An American Family History

Rebecca (Rebekah) Bradstreet Bonfield was born about 1639 in Ipswich (now Rowley), Essex County, Massachusetts. Her parents were Humphrey Bradstreet and Bridget Harris.

In 1655 she received 40 pounds from her father's will. She was 16 years old and chose Joseph Jewett as her guardian. Her mother was not made her guardian because in 17th century colonial America women did not have full civil rights.

She married, fisherman, George Bonfield (Bondfield, Bonfeild) on April 13, 1657 in Marblehead. George was born in 1638 in Marblehead where they made their home.

Their children were George Bonfield (1658), Martha Bonfield (1660), Mary Bonfield (1662), Jemima Bonfield (1666), Sarah Bonfield (1666) and Rebecca  Bonfield (1668). 

In 1666 Sarah inherited a black serge petticoat, shawl? (baring chulh), a pewter dish, and the two best iron pots from her grandmother, Bridget Harris Bradstreet.

In 1673 George and Rebecca were sued by for slander by her sister, Martha, and her husband.

She died on April 30, 1687 and George died in 1709. Rebecca was buried on the Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, Massachusetts with her son George.

HERE LYETH
Ye BODY OF
GEORGE BONFIELD
Ye SON OF GEORGE
BONFIELD SENIOR
AGED 19 YEARS
DIED JANUARY
Ye 3   1690/1

Court Held At Salem, September 9, 1673,

Judges: Mr. Samll. Simonds, Deputy Govr., Major Daniell Denison and Major Wm. Hathorne.

Wm. Beale and Martha, his wife v. George Bonfeild and Rebecka, his wife, in behalf of themselves and children. Slander. Withdrawn.

Writ: William Beale, and wife Martha v. George Bonfield, and wife Rebecka; slander, for themselves and their children maliciously raising and commonly reporting several pernicious and false slanders on him and Martha, his wife, on set purpose to provoke them; dated 17-9-1673; signed by Hilliard Veren't for the court; and served by Henry Skerry, marshal of Salem, by attachment of house and land of defendant.

The record of the Jewett family in America begins with the settlement of Rowley, Massachusetts. In 1638 about sixty families, led by Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, came from Yorkshire, England, and began the settlement of Rowley early the following season. Among these pioneers were the brothers, Maximilian [Jewett] and Joseph Jewett, men of substance from Bradford, Yorkshire, England. It is from Joseph that the Jewetts of Buffalo descend.

(I) Edward Jewett, of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, died 1615; married, 1604, Mary Taylor. Children: William, Maximilian, Joseph and Sarah.

(II) Joseph, son of Edward Jewett, was born in Bradford, England, December 31, 1609, died February 26, 1660. He came to America, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, December 1, 1638, accompanied by his brother Maximilian. He married Ann Allen, and had a son Joseph. (from Genealogical and Family History by William Richard Cutter)

This narrative has to deal chiefly with Joseph Jewett, the youngest brother of Maximilian, yet as the latter was the senior in years he naturally took a more leading part in the affairs of the town. He was made freeman in 1640, was an early deacon of the church, filled various town offices and several times was representative from Rowley to the general court. He brought with him from England his wife Ann, mother of all of his children, and who died in November, 1667. He married second, August 30. 1671. Widow Ellen Boynton. Maximilian Jewett died October 19. 1684. He had nine children.

(I) Joseph Jewett, younger of the two immigrant brothers who came from England in 1639. was born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, and was baptized December 31, 1609. He married there, October 1. 1634. Mary Mallinson, who was born in England and came with her husband and their first child to this country.

He was made freeman in Rowley May 2, 1639. and in 1643 had a two acre houselot on Bradford street in that town. His wife Mary was buried April 12, 1652, having borne him six children.

He married again, in Boston, May 13. 1653, Ann Allen, widow of Bozoan Allen, and by her had three children. He died in March, 1660-61. leaving a good property to his children, his eldest son, Jeremiah, receiving a double portion, according to the custom of the times. Joseph Jewett's children by wife Mary Mallinson:
1. Jeremiah [Jewett], born about 1637;
2. Sarah, married June 24, 1657, Captain Philip Nelson.
3. Hannah, born April 15, 1641 : married first, John Carleton; second. August 5. 1674, Christopher Babbage, of Salem.
4. Nehemiah, born February 6, 1643; married Exercise Pierce
5. Faith, twin, born March 5, 1645, died young.
6. Patience, twin, born March 5, 1645; married, in Lynn, May 29, 1666, Shubael Walker, of Bradford.
Children by wife Ann:
7. Mary, born February 4, 1654, died young.
8. Joseph, born February 1, 1656, married Ruth Wood.
9. Faith, married in Ipswich, May 20, 1678, John Pingry, of Ipswich.