|
856. Robert DURFEE was born 10 Mar 1665 in Portsmouth, Newport Co., Rhode Island. He died 10 May 1718 in Freetown, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Robert married Mary SANFORD on 1687 in Portsmouth, Newport Co., Rhode Island. [Parents]
THE DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS DURFEE OF PORTSMOUTH, RI, by Wm. F. Reed, Vol. I, Washington , DC, Gibson Bros., Printers & Bookbinders, 1902, page 19 & 20.
Robert Durfee settled in Freetown, Mass., on a tract of land which his father purchased of William Brewster and John Rogers for 65 pounds, as it appears by deed May 29, 1779, one-half of tenth lot of Freeman's purchase. He was the first settler by the name of Durfee in Freetown, Mass. (later Fall River). The records of Portsmouth, RI, August 20, 1692, show as follows; Robert Durfee of Freetown, in the county of Bristol, New England, bought of John Sanford (who states that Robert is his brother-in-law) 20 acres, more or less, call "Sanfords land," in Portsmouth, for 60 pounds.
The Records of Portsmouth also show taht on February 6, 1698, Robert Durfvee, of Freetown, Mass., bought 35 acres of land, near Taunton river, of Peleg Shearman and Daniel Wilbur.
On November 1, 1700, Mr. Durfee was chosen, with other persons, to settle the question of a boundary line between Freetown and Tiverton.
In the early records of Freetown he is often mentioned.
On page 222, of Vol. 20, NE Historical & Genealogical Register of 1866, is the following statement:
"Robert Durfee was a lieutenant of militia, a Selectman of Freetown 4 years, assessor 4 years. Town clerk 1 year. Representative to General Court 1716. He was buried on a hill near Taunton river, at a place called 'Gages Banks,' and when the Fall River Rail Road was buril (136 years after) his remains were disinterred and removed to the easterly side of the highway leading from Freetown to Fall river.
(This spot will not be forgotten by the writer, who was permitted to visit the neglected grave of Mr. Durfee, the "first named Durfee born in America," while a guest of Walter C. Durfee, Esq., in August, 1898. The day was warm and the way up through the tangled undergrowth and vines was difficult. My friend thought he knew the way, but finally had to call to our assistance an Italian whom we found picking wild blackberries.
It is hoped that a real interest in the preservation of these graves, or rather the removal of the remains, in some public burial plans may be undertgaken by the descendants of Robert Durfee later on.) WILL OF ROBERT DURFEE
1718, Probate Records at Taunton, Mass. Probated date, June 2, 1718.
Item.--To Mary Durfee, my wife, all movables without doors, and in house, &c., except a stone house to son Thomas.
Item.--Meadow to wife, after her death to be divided to son Peleg and daughter Mary and Eliza (or Elizabeth.)
Item.--To Thomas, John, Benjamin, Peleg, Mary, and Elizabeth land at Pocasset Ferry, Rhode Island, which I bought of John Sanford, wife to be exx.
The following inscription is on the tombstone of Leiutenant Durfee; LIEUT. ROBERT DURFEE, Died May 10, 1718. Aged 58 years.
|