b.c.1513 m.1. ? 2. 16 Oct. 1540 Newbury, Berkshire, Joan ______ 3. 16 Feb. 1545/6 Newbury, Joan Gayratt 4. 1553 Alice Busshe bur. 19 Aug. 1564 Newbury Will 8 Apr. 1561- 6 Oct. 1564
In his will, John left his property to William and John and mentioned Jane, Alice, Ellen, Margaret and Anne Millet.
St. Nicholas church- Newbury
The church of St. Nicholas was built by the local cloth merchants, in particular, Jack O'Newbury who built the first true factory in Britain, gave large sums to the church for its renovation.
The church was the site of the trial of the Newbury Martyrs in 1556. Three protestants were convicted of heresy during the reign of Bloody Mary and burned at the stake off the Enborne Road. They were not the first, for in 1518 Christopher Shoemaker was burned here for reading the Gospels in English to a disciple, John Say. At the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII there was a society of "secret favourers of God's Gospel" to the number of about 200 for about 15 years when they were betrayed and many of them "to the number of six or seven score" were arraigned, and three or four burned at the stake.
"In all the histories of English martyrs there is, perhaps, none more touching than that of Julins or Joscelyn Palmer, usually written "Julius." He had been a Romanist at Oxford, and full of the zeal which urged St. Paul to hold the garments of those who stoned Stephen, had been present at the burning of the Bishops at Oxford. The spectacle of their heroic deaths led him to enquire for himself. He was soon suspected of heresy, resigned his fellowship, and became Master of Reading Grammar School. The suspicions soon followed him ; he had to fly from Reading, and went to Ensham to see his mother. Here he found no rest; his mother cursed him for not believing as his father and she and all his forefathers had done, instead of "what was taught by the new law in King Edward's days, which is damnable heresy." "Faggots I have to burn thee," ended the old woman; "more thou gettest not from me." He departed blessing her, the tears trickling down his cheeks, whereat "she hurled an old angel [a gold coin worth between 6/8 and 10/] after him and said, "Take it to keep thee a true man." He then visited his friend Cope at Magdalen; went to Reading to get his arrears of salary; was there arrested, and sent with a bill of instructions to Dr. Jeffrey, who was holding a visitation for the Bishop of Salisbury at Newbury.
He was arraigned with two other brethren, Thomas Askew and John Gwin by name, in Newbury Church on the 15th July, 1556, before William Jeffrey or Geoffrey, D.C.L., Chancellor of Salisbury ; Sir Richard Bridges, Knight, of Great Shefford, Sheriff; Sir William Rainsford, John Winchcombe, son of Jack of Newbury, and Clement Burdett, rector of Englefield and Official Principal to the Bishop of Salisbury.
The indictment was for denying the Pope's supremacy, maintaining that the priest showeth up an idol at Mass, and other charges. At first, Palmer answered guardedly, offering to recant whatever in his teaching "will not stand with God's word," but it soon became clear to Palmer that recantation was required which he could never make. The Chancellor told Palmer that "he would wring peecavi out of his lying lips ere he had done with him," and the parson of Englefield called him "as forward an heretic as he had ever talked with." Rainsford appears to have taken no part in the trial, and Winchcombe acted very kindly. Sir Richard Bridges the Sheriff, who had throughout the examination been trying to.get fair play for Palmer, honours the youngster's courage, and for his part does not like the work he is about, and would gladly get out of it altogether. So after the first day's 'trial, the old Knight sends for Palmer to his lodgings, and in a friendly way exhorts him in the presence of divers persons to revoke his opinions, and spare his young years, wit, and learning:
"If thou wilt be conformable, and show thyself corrigible and repentant, in good faith I promise thee before this company I will give thee meat and drink, and books, and ten pounds yearly, so long as thou shalt dwell with me, and if thou shall set thy mind to marriage, I will procure thee a wife and a farm, and help to stuff and fit thy farm for thee. How sayest thou?"
"Books! meat and drink, and �10 a year! a wife and a farm ! these are good things," says the author of Tom Brown, "but there is one thing better, Sir Richard, even the truth of Almighty God." So Sir Richard, perceiving he would not retract:
"Well, Palmer," saith he, "then I perceive one of us twain shall be damned, for we be of two faiths, and certain I am that there is but one faith that leadeth to life and salvation."
