The Tilley Genealogy

Among our New England ancestors, we have a descent from the Mayflower passenger John Tilley (1571-1621), who was accompanied on the voyage to Plymouth, Massachusetts, by his wife Joan and daughter Elizabeth, along with his younger brother Edward and his wife Ann and two other Tilley relatives. John, Joan, Edward, and Ann were among the half of the colonists who died in Plymouth's first winter in early 1621. John Tilley and his ancestors were from the English village of Henlow in Bedfordshire, where these Tilleys are known to have lived at least since the 1400s. The surname of Tilley has two possible origins. Some Tilleys are so called because their ancestors lived at the village of Tilley in Shropshire, a placename that derived its name from the Anglo-Saxon Telgaleah ("Bough Wood" or "Bough Clearing"). But most Tilleys probably acquired the name because their ancestors were farmers who tilled the soil -- from the Anglo-Saxon verb tilian, "to till or cultivate," came the Middle English occupational title "tilie," a husbandman or farmer. For as long as our Tilleys appear on the historical record, they were farmers, later weavers.

In the past, the Mayflower Pilgrim John Tilley was misidentified as the John Tilley who was baptized 24 Feb. 1571, son of Lawrence and Bridget Tilley of Shipton in Shropshire. However, it was later found that the Shipton John Tilley was still living in England in 1631, 11 years after the Mayflower came to Massachusetts and a whole decade after the Pilgrim's death in Plymouth. The correct ancestry of John Tilley of the Mayflower is presented in Robert Leigh Ward's "English Ancestry of Seven Mayflower Passengers," in The American Genealogist, Vol. 52 (Oct. 1976), pages 198-205, the basis for the first five generations shown below. Another chief source for our Tilley genealogy is Susan E. Roser's Mayflower Increasings, 2nd. edition, 1996, page 110.

1. HENRY TILLY, a yeoman farmer of Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, born circa 1465 probably in Henlow. From his will, it is known that Henry's wife was named JOAN (NN), who was probably the mother of his two sons William and Thomas. Henry made his will at Henlow on 1 Sept. 1520 and he probably died within the next month or two. His will was proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Bedford on 4 Dec. 1520, when his elder son William, his executor, signed the will before the court.

The text of Henry's will (Archdeaconry of Bedford, 2:163) is as follows:

In the name of god amen. The yere of or lord ye [m]cccccxx the first day of the moneth of Septeber, I Henry Tilly of Henlow in the com. of Bed. in the dioc. of Lincoln hole of mynd and remembrance make my testament in this manr. First I bequeth my sowle to almyghty god or lady and all the company of hevyn my bodie to be buryyd in the church yard of Henlow. Item I bequeth my best good for my mortuary after the custome of the towne. Item I bequeth to the high aulter of Henlow ii busshellys barley. Also I bequeth to the bellys in the sayd church ii busshellys barley. Item I bequeth to the gild prest of or lady in the said church of Henlow i part f[ ]e to syng specially for me and my frends and generally for all the bretherne and sustunance of the same gild xxvii s. iiii d. if thir be none b[r]othered prest then an other honest prst to have the sayd part f[ ]e. Item I bequeth to the children of Thomas Tilly my Sonne ech of them the out see of a cow of x annas. Item I bequeth my place to Johan my wiff terme of her liff after the decease of her I bequeth it to Willm Tilly my sonne if they both consent to selle the sayd place I will that Thomas Tilly my sonne by it byfore any other payying asmoch as a nother man will. If William my sonne decease wthout Issue byfore the sayd place be sold then I will it to be sold and have a prest to pray for me and my frends whill the money lasteth. The Resedu of my goods my detts payd and all thyng done I bequeth them to Johan my wiff and Willm Tilly my sonne whome I make and order myy executors. Also I ordayn Thomas Tilly my sonne supervisor, provyn at Henlow the day and yere aforesyd. Witnes hereof Jhn Underwood, Willm March, Ser Albert, Bisshopp Wothen.

