John WILLIAMS

                   The Genealogical Society of Utah in the early/mid 1900's said: There are no records in Wales at the time of John Williams, only 50 years after his birth. they were confident that he was from Wales, as the name originated from mens given names. Such names are from Wales.

John Williams was born in England or Wales about 1600. Among the early settler in America, about 1633, came a colony from newbury, England. They came to MASS, selecting a charming site on the south band of the Merrimac River, which the colonists were pleased to name after their old home. In the list of recorded first settlers is found one John Williams, with his wife, son and daughter. Where he was born or what ship brought him and his household goods it is not known. The frequent recurrence of the name is a great obstacle to finding the correct one. There is a family tradition which asserts that he came from Glamorganshire, Wales.

As a rule, the settlers banded together in accordance with the districts or the general neighborhoods where they originated. Whenever a company organized in England had set out for a given locality, it would keep together in a measure when it reached this side of the ocean. Certain men whose names are found on records with John Williams about this date are: Rev. Thomas Parker, the first pastor of Newbury; Rev. James Noyes, nephew of Thomas Parker; Richard Littledale; William White; all settlers of Newbury; John Ayer(could this be his son-in-law??? SG); Thomas Whittier, ancestor of the poet, - they settled in Salisbury; but it is supposed that they all came about the same time, and all appear to have lived previously in the southern part of England.

According to the statement in the "Sewell Papers", which refers to this particular party of emigrants, viz. the settlers of Newbury, MA. "Men of means, dissatisfied with the state of affairs in their native England, favored the exodus of their sons to America, and assisted them with the money for that purpose. It is even stated that houses in such towns as Newbury were owned by English proprietors, who received rental there from."

The sojourn of John Williams in Newbury was not associated with any event of record until 1640, when he appears as petitioner to found a new town. To do that he must have been a man of some mark and substance, and of character equal to those with whom he associated. A beautiful site was chosen on the opposite bank of the Merrimac River, some six of seven miles further up the stream and almost twelve miles from the sea. This spot they named Haverhill after the English town from which its projector came. Here is 1643, John Williams was admitted freeman, that is, he was made an acknowledged citizen of the place, was a member of the church, had a full right to vote on any and all question, and had taken an oath of fidelity and allegience. In 1643, according to a town vote the valuation of his property was put at eighty pounds, which compares favorably with that of the 31 Land owners. Every stock holder who emigrated at his expense was to receive fifty acres for each member of his family; and every fifty pounds contributed to the company's stock entitled the stockholder to to hundred acres of land. In the 4th division of land, 14 Oct 1659, John Williams drew the 4th lot. In 1667 he again received a share of the distribution of some lands belonging to the town, which confirms the statement that he was one of the original proprietors, and to be such must bave been in possession of means brought from the old country.

John Williams passed the residue of his days in Haverhill. His will dated 9 Dec 1670, probabated 18 May 1674, mentions his children, John, Joseph, Sarah, Mary and Lydia, and a grandchild Sarah, the daughter of Sarah.