An American Family History

Humphrey and Bridget Bradstreet were married in 1622 in Capel Saint Mary, Suffolk County, England.  

Their four oldest children were born in England. Hannah Bradstreet Rolfe Holt was born in 1625. John Bradstreet was born in 1631. Martha Bradstreet Beale was born in 1632. Mary Bradstreet Kimball was born in 1633. 

They immigrated to America in the ship Elizabeth in 1634 from Capel Saint Mary, Suffolk County.

They settled in Ipswich. Besides being given a town lot in Ipswich in 1635, Humphrey was also granted one hundred and thirty acres of outlying land, eighty of which were north of the North River also called Egypt, Rowley or Wharehouse) and fifty acres on the south side of the river. They were located on the southern border of Rowley and were

were associated almost wholly with Rowley, having their membership in the Rowley church, burying their dead in the Rowley cemetery, and training with the Rowley military company.

Captain Moses Bradstreet was born about 1636, Sarah Bradstreet Wallis was born in 1638 and Rebecca Bradstreet Bonfield was born about 1639. 

Several of their children had problems with the Puritan laws. John was accused of "familiarity with the devil" and Martha married at 16 and the marriage was annulled.

Humphrey died in 1655. He made his wife the exector of his will, Joseph Jewett was Rebecca's guardian.

Bridget died in 1665.

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.

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.