The known children of Henry and Joan Tilly were:

     --  WILLIAM TILLY, born circa 1490 at Henlow, England.
     2.  THOMAS TILLY, born circa 1495 at Henlow, England.

2. THOMAS TILLY, son of Henry and Joan Tilly, born circa 1495 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, died between 21 Aug. and 6 Oct. 1556 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. Thomas married circa 1515 probably in Henlow, England, to MARGARET (NN), born circa 1498 in England. Thomas and Margaret are known to have had a daughter and a son. Thomas made his will at Henlow on 21 Aug. 1556 and he probably died within the next month or two. His will was proved 6 Oct. 1556, showing he had died by that time. As did his father Henry in his will, Thomas makes common expressions of Catholic Christian piety and holy hope in his will, for the Catholic religion had been restored to England in those days, during the reign of Queen Mary I Tudor.

The text of Thomas' will (Archdeaconry of Bedford, 13:29 f.) is as follows:

In the name of god amen. the yere of or lord god 1556 & the xxith day of august. I Thomas Tylle of Henlowe in the county of Bedford being of hole mynd and memory p[rai]se be god mke this my last will and testament in manr and foame followinge.

First I bequeth my sowle to almighty god or Lord & saint marye and all the holly company of heaven and my bodye to be buried in the parish church yard of henlow beforesaid.

It. I bequeth to or mothers church of Lincoln of Lincoln [sic] iiii d. It. to the high aultr of henlowe iiii d. for tythes forgotten iiii d.

It. I gyve and bequeth to agnes my daughr ii bishels of barley & I give to every child that ye said agnes hath els half a bushell of barlye.

It. I gyve and bequeth unto Margaret my wyfe the huwse that I dwell in wth all Lands medowes and pastures and pfects thernto appertaynge remaine unto willm Tyle my sone and to ye heyres of ye said Willm for evr.

It. I will the said m'geret shall occupie the said land according to certeyn covenants made in writings betwixt me & the said Willm as yet unsealed. It. the rest of my goods moveabell my debts paid & the legacies conteyned in this my last will performed I give and bequeth unto Mrgeret mt wyfe during her naturall lyfe & aftd I will the said goods remain to Willm my sone the wch Mrgeret & Willm I order and make my faithfull executors for the true performing of this my last will & testament & Jhon Sayres supervisor.

Thes being wytnes desired by ye testator James tornr vicar there, John Deds, wth others.

The known children of Thomas and Margaret Tilly were:

     --  AGNES TILLY, born circa 1513 at Henlow, England, married (NN).
     3.  WILLIAM TILLY, born circa 1515 at Henlow, England.

3. WILLIAM TILLY, son of Thomas and Margaret Tilly, born circa 1515 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, buried 21 Jan. 1579 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. William, a husbandman (farmer) of Henlow, married circa 1534 probably in Henlow, England, to AGNES (NN), born circa 1519 in Bedfordshire, England, buried 7 June 1582 in Henlow, England. Some online family trees claim without evidence that William's wife Agnes was the same as Agnes (Bishops) Chandler, widow of Thomas Chandler (c.1500-1554) of Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England, a village about 20 miles away from Henlow. Be that as it may, William and Agnes Tilly had a son and three daughters. William made his will at Henlow on 1 Jan. 1579 and died soon after, being buried 21 Jan. 1579 in the churchyard at Henlow. His will was proved 28 Jan. 1579. The religious expressions in the will show that William had adopted Protestantism.

The text of William's will (Archdeaconry of Bedford, 19:86 f.) is as follows:

In the name of god amen.

The firste of Jannary Ano dm 1578: I Willyam Tylle of Henlowe in the countie of Beddforde husbandman, sicke of bodie but whole of minde, thanckes be unto god, doe ordain and make this my laste will and testament, in manner & fourme followinge:

Firste I committ my soule to allmighhtie god, and my bodie to be buried in the church yarde of Henlowe aforesaide:

Imprimis I give to Robert Tille my sonne, twoe bullockes, & to John his sonne, one bullocke:

Item I give unto Willyam Warde. my sonne in lawe. twoe bullockcs, one yearelinge, & an other twoe yeares oulde:

Item I give unto Willyam Sheffeilde my sonne in lawe, a cowe bullocke & a bullchime.