"Sir, I hope we both shall be saved," answers Palmer. On the Sheriff asking "How that might be?" his prisoner answered, "Right well, sir, for as it hath pleased our merciful Saviour, according to the Gospel parable, to call me at the third hour of the day, even in my flowers, at the age of twenty-four years; even so I trust he hath called and will call you at the eleventh hour of this your old age, and give you everlasting life for your portion." "Sayest thou so," rejoined the Sheriff, "Well, Palmer, I would I might have thee but one month in my house, I doubt not but I would convert thee or thou should'st convert me." And now interposes the compassionate Winchcombe - "Take pity," said he "on thy golden years, and pleasant flowers of lusty youth, before it is too late." "Sir," was the young martyr's reply, "I long for those springing flowers that shall never fade away."
At the termination of the second day's examination, Dr. Jeffrey proceeded to deliver sentence of condemnation, and Palmer with his two fellow martyrs, were delivered to the secular authorities. About five o'clock in the evening, Sir Richard Bridges and the Bailiffs. of the town "with a great company of harnessed and weaponed men," conducted Palmer and his brethren to the fire.
"They put off their raiment and went to the stake, and kissed it; and when they were bound to the post, Palmer said, 'Good people, pray for us that we may persevere unto the end, and for Christ his sake beware of Popish teachers, for they deceive you.' As he spake this, a servant of one of the Bailiffs threw a faggot at his face, that the blood gushed out in divers places. For the which fact the Sheriff broke his head, that the blood likewise ran about his ears. When, the fire was kindled and began to take hold of their bodies, they lift their hands towards heaven, and quietly and cheerfully, as though they felt no smart, they cried, ' Lord Jesu, strengthen us ; Lord Jesu, assist us; Lord Jesu, receive our souls.' And so they continued, without any struggling, holding up their hands and knocking their hearts, and calling upon Jesu until they had ended their mortal lives.
The place where the martyrs were burnt was called the "Sandpits" in the Enbourn Road, but the exact spot is not known. It is, however, generally supposed to have been near the site of the pond near the Lamb Inn." (1)
Issue- first child by first wife, next four by Jane Gayratt, last two by Alice
Ref:
(1) A Popular History of Newbury in the Count of Berks- Walter Money, London, 1905- pp. 31-4
The Correct English Origin of Thomas Millett of Dorchester, Massachusetts- Paul Reed & Leslie Mahler- TAG- Vol. 75, No. 2, pp.81-93 (Apr. 2000) Parish Registers for Newbury
2I. WILLIAM (JOHN 1)
b.c. 1537 m. ALICE ______ d. before 18 Nov 1587 at Newbury, Berkshire
Issue-
3V. JOHN (JOHN 1, WILLIAM 2)
bpt. 10 Apr 1569 Newbury, Berkshire m. 2 July 1593 Newbury, ELEANOR PRITCHARD
4IV. THOMAS (JOHN 1, WILLIAM 2, JOHN 3)
bpt. 24 Oct. 1604 Newbury, Berkshire m. 1 May 1629 St. Saviour's, Southwark, London, MARY GREENAWAY (bpt. 6 Nov. 1605 Mildenhall, Wiltshire, d. 5 June 1682 Gloucester,MA) d. between 3 June & 18 Sept. 1675 Brookfield, MA
From the Merchant Taylors Co. is the following:
"2nd April 1621; Thomas Millett, son of Henry Millett the Elder, of Staple Inn, Holborn, London, Gentleman, bound to Robert Emery of Fetter Lane, for tenn years."(1)
"3rd Oct. 1631; Thomas Millett made free by his Master, Robert Emery."(2)
For many years this Thomas Millett was thought to be the ancestor of the Milletts from New England, however, from the article in TAG from Apr. 2000, Reed and Mahler definitively refute this parentage:
The will of "Ursula Curteis of Newberie in the Countie of Berks widow late wife of Nicholas Curteis esq...
Item I give and bequeath unto my Kinsman John Woolridge of Edington that maryed my auntient servant Elenor Millett Thertie pounds...
Item I given unto John Millett clerke Brother of the aforesaid Elienor Twentie nobles...
Item I give and bequeath unto my poor Kindred in Newberie, That is to say to Thomas Woolridge & The Children of the widow Gennings Eight pounds...
Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Millett of New England brother to my said auntient servant Elienor Millett, Five pounds...
Item I give all my bookes unto my said Lovinge Friend Dorothy Hawkins & to Elienor Millett equally to be devided betwixt them..." 28 Jan. 1643
No other Thomas Millett was living in New England in 1643 and Henry Millett of Chertsey didn't have any children named John or Eleanor. Also, having Thomas, son of Henry, marry Mary Greenaway in 1629, prior to his being released from his apprenticeship would be very unusual. It was excedingly rare for apprentices to marry. Also, Thomas of Newbury had an uncle Alphonse Millett who lived in Southwark and that would explain why he was living there.(31) Information on Henry of Chertsey and his ancestry is given at the end of this page.
A few years after his marriage on 13 Apr. 1635 Thomas and his family sailed from the Port of London: "In the Elizabeth de Lo: Wm Stagg Mr prd: theis under written names brought Certi: from the Minister of St. Saviors Southwark: of their conformitie. Tho: Millet 30, uxor Marie Millet 29, Ursula Greenoway 32, Henrie Ball 19, Josua Wheat 17, Jo: Smith 12, Ralph Chapman 20, Tho: Millet 2."(4) Mary's father John and his family had arrived in New England several years before.
Thomas first settled in Dorchester, MA where he and his wife joined the church soon after 23 Aug. 1636. On 17 May 1637 he became a freeman. From an undated record of the Elder Topliff is stated that "Mr Millet Town Records in part burnt in His House".(5)
In a division of land 2 Jan. 1637 "Thom: Millet 2 acres there... It is ordered that Mr. Blake, John Hull, Thom Millett shall have each of them 8 acres of planting ground in full of there great lotts at the side of the six acre lotts towards the Mill." A list of proportions each man was to have was made 18 Mar. 1637/8:
akers goads rodes akers goads rodes"
"Tho Millet... 2 3 4 2 3 4
On 13 Feb. 1638: "It is ordered that Willia Sumne shall have fower akers of upland next to Good: Hull, Mr Blake and Tho: Millet neere the 6 akers lot which was for so much Jo: Binga was to have to make up his great lott."(6)
"Brother Millet" is mentioned several times in a letter written 31 July 1639 by Israel Stoughton of Dorchester to Gov. John Winthrop.(7)
"Tho: Millet" is mentioned 12 Mar. 1641 in regard to some fencing and on 2 Feb. 1646 he signed a petition that certain persons be chosen to settle boundary questions. It was noted that "Thomas Millett" had "Rod 4, foot 0".(8)
On 7 Dec. 1646 William Blake Sr. of Dorchester sold to John Phillips of the same town his 8 acre lot which was between the lot of Richard Lees and the "one on the East sid which was once the lote of Thomas Millet".(9)
On 13 May 1646 Thomas and his father-in-law John Greenaway signed a Dorchester petition that no more Anabaptists be permitted to join the Colony.(10)
"I Timotheus Jones of Dorchester... for... nyne pounds... sold unto Thomas millet of the same Towne... planter... ground in Dorchester... also... more... land... together with my parte of the dwelling howse in Dorchester that late was my fathers... 7 Feb. 1650."(11)
After living 20 years in Dorchester Thomas moved to Gloucester where he became a Teaching Elder of the First Church. He purchased from William Perkins 4 Oct. 1650 who had been a Teaching Elder there all his property and also succeeded him in his religious offices: "I William Perkins of Topsfield in consideration of forty pounds... sell... Mr. Thomas Millet of Gloster... that tenement which I the sayd William was at the wrighting hereof possest of in the towne of Gloster... my dwelling house..."(12)
In March 1657: "William Vincent acquainted the court with the practise of William Browne in speaking disgracefully against Mr. Blinman, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Millet for the day before that William Browne frighted goodman Prince hee sayd mr. Blinman was naught and Perkins was starke naught and Millett was worse than Perkins." William Browne for divers miscarriages to lie in prison one week and be fined twenty marks and pay costs to Thomas Prince etc. Mary Millet testified in mother Babson's house as to what William Browne had said.(13)
In March 1658 Thomas complained against Mr. William Stephen for witholding a subscription list of the inhabitants of Gloster from the plaintiff for payment of his labors among them. The verdict was in favor of the plaintiff.(14)
