Charlestown was first settled in 1628 and was the Massachusetts Bay Colony's initial seat of government. Charlestown became part of Boston in 1874.
Childbirth was was perilous. Around 1.5 percent of births ended in the mother's death. Since women gave birth to many children, chances of dying in childbirth were quite high.
Nathaniel Davis was born in 1642 in Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. His parents were Barnabas Davis and Patience James. He was a glazier and a sawyer. A glazier works with glass and a sawyer cuts wood.
He married his first wife, Mary Converse, on March 31, 1675 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Mary was born December 29, 1656 and was the daughter of James Converse and Anna Long.
Nathaniel and Mary's children included:
Nathaniel Davis (1676, died at 4 months),
Mary Davis (1680),
Barnabas Davis (1681, died at 8 months),
Sarah Davis Scamon (1683, married Thomas Scamon), and
Josiah Davis (died as an infant).
In 1685, his father left him a half house and the land which he had bought from N. Smith.
His wife, Mary, died in 1690. She probably died in childbirth when Josiah was born
He married his second wife, Mary Edmunds on July 15, 1692 in Charlestown. They were married by Captain Joseph Lynde. She was the daughter of Joshua
Edmunds and and Elizabeth Palgrave.
Their children included:
Simon Davis (1693, died 16 months),
Mary Davis (1694/95, died 3 months), and
Elizabeth Davis (1697/98).
Mary White Rowlandson,Talcot
was captured by Native Americans
during King Philip's War
(1675-1676).
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Middlesex County, Massachusetts was created on May 10, 1643. The county originally included Charlestown, Cambridge, Watertown, Sudbury, Concord, Woburn, Medford, Wayland, and Reading.
In 1688, during the Glorious Revolution, the Protestant king and queen,William and Mary, took the English throne from Catholic King James II. The bloodless revolution profoundly impacted the American colonies.
King Philip’s War was a bloody and costly series of raids and skirmishes in 1675 and 1676 between the Native American people and the colonials. King Philip was the Native American leader Metacom.
Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts: With a History of Worcester Society of Antiquity, by Ellery Bicknell Crane, published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907
Lieutenant James Converse, son of Deacon Edward Converse (18), was born in England, 1620. died May 10, 1715. He was a deputy to the general court in 1679-83-84-85-86-89. He was an officer in King Philip's war. He had a long and honorable military record. He was appointed sergeant in 1658, promoted to ensign 1672, to lieutenant in 1688, serving until his death, May m, 1715, a period altogether of about sixty years.
He married October 24, 1643, Anna Long, born 1625, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Long. She died August 16. 1691. He married (second), 1692, Anna (Sparhawk) Cooper, widow [sic should be daughter] of Deacon Nathaniel Sparhawk, of Cambridge, widow of Deacon John Cooper.
His children were:
Anna, born July 15, 1644, died January 30, 1645;
Jane, November 16, 1645, died July 8, 1706;
Deborah, July 25, 1647, married, July 1, 1663,
John Peirce;
Sarah, April 21, 1640;
Rebecca, May I, 1651, married Enoch More;
Lydia, March 8, 1653, died May 20, 1655;
Edward, February 27, 1655, married Sarah Stone; Mary, December 29, 1656, married Nathaniel Davis:
Abigail, October 13, 1658, married Jonathan Kettell;
Ruth, February 12, 1661, married Philemon Dean.
Deacons played a respected and important role in early New England churches. They sat in a raised pew near the pulpit and had special duties during communion.
King Charles I ruled England from
March 27,
1625 to 1649.