Item I will that Willyam Sheffeilde shall have his bargaine, in my lande from that time he beganne untill three yeares be expired:

Item I give unto every one of Robert Tylles children, twoe sheepe a peese & to him selfe fowet sheepe:

Item I give unto Agnes Warde two sheepe:

Item I give unto Willyam Sheffeildes children, twoe sheepe a peece, that is to saie John Willyam and Agnes:

Item I give unto Robert Tille my sonne six quarters of malte, and to his three children a quarter a peece:

Item I give unto Agnes Warde a quarter of malte:

Item I give unto Willyam Sheffeilde iii L vi s. viii d. of money, that he oweth me if god take me out of this worlde att this present time.

Item I give unto willyam Sheffeilde, one quarter of malte: I give unto Mary my daughter, one quarter of malte, allsoe Agnes my wife must have of Willyam Sheffeilde, my sonne in lawe every yeare, as longe as he houldes my lande, five acres of barley and five acres of pease, every yeare & my wife to finde seede to sowe it with all:

Item I give unto Richard Huckle, a quarter of barley, and to every one of his children, a bushel of pease.

Item I give unto John Waller & to Margaret Waller twoe bushells of barley a peece.

Item I give unto Agnes my wife all my howseholde:

Item I give to the repaire of Collington haven ii d.

Item I give to Agnes my wife tenn quarters of barley: Item I give to Robert Tille my sonne fower quarters of barley.

Item I give unto Willyam Warde a quarter of barley: Item I give unto Willyam Sheffeilde twoe quarters of barley:

Item I give unto Robert Tille my sonne, six bushels of pease, & halfe a quarter of bullymunge.

Item I give unto Willyam Sheffeilde a quarter of bullimunge:

Item I give unto Robert Tille my sonne one hogge:

Item I give unto Willyam Sheffeilde one hogge:

Item to Willyam warde one hogge and Agnes my wife to have twoe hogges and a sowe:

Item I give unto Mary Farr one sheepe:

Item I give unto willyam Huckle a sheepe and I will that all theise portions shall be anawered ymmediatly after my deathe:

Item I give unto Agnes my wife fower quarters of malte: the reste of my goodes moveables & unmoveables unbequethed I give unto Agnes my wife, & Robert my sonne, whome I make my sole executors of this my last will & testamente

written In the presence of Thomas Underwood, Willyam Elbornie, Thomas Younge, Charles Browne.

William's widow Agnes survived him by 13 years, dying as "an old woman" according to Henlow burial records. She made her will at Henlow on 1 June 1582 and died soon after, being buried on 7 June 1582 in Henlow. The text of her will (Archdeaconry of Bedford 20:80f.), which was proved 13 July 1582, is as follows:

In the name of god Amen: The firste daie of June in the yeare of our lorde god 1582: I Agnes Tylle of Henlowe, in the countie of Bedforde widowe being sicke in bodie, butt of good & perfecte remembrance, thancke be given to god, doe ordaine & make this my testament and laste will, in manner followinge:

First & principally I bequesthe my soule, into the handes of allmightie god my maker and redeemer, and my bodie, to be buried in the churchyearde of henlowe aforesaide:

Item I give to Tho: Younge my sonne in lawe, one cowe, one hogge, the greatest kettle, the newe coverlett, that I laste boughte, one pillowe, with the pillowe beare, one paire of sheetes, & a peticoate, the greatest cheste save one, the greatyest posenett, & one sheepe and a lambe:

Item I give to agnes Warde, the daughter of Willyam Warde, a coffer paineted with redd, a little rownde table a pillowe with the pillowe beare, & one quarter of barley:

