An American Family History

Bridget Bradstreet was born about 1604 in England.

She married Humphrey Bradstreet in 1622 when she was about 18 years old. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Humphrey and Bridget Bradstreet. She became a widow in 1655. Humphrey provided for her in his will since she was not able to own property while she was married.

my farme on which I now dwell, with halfe the commons belonging to me from Ipswich, and all the commons to me from Rowley, shall be my beloved wifes, for the terme of her life, in case she doe not marry . . .[and] unto my wife Bridget one brown cow, one ew sheepe, one horse colt.

She died on November 16, 1665 in Ipwich, Essex County, Massachusetts. Her will was probated in September, 1666. John Kimball was appointed one of the executors of her will which was proved March 28, 1666. She left her most of her worldly goods to her daughters since her sons had inherited from their father.

Moses inherited her barn, musket (a long gun intended to be fired from the shoulder), large chest, chair, a kettle, a "bern" vessel, two "kelers", and a churn in addition to the 40 pounds he had already received.

Martha Kimball (Beale?) inherited the land that she already had, a green hood, a pewter dish, a book by John Norton, one sheet and one "pelober."

Mary Kemball inherited her old Bible, a cloth waistcoat (vest), a small reticule? (peticutes), a bolster, one pillow, one pewter dish, and one brass candlestick.

She gave Mary and Sarah Wallace her "steny." They were to both use them. They also received her beehive and they were to give the first swarm to their other two sisters.

Sarah received a book by Thomas Cobbet, a serge (strong twilled fabric) gown and cloak, a pewter dish, a skillet, her mother's bed, a bolster and pillow, and pillow form, a white rug, one iron pot, and one pintado? (chintz) petticoat.

Rebecca Bonfield received a black serge petticoat, shawl? (baring chulh), a pewter dish, and the two best iron pots.

Hannah's daughter Hannah Rolfe received her hat, wearing linen, a chest, one pair of sheets, a two year old cow, and a serge waistcoat.

Children of Humphrey and Bridget Bradstreet Hannah Bradstreet Rolfe Holt John Bradstreet Martha Bradstreet Beale Mary Bradstreet Kimball Captain Moses Bradstreet Sarah Bradstreet Wallis Rebecca Bradstreet Bonfield

A Puritan woman's clothing consisted of underpants, stockings, linen, shift, petticoat, chemise (underblouse), bolster (a padded roll tied around the hips under the skirt), bodice, skirt, apron, coif (cap), outer gown and shoes. A woman might wear a ruff or bow and an apron. Cloaks were worn instead of coats. Women carried a small cloth draw-string bag or reticule and perhaps wore a chatelaine.

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.

Pewter is an alloy composed mainly of tin, but can include lead. It was used for dishes and utensils. Some colonists suffered lead poisoning from using it. It dents easily and lasted about ten years. It was expensive and wooden dishes were used most often.

The ship Elizabeth sailed from Ipswich, England in April, 1634 with William Andrews, Master. On board were Richard and Ursula Kimball and their children, Ursula’s mother Martha Whatlock Scott and her brothers Roger and Thomas Scott. Humphrey and Bridget Bradstreet sailed on the same ship. They arrived in July at Boston.