"The free offer for the present maintenance of Brother Millet being faithfull to gitt an Ellder" follows the list with amounts and the various testimonies in regard to the case. Among them was that of William Vincent who testified that at a town meeting Mr. Stephens wrote several sums for Mr. Millet's maintenance and told Thomas that he had a very full and general call to Gloster to preach to them and that several times since Mr. Millet had been called and desired to continue his preaching, but never to the deponent's knowledge was anything noted in a public meeting to take him from one preaching until another, sworn 30 March 1658.(15)
In June 1659 the inhabitants of Gloster were ordered to meet in one place for religious services and Messrs. Millet and Steevens were to "exercise theire gifts for there idefication" one in the forenoon and one in the afternoon when both are there until Mr. Emerson shall settle among them.(16)
On 28 June 1659 Thomas served as a trial juror and on 29 Nov. 1659 he was a member of the Grand Jury. In Sept. 1660 William Benett and Thomas Millet, jurors were witnesses in a case.(17)
On 5 Nov. 1662 Ossman Dutch was ordered to pay the witness fees of Thomas Millet and in the following June he again served on the jury trials.(18)
In Nov. 1663 "the Clerk was ordered to issue a warrant to the selectmen of the town of Glocester for the raising of ten pounds for the use of Mr. Thomas Millett in consideration of his pains among them in the public ministry for one quarter of a year."(19)
From the land records it may be seen that Mr. Millett sold off his Dorchester lands in 1666 after acquiring in 1655 a house and land in Gloucester.(20)
"Know all Men by these presents that I Thomas Millet Senr of Glocester... sold... unto John Capen Senr of Dorchester... several pieces and parcels of Land lying in Dorchester aforesd viz. One lot of the late Division in the South Side of Neponsitt containing Sixteen and half and Twenty four Roods more or less lying in the Forty two Lot in which Lot Richard Baker have some Land Also being Bounded on the East with the Lot Which was the Widow Dickermans and on the West with the Lot of William Blake Senr the South End butting on Braintree Bounds and the North End in the Parrallell Line the which Land now lies within the Township of Milton Also I sell unto him my Lot on the North Side of Neponsitt of the late Division containing Nine Acres & Three Roods... lying in the Forty Eighty Lot in Common also with Richard Baker being bounded on the East Side with the Lot of George Dyer and on the West with the Lot of Richard Luces the North End butting on Roxbury Bounds and the South End on Neponsitt River Also a small parcel of Meadow about the Blue Hills containing three Quarters of an Acres & Twenty Rood being in the Three & Twentieth Lot at this Time in Common with Richard Collicot and William Daniel being bounded on the South West with the Lot of William Blake on the North East with the Lot of John Fennow the Northwest End butting on Naponsitt River and the South East End to the Upland Also I sell unto him... all my Common Rights in all the Lands undivided in Dorchester to the utmost Extent thereof... 4 June 1666."(21)
On 4 June 1668 Thomas testified that Elizabeth Fryars was deaf and many times was unable to attend meeting.(22)
In Jan. 1669 Thomas and Mary deposed that they could not prove that James Travis had moved the boundary mark between Travis' and Thomas Jr.'s land, yet they were "vehemently suspitious".(23)
Sometime between 1673 and June 1675 Thomas went to Brookfield where he and his wife were living 3 June 1675 when they consented to the sale of the house and land on Town Neck in Gloucester it having been sold by their son Nathaniel 9 Nov. 1674 to Francis Norwood.(24)
"Be it Known unto all men by these prsents yt I Nathaniel Millet of Glocester... upon ye account of a certain sum of money to me in hand pd by francis Norwood of ye same Town... Deliver unto ye said Francis all those my three prcells of Land ye one beinge a prcell of upland whereupon my house standeth. 9 Nov. 1674"
"I Thomas Millett Senr with my wife Mary Millet senr do consent to ye sale of this land specified in this bill wch I Bought of Thomas Verry of Gloceter from Broocksfield this 3d of June 1675."(25)
Thomas died between June and Sept. 1675. In Sept. 1675 the court files mention him as dying intestate with the administration of his estate being granted to the widow and relict Mary Millett and in Sept. 1676 the same appointment is repeated. It seems possible that he perished when Brookfield was destroyed during King Philip's War and may have been killed by the Indians.