Item I give to Richard Huckle my sonne in lawe and my daughter Elizabeth his wife, one frocke, the youngest cowe, that I laste boughte, one mattrice and the coverlett of Darimpe, wch commonly lyeth on my bedd, my cupboarde & cupboard clothe, one ewe, one paire of sheetes, and a boultinge tubbe, the brewing kettle and the least bosenett, the benche boarde, one sheete & a platter, twoe bushells of barley and ii s. on currant money of Englande:

Item I give to Willyam Sheffeilde my sonne in lawe and Alice his wife the youngest cowe beinge blacke, my featherbedd, and coverlett, of cleane wolle of tapristry worke, one boulster twoe round pannes, one peticoate, one paire of sheete the greatest cheste, the morter and the saltinge troffe.

Item I give to John Harwood one sheete one bushell of barley my working daie peticoate, and my fustian waisecoate and one smocke:

Item I give to Robert Sam, my late servant, the ould coverlett, that useth to lye on my bedd.

Item I give to Willyam Poulter of Hitchme x s, of currant money of Englande:

Item I give to Robert Porye of Henlowe one good sheepe:

Item I give to my sonne Robert Tille & John Tille his sonne vi s. viii d. the peece:

Item I give to George Tille, Rose Tille and Agnes Tile, Robert Tilley children, the elldest of my black kyne, to be soulde, & to be equally divided betweene them, and the next calfe of the saide cowe when god shall send it. I will it to be given to Mary Farre my sonne Robert Tilles Wifes daughter:

Item I give to the church of Henlowe aforesaid xii d. and to Collington haven ii d.

Item I give more to Richard Huckle my saide sonne in lawe xx s. of currant money of Englande, and one acre of my pease, & one acre of my barley if the same be sowed in the feildes att the daye of my decease or else to have his parte in so much as shall be sowen accordinge to the rate of one parte, in three partes in all the saide pease & barley, wch to my parte belongethe.

Item the rest of my pease & Barley and the deptes to my owing, as all other my goodes & cattells hearein unbequeathed, I give them to Thomas Younge & Willyam Shefeilde my saide sonnes in lawe, equally to be devided betweene them, whome allsoe the same Thomas Younge & Willyam Sheffeilde I make my executors to this my testament & laste will, they to see my debtes paide, theise my legacies fullfilled, & my funerall expence dischardged:

Item I ordaine for supervisors heareof John Rushe yeoman, my trustie freinde, for whose paines thearein to be taken, I give vi s. viii d.

Item my will is that theise my aforenamed giftes, legacies & bequestes to be paide & perfourmed ymmediatly after my decease except the money wch hearin I have bequesthed, I will it to be given within nine monethes after my decease. Witnesses Antony Coxe, Tho: Farre, Anne Britton, Robt Pory.

Of the children and William and Agnes Tilly named in their respective wills, it is noteworthy that Elizabeth Huckle is in the will of William Tilly's widow Agnes as a daughter of Agnes, but William only names Elizabeth's husband Richard Huckle, not Elizabeth herself. This could mean that Elizabeth was born to Agnes of a prior marriage, and thus was a step-daughter of William Tilly. However, that may not be the case at all. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, Elizabeth is presumed to be a daughter of William Tilly.

The children of William and Agnes Tilly were:

     --  ELIZABETH TILLEY, born circa 1535 probably at Henlow, England, married Richard Huckle.
     4.  ROBERT TILLEY, born circa 1540 at Henlow, England.
     --  AGNES TILLEY, born circa 1543 at Henlow, England, married William Warde.
     --  ALICE TILLEY, born circa 1550 at Henlow, England, died 1644 at Henlow, England, married William Sheffield.

