William Manchester

     William Manchester was born in 1654 at Portsmouth, Newport Co, Rhode Island.¹ He was the son of Thomas Manchester and Margaret Wood. William Manchester married Mary Cook, daughter of John Cook and Mary Borden, circa 1672.¹ William Manchester died before 3 November 1718 at Tiverton, Newport Co, Rhode Island. His estate was probated on 3 November 1718 at Newport Co, Rhode Island; In his will, dated September 27, 1716, and proved November 3, 1718, he left his lands at Tiverton to his son John, and made other legacies to his wife and children, to be paid by John as administrator. He left a large estate for that early date, it being appraised at £1,586. He married Mary Cook, a daughter of John and Mary (Borden) Cook, and she died in 1716. His children were: John, mentioned below; William, Mary, Sarah, Deborah, Elizabeth, Margaret, Amey, Susanna, Rebecca, Thomas.
     William Manchester was admitted Freeman of Portsmouth, Rhode Island on 9 April 1675. He was one of the purchasers of Pocasset in the Plymouth Colony (now Little Compton and Tiverton). He was an inhabitant there at the organization of Tiverton 2 March 1692/3. William also held numerous town offices, from Representative to the General Court of Massachusetts, to fence viewer. He left a will on 27 September 1716; He left his lands at Tiverton to his son John, and made other legacies to his wife and children, to be paid by John as administrator. He left a large estate for that early date, it being appraised at £1,586.