"Administration upon the estate of Thomas Millett intestate was granted Sept. 26, 1676 to Mary Millett, relict of said Thomas."(26)
"Inventory of the estate of Tho. Millitt Sr. which he left in his wifes possession:
his hows & land & marsh & upland ( )to the hows ( ) £50/00/00 also 12 Akers of Upland upon the Iland 12/00/00 also 5 Akers of marsh at the Iland 32/00/00 also 4 Akers of marsh at the Cove 12/00/00 also on Cow 03/00/00 as also 10 Sheepe 03/00/00 also in waring Clothing 03/06/00 and lining 03/10/00 and in beding 00/17/00 in books 04/00/00 in a Deyt due in a litell tyme 01/00/15 in lumber in the hows 00/01/00 in a small remmant of Eresh Cloth 01/00/00 in Shepes woole .. .. .. __________
Gloster this 23 or 7th 1676 by us 128/01/00 William Vinson Ganes Stevens William Sargent
Mary Milet administratrix to the estate of her late husband Thomas Millet dit this inventory upon oath to be a true Inventory to the best of her knowledg and if more appeare to ad the same in court held at Ipswich the 26 of Sept: 1676."(27)
"I Mary Millett of Gloster... widdow And Administratrix to the estate of my loveing Husband Thomas Millett for... twelve pounds... payd... Have... delivered unto my loveing sonn Thomas Millett of the Towne aforesayd... salt marsh... upon Annasquam river... 31st March 1680... Mary Millett her marke."(28)
"The Agreement betweene Thomas Millet Nathaniel Millet Thomas Riggs Isaac Elwell & Sarah formerly the wife of John Millet late deceased conserning the dividing of the estate of Thomas Millet Sen. (their father amongst them) who dyed intestate is as followeth into five equal parts viz To Thomas Millet the eldest Sonne of Sayd Thomas Millet Sen: Twelve pounds To Nathaniel Millet twelve pounds. To Thomas Riggs twelve Pounds. To Issac Elwell Twelve Pounds. And Twelve pounds to the foure Children of John Millet & Sarah his wife abovesayd. And the sayd Sarah to have the use of it till the Children come of Age & then to be payd to them. And it is agreed betweene the Sayd Partyes that the sayd Sarah shall also have Twelve Pounds to her owne proper use & behoofe & to dispose of the same as she shall see meet. And this sayd twelve pounds it is alwayes to be understood & by these prsents declared is in full satisfaction for the tending of their Mother Mary Millet late deceased & for what their sayd Mother had of her both in refference to her Dyet & otherwise during the time of her looking to her both in sickness & health Also the sayd Sarah is upon the sayd account of tending their sayd Mother to have the use & profitts of the House & Land about it wherein She now dwelleth for this prsnt yeare Eighty two. And for the Remaynder of the estate abovesayd it is agreed amongst the sayd Partys that it Shall be for the Payment of the Debts of Sayd Thomas Millet Sen & Mary his wife. And for the full confirmation of this agreement the partys concerned abovesayd have hereunto set their Hands the twenty sixt of this Instant September Anno Dom. one thousand Six hundred & eighty two."(29)
"I Moris Smith of... Glocester... haveing received of Thomas Millett Junr of the same... three pounds... which money was payd be me to my Daughter in Law Elizabeth Millett which... was the full of what fell to her out of the Estate of mr Thomas Millett Senr who was her Grandfather... 20 May 1699."(30)
(1) Apprentice Book (2) Presentment Book (3) A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., pp.3-4 (4) Original Lists of Persons of Quality Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations- Hotten (5) A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., p. 7 (6) Dorchester Records (7) Winthrop Papers- Vol.I, pp.274-5 (8) Dorchester Records (9) Ibid (10) Massachusetts Archives (11) Suffolk Deeds- Vol.I, p.183 (12) Ipswich Deeds- Vol.2, p.17 (13) Essex Co. Court Records (14) Ibid (15) Ibid (16) Ibid (17) Ibid (18) Ibid (19) Ibid (20) A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., p. 9 (21) Suffolk Deeds- Vol.I, pp.50,76 (22) Essex Co. Court Records (23) Ibid (24) A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., pp. 9-10 (25) Essex Deeds- Vol.XV, p.1 (26) Ipswich Quarterly Court Records- Vol.V, p.282 (27) Essex Probate- Vol.III, pp.83-4 (28) Old Ipswich Deeds- Vol. IV, p.350 (29) Essex Probate- No.18484 (30) Essex Deeds- Vol.39, p.241 (31) The Correct English Origin of Thomas Millett of Dorchester, Massachusetts- Paul Reed & Leslie Mahler- TAG- Vol. 75, No. 2, pp.81-93 (Apr. 2000)