4. ROBERT TILLEY, son of William and Agnes Tilly, born circa 1540 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, buried 12 Feb. 1613 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. Robert, a yeoman of Henlow, married circa 1565-70 probably in Henlow, England, to ELIZABETH [ELBORNE?], born circa 1544 in Henlow, England, buried 27 March 1614 in Henlow, England, possibly daughter of William and Rose Elborne of Henlow. Robert and Elizabeth had four sons and four daughters -- two of their sons, John and Edward (Edmund), were Mayflower passengers. Robert's wife Elizabeth had been previously married to a man surnamed Farr, by whom she had a daughter named Mary Farr, named in the wills of both of Robert's parents. Robert made his will at Henlow on 31 Dec. 1612 and died about a month later, being buried 12 Feb. 1613 in the churchyard at Henlow. His will was proved 6 April 1613.

The text of Robert's will (Archdeaconry of Bedford 30:73 f.) is as follows:

In the name of god Amen: I Robert Tilley of Henlowe in the countie of Bedd: yeoman sicke in bodie but whole and of good and perfect remembrance, thankes be given to god therefore, doe this 31th daie of December Ano 1612 renounce and revoake all former willes by me hearebefore made, and doe nowe make and ordaine, this my laste will and testament in manner and forme followinge that is to saie:

First I bequesthe my soule to allmightie god my maker, and to Jesus Christe his sonne my reedemer, by whose deathe and passion I hope to be saved and my bodie to be buried att the discretion of my executrix:

secondlie I give and bequeathe unto Elizabeth nowe my wife, for and duringe her naturall life, my free house whearein I dwell, with the backe side, ortchards, and garden. with the appurtenances theareunto belonginge with a little stripe or platte of grounde, whearon sometimes did stande a barne, wch Willyam Tilley purchased of one Richard Huckle as by a deede thereof made betweene them appeareth and froam and after her deathe, I will and bequeathe the saide freehouse, with the ortcharde, garden, and all other the premisses aforesaide, withe the appurtenances to my sonne John Tilleye; to have and to holde to him and his heires for ever, with and uppon this Condition nevertheless viz.: that he my saide sonne John shall within six monethes next after the decease of me the saide Robert, and Elizabeth nowe my wife, paie unto my sonne Edward Tilley his brother, his executors or assignes, the some of thirtie poundes of lawfull englishe money: and if my saide sonne John shall make defaulte of payment of the saide thirtie poundes and nott paie the some unto my sonne Edward Tilley his executors or assignes, att or before the time aforesaide, then my will and minde is, and I doe hearebie give and bequeathe the saide freehouse and other the premisses aforesaide with the appurtenances unto my said sonne Edwarde, and his heires for ever: Item I doe moreover give and bequeath to my saide sonne Edwarde, the some of fortie and nine poundes of lawfull englishe money wch si to be paide unto me by my saide sonne John att such daies and place as by the bondes thereofe appeareth togeather with the saide bondes of obligations themselves nowe remaynine, in my own custodie, the wch my will is, my executrix shall presentlie deliver unto him my saide sonne Edward, after my deathe and suffer him to see the same in her name, if defaulte of payment be made of the saide money att the tyme specified in the saide bondes or obligations:

allsoe I give unto my saide sonne Edwarde, the lyned beddsteede in the outermoste chamber, and the lyned cheste, standinge in the same chamber, I give to my sonne William Tilley, bothe wch bedsteede & sheste are to be delivered unto them severallie, after my wifes decease, unless she shallthincke good to lett them have the same before:

Item I give to my daughter Rose x s. and to everie one of her children a sheepe:

Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth x s. and to everie one of her children a sheepe:

Item I give to everie one of my sonne Johns children a sheepe: All the rest and residewe of my goodes cattell and chattells whatsoever unbequeathed, my debtes paide and my funerall expences dischardged, I give and bequeathe to Elizabethe my wife, whome I doe make and appointe my sole executrix of this my laste will and testament, and I doe make and appointe my lovinge frende Mr. Richarde Edwardes of Henlowe aforesaide gent. to be my overseer of this my will intreatinge him to aide and assiste my saide executrix, with his councel and advise in the due execution heareof to whome I give x s. as a token of my love and goodwill unto him:

In witnes whearof I have heareunto sett my hande and seale, the daie and yeare first above written.

