coburn Hearn:
Thomas Ruggles was born in 1584. He married Mary Curtis, sister of the first Wm. Curtis of Roxbury, bpt in Nazing, England in April 1589. They were married in Nazing on 1 Nov 1620. They came to America settling in Roxbury, Mass. in 1637. He was brother of John Ruggles. He did not live long after their arrival, dying in Roxbury on 15 Nov 1644 of consumption. Mary married 2nd. ------ Root. She was burried on 14 Feb 1674 at the age of 88 yrs. On her dfeath Elliot wrote " Old Mother Roote who was Thos. Ruggles' widow before. She lived not only til past youth but til more tedious than a child. She was in her 89th yr." Thomas Ruggles and John Graves were the first to die of the group which came from Nazing.
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Source: WFT Vol.10-3541. Automated Archives, Inc. He was the imigrant ancestor of the family. Came to Roxburey, MA in 1637 with his wife and children, Sarah and Samuel, his oldest son having died in ENG and his second son John being brought over as a servant of Phillip Eliot. Thomas and his wife joined the church soon after their arrival per records of the First Church of Roxbury by John Eliot. The homestead was on the south side of the First church and included the hill where the lower Roxbury Fort stood. He was freeman of Roxbury on 22 May 1639. It is believed that he had another wife named Mary Roote. Possibly wife of Ralph Roote that came to USA on "Abigail" in 1635. She was his 2nd wife. His will Proved 29 Mar 1666. Source: History of Peter Parker and Sarah Ruggles found in FTM Genealogy Library.com. He died of a consumption. Burial by: Rev. John Eliot. His death was one of the two that broke the knot of the Nazing Christians, the group that came from ENG. The group was distinguished for their piety.
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Citation: Historic Homes and Places and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs ..., Volume 4, Page 1877, edited by William Richard Cutter - A Google Book Online.
Source text: Lists the ancestry of Thomas Ruggles and lists his Marriage to Mary Curtis, sister to William Curtis. Lists the children of Thomas and Mary Ruggles.
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In the records of the First Church of Roxbury is written in the hand of Rev. John Eliot:
"Thomas Ruggles he came to N. E. in the yeare 1637, he was Eldr. brothr. to John Ruggles; children of a Godly fathr. he joyned to the Church soone after his coming being as well knowne as his brothr. his first born sone dyed in England his second son John was brought over a servant by Phillip Eliot; & he brought two othr. children wh. him: Sarah & Samuell; he had a great sicknesse the yeare after his coming, but the Lord recovered him in mercy."
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Rex Wilson has a DNA match with Terry Moore (Ancestry username tlmoore444), who claims to be descended from Thomas' daughter, Sarah. This is additional evidence that Thomas Ruggles is indeed an ancestor of Rex Wilson and Terry Moore.

Christen	1584	Sudbury, Suffolk, England
Marriage	1 Nov 1620	Nazeing, Essex, England - Mary Curtis
Will	9 Nov 1644
Death	15 Nov 1644	Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Burial	16 Nov 1644	Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Spouse	Mary Curtis (1586 - 1674)
Child	Thomas Ruggles ( - )
Child	Mary Ruggles ( - )
Child	John Ruggles ( - 1658)
Child	Sarah Ruggles (1627 - 1689)
Child	Capt. Samuel Ruggles (1629 - 1692)

Father	Thomas Ruggles (1558 - 1647)
Mother	Margery Dandridge (1562 - 1603)
Sibling	Mary Ruggles ( - 1634)
Sibling	John Ruggles (1599 - 1663)
Sibling	Samuel Ruggles ( - )
Sibling	Nathaniel Ruggles ( - )
Sibling	Florence Ruggles ( - 1603)

Notes