“Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Essex County, Massachusetts was created on May 10, 1643 by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when it ordered "that the whole plantation within this jurisdiction be divided into four sheires."
Martha Whatlock Scott was baptized on June 18, 1568 in Rattlesden, Suffolk County, England. Her parents were Thomas and Joan Whatlock.
She married Henry Scott on July 25, 1594. Their children and life together in Ipswich, Massachusetts is described in the section on Henry and Martha Scott.
She became a widow in 1624. Under the terms of her husband's will, she inherited the house they lived in for the term of her life. After that it would go to her son Roger.
In 1634 she went to American with her family. At that time she was a 60 year old widow.
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.
During the 17th and 18th centuries an adult unmarried woman was considered to have the legal status of feme sole, while a married woman had the status of feme covert. A feme sole could own property and sign contracts. A feme covert was not recognized as having legal rights and obligations distinct from those of her husband and could not own any property. When a woman became a widow she became a feme sole again.
The town of Ipswich was established on August 5, 1634, from common land called Agawam. On October 18, 1648, that portion called the "Village" at the New Meadows was set off as Topsfield. The boundary line between Ipswich and Topsfield was established, February 28, 1694.