Witnesses John Willisone, Edmonde Master, Leonard Bonefeilde, George Edwardes.

The children of Robert and Elizabeth Tilley were:

     5.  JOHN TILLEY, baptised 19 Dec. 1571 at Henlow, England.
     --  ROSE TILLEY, baptised 8 May 1574 at Henlow, England, died 1621 in England, married John Goods.
     --  GEORGE TILLEY, baptised 28 Jan. 1576 at Henlow, England, died before 31 Dec. 1612 probably in Henlow, England.
     --  AGNES TILLEY, baptised 6 March 1579 at Henlow, England, died before 31 Dec. 1612 probably in Henlow, England.
     --  ELIZABETH TILLEY, baptised 26 Jan. 1582 at Henlow, England, buried 20 Feb. 1625 in Henlow, England, married Richard Austin.
     --  WILLIAM TILLEY, baptised 1 Sept. 1585 at Henlow, England, buried 18 Jan. 1625 in Henlow, England, married Elizabeth Peppitt.
     --  EDWARD TILLEY ("Edmund"), baptised 27 May 1588 at Henlow, England, died between 11 Jan. and 10 April 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, married Agnes Cooper ("Ann").
     --  ALICE TILLEY, baptised 28 Feb. 1590 at Henlow, England, buried 29 July 1597 at Henlow, England.

5. JOHN TILLEY, son of Robert and Elizabeth Tilley, baptised 19 Dec. 1571 at Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, died between 11 Jan. and 10 April 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, buried on Coles Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts. The baptism of "John, s. Robert Tillye" is recorded in the Henlow Parish Register and Bishop's Transcripts. John is named in both the 1 Jan. 1579 will of his grandfather William and the 31 Dec. 1612 will of his father Robert. According to George F. Willison's Saints and Strangers (1945), page 439, prior to boarding the Mayflower John Tilley was a silk worker in London, though that is uncertain. Likewise, Elizabeth Pearson White's John Howland of the Mayflower: The First Five Generations (Rockland, Maine: Picton Press, 1990-2008) 1:3 refers to him as "a silk-weaver named John Tilley." On 20 Sept. 1596 in Henlow, England, John married JOAN HURST ROGERS, widow of Thomas Rogers, baptised 13 March 1568 at Henlow, England, died between 11 Jan. and 10 April 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, daughter of William and Rose Hurst. The marriage of "John Tyly & Joan Rogers" is recorded in the Henlow Parish Register and Bishop's Transcripts, as are the baptisms of John and Joan's three daughters and two sons. Joan had also had a daughter from her late husband Thomas. In "Of Plimoth Plantation" by Gov. William Bradford, the Mayflower passenger list includes "John Tilley and his wife, and Elizabeth their daughter." John's younger brother Edward and his wife Agnes also came to Plymouth on the Mayflower. John and Joan's two older sons and daughters remained in England and left descendants there. Sadly, John and Joan, as well as Edward and Agnes, died during Plymouth Colony's first terrible winter, as did about half the colonists.

John and Joan Tilley's children were:

     --  ROSE TILLEY, baptised 23 Oct. 1597 at Henlow, England, buried 28 Feb. 1601 at Henlow, England.
     --  JOHN TILLEY, baptised 26 Aug. 1599 at Henlow, England.
     --  ROSE TILLEY, baptised 28 Feb. 1602 at Henlow, England.
     --  ROBERT TILLEY, baptised 25 Nov. 1604 at Henlow, England, married Mary Hawkins.
     6.  ELIZABETH TILLEY, baptised 30 Aug. 1607 at Henlow, England.

