An American Family History

Thomas Blanchard was born about 1590 in England.

His first wife was named Elizabeth.

Thomas Blanchard (1625, married Anna Rolfe Gardner),
Samuel Blanchard (1629, married Mary Sweetster and Hannah Daggett),
Nathaniel Blanchard (1636, married Susannah Bates)

Elizabeth was buried on July 23, 1636.

In 1637, Thomas married Agnes Bent Barnes. Agnes was the daughter of Robert Bent and Agnes Gosling and the widow of Richard Barnes.

George Blanchard (1638, married Elizabeth),
Mary Blanchard (1639, died young).

In 1639 the Blanchards came to America on the ship, Jonathan. The family group included:
Thomas and Ann,
sons Thomas, Nathaniel, Samuel and George
Ann's son, Richard Barnes,
Ann's mother, Agnes Bent, and
Ann's niece, Elizabeth Plimpton.

Agnes Blanchard, Mary Blanchard, and Agnes Bent died on the voyage.

At first they settled in Braintree, Massachusetts, and then moved to Charlestown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Thomas Blanchard died on May 21, 1654 in Charlestown.

George Blanchard was born about 1638 in England. His father was Thomas Blanchard.

Joseph Blanchard (1654 married Hannah Shepard),
Elizabeth Blanchard (1661),
Thomas Blanchard (1661),
George Blanchard (1663, married Sarah Bassett),
Joshua Blanchard (1661 married Mehitable),
Abraham  Blanchard (1667),
Ruth Blanchard (1668),
Rachel Blanchard (1670),
Mary Blanchard (1672),
Nathaniel Blanchard (1673),
Abigail Blanchard (1673),
Bertha Blanchard (1675),
Sarah Blanchard (1677 ),
Hannah Blanchard (1681, married Thomas Shepard),
Jonathan Blanchard (1682).

I, Thomas Blanchard, of Charlestown, being weak in body, but through mercy in sound memory, do make this my last will and testament. 

Unto my wife, Mary Blanchard, and my son, Nathaniel, the use of the new end of my dwelling house, and the dairy house during the life of my wife; 

also, unto my wife, eight cows, whereof three or four are called and known by the name of her cows,

also I give unto my wife, free summer feed and winter store or food for the said eight cows, or so many other cows to be kept and provided for, by my Executors in all respects in matter of food among their own cows. 

I give unto my wife, fifty bushels of corn a year, during her life, to be paid by my Executors yearly, at of before the first of the 2d month, in wheat, rye, peas, barley, and Indian, in equal proportions; 

also, I give my wife one of the beds I now lie on, with all things appertaining there unto, as

also one third part of all other my household stuff (excepting the bedding) to be set out, or apportioned by my overseers. 

I give my wife, my old mare, the aforesaid cows, household stuff and mare to be her and her heirs forever. 

I do dispose and betrust Benjamin Tompson, unto and with my wife to provide for, and bring up in learning (at her own pleasure) so as to fit him for the University, in case his parents please to leave him with her, and she live to that time. 

I give unto my son, Samuel, besides all former gifts now in his hands,

the sum of four score pounds,

whereof thirty pounds to be paid in cattle, upon valuation of my overseers, at or before the first of the 9th month next after my decease,

and ten pounds in corn, at or before the first of the second month following,

and ten pounds a year, in cattle or corn, at or before the first of the tenth month, for the space of four years following. 

I give unto my sons George and Nathaniel, all my farm, housing and appurtenances after my decease, unto them and their heirs forever, excepting as before expressed, to the use of my wife. 

I give unto my grandchild Joseph Blanchard, my two teat heifer, to be kept for his use by my son George, his father. 

I give unto my Reverend and well beloved friend Mr. Mathews, one cow, and to the church of Malden one cow, and to Jno. Barrit 40s. 

I give unto my son Nathaniel, my colt to run with the dame until the first of the 10th month next;

also, I give unto Nathaniel, my six working oxen, but Buck and Spark to be none of the six,

and to George, my horse. 

All other my estate of what kind soever not before disposed of, I give unto my sons George and Nathaniel (my debts and funeral charges first discounted) who I do make joint executors unto this my last will and testament.

I appoint my well beloved friends, Mr. Edward Collins, and Mr. Joseph Hills my overseers, to whom as a remembrance of my love, I give 10s a piece, beside what my Executors shall allow for their pains on their occasions; whom

also I do appoint and empower to apportion the land and estate hereby disposed of as need shall be, and to settle all other things that may be of doubtful understanding, as to them shall seem just, and equal, for the establishment and preservation of peace, love and unity among all my relations. 

The mark of Thomas X Blanchard & seal.

In the presence of William Sargent, the mark of Jno. Barrett, Joseph Hills 

Memr: that we, Edward Collins and Joseph Hills, who took in brief notes from Thomas Blanchard's mouth the particulars expressed in this will, did understand the reservation of his wife's dwelling in the house, and provision for eight cows to be during the time of her widowhood and not otherwise: witness our hands this 22 3d month, 1654.
Joseph Hills,
Edward Collins

The Medford Historical Register, Volumes 6-7 by Medford Historical Society

Thomas Blanchard, the emigrant, came from Hampshire, England, in 1639. He lived in Braintree, Mass., from 1646 to 1651. In February, 1651, he bought of Rev. John Wilson, Jr., pastor of the church in Dorchester, a house and farm of two hundred acres in Charlestown, lying on the north side of Mystic river, and between Maiden river on the east, and the Cradock farm, or Medford line, on the west. This land is now known as "Wellington." The farm remained a part of the town of Charlestown until 1726, when it was annexed to Malden, but later set off to Medford.

Thomas Blanchard was married twice in England, and married a third wife, Mary, after coming to New England, his second wife having died on the passage over. Four of his sons came to this country. He died on his farm in Charlestown, May 21, 1654; his widow died at Noddle's Island, now East Boston, in 1676.

from Simon Crosby the Emigrant by Eleanor Francis (Davis) Crosby

Thomas Blanchard was born in England, and came to America in 1639 in the ship Jonathan, apparently from Penton, Hants, England. Otherwise, little is known of the family prior to their coming to this country. Thomas was married three times: first, to some one in England who is not known, and who died before he left there, and by whom all his four sons were born, viz., George, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Samuel.

His second wife was Agnes Bent (Barnes), the widow of one Barnes, who died on shipboard, and never reached America. For his third wife he married Mary, whose family name has been lost.

Thomas Blanchard settled in Charlestown, and in 1648 went to Braintree for a short while, returning to Charlestown about 1651, having bought a farm in the latter place, consisting of two hundred acres of land and some houses, from Rev. John Wilson and his son, in that part of Charlestown known as "South West of Mystic River," now called Malden. Thomas Blanchard died 21 May 1654. The appraisers of his estate reported:—

The house and land valued at £300.
The whole amount of inventory £642
Taken on the 25th of 4. mo. 1654 by us.
Joseph Hills,
Edward Collins.

 

The Medford Historical Register, Volumes 6-7 by Medford Historical Society

II. George Blanchard [son of Thomas Blanchard] had two wives and ten children; lived on one-half of the farm inherited from his father, and died there March 18, 1700, aged 84. His gravestone is in the Medford burying ground.

III. Joseph Blanchard, eldest son of George Blanchard, by his first wife, was born in 1654; married Hannah, daughter of Thomas Shepard of Charlestown, April 13, 1681. He had seven children, and died in Charlestown, on the "Blanchard Farm," October 24, 1694, aged 40. His gravestone is in the Medford burying ground.