History of the Town of Gloucester- John J. Babson, pp.116-7 Ancestors & Descendants of Thomas Millett- George Francis Millet, pp.11-2 Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England- Savage, Vol.III, pp.212-3
5VIII. NATHANIEL (JOHN 1, WILLIAM 2, JOHN 3, THOMAS 4)
b. 1648 Dorchester, MA m. 3 May 1670 Gloucester, MA, ANN (2) LESTER (b.21 Mar. 1650, d. 19 Mar. 1717 Gloucester, MA) d. 9 Nov. 1719 Gloucester, MA
Nathaniel lived on the west side of the Annisquam River where the family had received grants of land before finally settling at Kettle Cove where in 1700 he and his son held land on the provision that it was not to be alienated from the family as long as any of them survived.(1) Nathaniel sold property to Francis Norwood in 1674 and in 1697 he exchanged land with his brother-in-law Thomas Riggs Sr. with Ann quitting her dower rights.(2) He sold some property in Gloucester to Col. John Wainwright of Ipswich in 1699 and in 1704 he fully resigned this property, consisting of a dwelling house, orchard, etc. to Col. Wainwright.(3) In 1706 Nathaniel sold a house and land in Gloucester to Josiah Taynor and in 1707 "Nathaniel Millet Senr of Glocester" and Ann sold property to his brother in law Morris Smith.(4) On 21 Feb. 1710/1 "Nathaniel Millet of Glocester, Husbandman" sold some land in Gloucester to his son Nathaniel Millett Jr. of Gloucseter, husbandman for £4.(5) He sold Nathaniel Jr. more land in Gloucester 4 Sept. 1716.(6) On 30 March 1718 he gave his daughters Abigail and Hannah land in Gloucester for "Natural love & parentall affection... as also for their dutifull Carage & Behaver towards me & to Encourage them that one of them may Constantly Continue with & to be helpfull to me taking Care of me."(7) On 6 Oct. 1719 "Nathaniel Millett Senr of Glocester... Yeoman only Surviving Son of Mr Thomas Millett late of Dorchester... for that Natural Love... which I... bear to my Eldest Son Thomas Millett of sd Gloucester" give to him all my rights to common land in Dorchester which was once the right of "my sd Father".(8) From these deeds it is clear that he divided his property before his death. He probably made other gifts of land to his sons Andrew and Nathan which were never recorded. There is no further settlement of his estate.
The Rev. T. Smith of Falmouth, ME said in his journal that Millett and one Ingersol were drownend at Precampscot by the damming of the ice, raising a head of water in the night while they were asleep.(9)
Issue- all born in Gloucester, MA
(1) A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., p.14 (2) Essex Deeds- Vol.XV, p.1; XIII, p.132 (3) Ibid- XIII, 172; XVI, 161 (4) Ibid- XIX, 64; XLI, 142 (5) Ibid- XXXV, 234 (6) Ibid- XXXVI, 221 (7) Ibid- XXVI, 180 (8) Suffolk Deeds- XXXIV, 93 (9) Ancestors & Descendants of Thomas Millett- George Francis Millet, p.4
Magnolia: A Brief History- Lisa Peek Ramos, The History Press, Charleston, SC, 2008- pp.24-5 History of the Town of Gloucester- John J. Babson, p.117 Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England- Savage, Vol.III, p.212
6VI. ANDREW (JOHN 1, WILLIAM 2, JOHN 3, THOMAS 4, NATHANIEL 5)
b. 6 July 1681 Gloucester, MA m. 8 May 1707 Gloucester, MA, BETHIAH (3) DAY (bpt. 10 Feb. 1683 Gloucester, MA) drowned 25 Mar. 1718 Gloucester, MA
A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., p.16 Ancestors & Descendants of Thomas Millett- George Francis Millet, pp.11-2 History of the Town of Gloucester- John J. Babson, p.117
1. JOHN-
John Millett, gentleman, lived near Leominster, Hereford.