6. ELIZABETH TILLEY, daughter of John and Joan Tilley, baptised 30 Aug. 1607 at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Henlow, Bedfordshire, England, died 23 Dec. 1687 in Swansea, Massachusetts. Elizabeth was the youngest of her parents' five children. At the age of 13 she accompanied her parents aboard the Mayflower in 1620, but she was orphaned at the age of 14 when both her parents, as well as her aunt and uncle, died during the Pilgrims' first bitter winter in Plymouth, Massachusetts, when half of the colonists perished from January to April 1621. On or about 25 March 1623 by the Julian calendar (4 April 1624 Gregorian), Elizabeth married in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to her fellow Mayflower passenger JOHN HOWLAND, born circa 1598 in Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire, England (near Newport in County Essex), died 23 Feb. 1673 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, buried 25 Feb. 1673 on Burial Hill in Plymouth, son of Henry and Margaret Howland. God blessed Elizabeth and her children with a prolific progeny, such that it is estimated that one in four citizens of the United States today is her descendant. Elizabeth and John Howland had six daughters and four sons.

John Howland made his will at Plymouth on 29 May 1672 and died the following year on 23 Feb. 1673. An inventory of his estate was taken 3 March 1673. In his will, John bequeathed "unto my Deare and loveing wife Elizabeth Howland the use and benifitt of my now Dwelling house in Rockey nooke in the Township of Plymouth aforsaid, with the outhousing lands, That is uplands uplands and meadow lands and all appurtenances and privilidges therunto belonging in the Towne of Plymouth and all other Lands housing and meddowes that I have in the said Towne of Plymouth excepting what meadow and upland I have before given To my sonnes Jabez and Isacke howland During her naturall life to Injoy make use of and Improve for her benifitt and Comfort."

After John's death, Elizabeth went to live with her son Jabez in Plymouth, remaining there until Jabez's house was sold in 1680. She then went to live with her daughter Lydia and son-in-law James Brown in Swansea, Massachusetts (now a part of East Providence, Rhode Island). There she died on 21 Dec. 1687, and was buried at Little Neck Cemetery, Swansea (East Providence). Elizabeth had made her will on 17 Dec. 1686, in which she said she was 79 years old -- a statement that matches the date of her baptism recorded in 1607 in Henlow, England.

The children of Elizabeth and John Howland were:

     --  DESIRE HOWLAND, born circa 1625 probably in Plymouth, Massachusetts, died 13 Oct. 1683 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, married John Gorham.
     --  JOHN HOWLAND, born 24 April 1627 probably in Plymouth, Massachusetts, married Mary Lee.
     --  HOPE HOWLAND, born 30 Aug. 1629 probably in Plymouth, Massachusetts, died 8 Jan. 1684 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, married John Chipman.
     --  ELIZABETH HOWLAND, born circa 1631 possibly in Maine.
     --  LYDIA HOWLAND, born circa 1633 possibly in Maine, married James Brown.
     --  HANNAH HOWLAND, born circa 1637 possibly in Maine, married Jonathan Bosworth.
     --  JOSEPH HOWLAND, born circa 1640 in Rocky Nook (Kingston), Massachusetts, died Jan. 1704 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, married Elizabeth Southworth.
     --  JABEZ HOWLAND, born circa 1644 in Rocky Nook (Kingston), Massachusetts, married Bethiah Thacher.
     --  RUTH HOWLAND, born circa 1646 in Rocky Nook (Kingston), Massachusetts, married Thomas Cushman.
     --  ISAAC HOWLAND, born 15 Nov. 1649 in Rocky Nook (Kingston), Massachusetts, died 9 March 1724 in Middleboro, Massachusetts, married Elizabeth Vaughn.

Tilley Genealogy Resources:

Robert Tilley Find-A-Grave Memorial
Elizabeth "Ellenbourne" Tilley Find-A-Grave Memorial
John Tilley Find-A-Grave Memorial
We Relate: John Tilley
Mayflower History: John Tilley
Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland Find-A-Grave Memorial
We Relate: Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland
Visit East Anglia: Henlow Village
St. Mary the Virgin Church, Henlow
Parishes: Henlow
GEN-UK-I: Henlow

Return to Website Index