A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., pp.1,3 Harleian Society Publication- Vol.43, p.174 Surrey Archeological Collection- Vol.8, p.363
2I. JOHN (JOHN 1)
b.c.1540 m. before 1568 AMICE d. of JOHN MARTIN (b. Binfield, Berk?)
3I. HENRY (JOHN 1, JOHN 2)
b.c.1568 Chertsey, Surrey m.1. c.1590 JOYCE daughter of JOHN CHAPMAN (bur. 30 Aug. 1628 Chertsey) 2. Bridget Goodwin (Adm. 22 June 1650 St. Marie in Hough, Kent) bur. 1 Jan. 1630/1 Chertsey, Surrey
Henry was a scrivener in Chertsey and was an overseer and witness to the wills and other legal documents for the local inhabitants. He then read for the law at Staple Inn one of the Inns of Chancery and now extinct. Later he served as clerk to one of the Chief Registrars of the Court of Common Pleas at Westminster and was a practising attorney at that court.
Henry held copyhold land in Chertsey from the Manor of Chertsey Beamond which was owned by the Crown. He appears as a tenant on the Court Rolls in the Public Record Office. Documents in possession of the family show his acquisition of land in Chertsey in 1600, 1602 and in 1615.
The Town Depositions of the Court of Chancery make many references to Henry and the various cases of his clients and neighbors. The first record in 1595 was signed "H. Lloyd alias Myllett scr." There is no explanation for the use of this double name although it was not uncommon for relationships or alliances to be remembered in this manner.
In 1623 Henry Myllett signed his pedigree for the Herald's Visitation of Surrey during one of their tours throughout England for the purpose of recording the names and arms of the noble and gentile families.
. Johes Myllet de = Amica, filia Johis Chertesey, in co. Martin, de Binfield, Surrey . in com: Berks. . ............
. Henricus Myllet, de = Jacosa, filia Johis Chertsey, in co: Surrey . Chapman, de Chertsey, et de Staple Inne, in . in com: Surrey. London, attornatus ad . legem Ao 1623 . .................................................................
Hen: Myllett"(1)
Henry made his will 22 July 1630:
"I Henry Myllett of Staple Inn in Holborne in the Suburbs of London thelder gen... I give to the poore of Chertsey in the County of Surr' where now I doe dwell Five shillings & to the poore of that pish where I shalbe buryed out of Chertsey aforesaid Five shillings... I give unto my sonne Henry Myllett the some of twenty shillinges... to my sonne Humfrey Millett my daughter Joyce Symonds my daughter Joane Stanbridge and to my daughter in lawe Elizabeth Godwynn my late sonne Robt Milletts wife every of them twelve pence a peece and to my sonne Thomas Millett Five pounds... and to my daughter Margarett Millett Five poundes... to my daughter Elizabeth Ball the wife of John Ball three pounds... I give unto Richard Symondes the younger one of my said grandchildren my testament with the Redd leather Covering. And I give unto Francis Baldwinn my now wifes grandchild two shillings and sixpence... to my nephew Mr Gabriell Weaver my written Allphabett of the scriptures... And whereas I am seized of the dwelling house and buildinges and backside wth thappurtenances now in the occupation of my said sonne Henry scituate in Chertsey aforesaid standing uppon the ground and place of a cottage and garden wch was Xtofer Symonds being coppihould of the Mannor of Chertsey Beamond... Therfore I doe will and devise the said dwelling house buildings and backside... unto my Executrixe... And, I doe nominate and appointe my Loveing wife Bridgett Millett to be sole Executrixe... And I doe nominate and appointe Mr William Faldoe now of London to bee overseer of this my last will and testament And for his paines I give him tenn Shillinges to buy him a pr of gloves over and besides his expenses the wch I will bee paid by my said Executrix."(2)
The administration of the goods of Bridget Millett of St. Marie in Hough, Kent was granted to George Baldwin her next of kin, 22 June 1650.(3)
Issue- all children by Joyce
(1) Harleian Society Publications- Vol.43, p.174; Surrey Archeological Collection- Vol.8, p.363 (2) A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family: c.1500-1934- G. Mil. 2665 at N.E.H.G.S., pp.3-4 (3) P.C.C.- Admin. Act Book 1650, f.100
Chertsey Parish Registers
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