BORN		DIED
Deacon Edward Convers, England and Woburn		1590		1663
Samuel Convers, Woburn, Mass.				Bapt.1637	1672
Samuel Convers, Woburn, Mass. and Thompson, Conn.	1662		1732
Edward Convers, Thompson, Conn.				1696		1784
Jonathan Convers, Thompson, Conn.				1761
Deacon Jonathan Converse, Thompson, Conn.			1760		1845
Elisha Converse, Thompson, Conn. and Stoneham, Mass.	1786		1854
Deacon James W. Converse, Boston, Mass.			1808
Hon. Elisha Slade Converse, Malden, Mass.			1820
Costello C. Converse, Boston and Malden, Mass.		1848
Harry E. Converse, Malden, Mass.				1863

1.  DEACON EDWARD (1) CONVERS, England, and Woburn, Mass.; born Jan. 30, 1790; died
Aug. 10, 1663, aged 73 years.  Probably married, lst Jane Clark, who died probably before 1617; 
2d. Sarah_____, in England, died Jan. 14, 1662; 3d Joanna Sprague, the widow of Ralph Sprague, 
of Charlestown,Mass., Sept. 9, 1662, died Feb. 24, 1679.
	We now approach a most interesting point in the record of this family:  the departure of 
Deacon Edward Convers with his wife Sarah, and three children, Josiah, James and Mary, from 
the comforts of their old home in England, fo the privations of these then inhospitable shores.  
Doubtless the motives which led to this exile were of a threefold character:  the first and chief, 
greater freedom to worship God in their own way;  second, greater political liberty; and third, 
greater opportunities of acquiring and holding property.
	On leaving England, Gov. Winthrop, speaking for his company of about seven hundred 
people, among whom were Deacon Convers and family, "bade an affectionate farewell to the church, 
and the land of their nativity."
	"Reverend Fathers and Brethren (such was their address to all from whom they parted), howsoever 
your charitie may have met with discouragment through the misreport of our intentions, or the indiscretion
of some amongst us, yet we desire you will be pleased to take notice, that the principals and the body of our 
company esteem it our honour to call the Church of England, from whence we rise, our deare mother, and 
cannot part from our native countrie, where she specially resideth, without much sadness of heart, and many
tears in our eyes; blessing God the parentage and education, as members of the same body, and while we
have breath, we shall sycerely indeavour the continuance and abundance of her welfare.  Be pleased, therefore,
Reverend Fathers and Brethern, to helpe forward the worke now in hand;  which, if it prosper, you shall
bee the more glorious.  It is a usual exercise of your charity to recommend to the prayers of your congregations,
the straights of your neighbors; do the like for a church springing out of your owne bowels;  pray without 
ceasing for us, who are a weake colony from yourselves."
	After a stormy passage of about sixty-three days, they arriaved outside Salem Harbor, 
about the 12th of June, 1630.  Early in July following, a land and a settlement were effected at 
Charlestown, "where they lay up and down in tents and booths round the hill"; several crossed the 
river and settled in Boston, others planted on the Mystic, now Malden."  But Deacon Edward 
Convers and his family and many others remained.  On the 30th of July a church was organized.  
On the next Lord's day others were received, among whom were "Edward Convers and Sarah 
Convers, his wife."  (Rec. First Church, Boston).  And the members of this church could alone 
partake of the Lord's Supper, or present their children for baptism.  Some two years later, this 
church removed to Boston, and ever after became known as the First Church of Boston.  
Immediately after this removal, another church was organized, and since has been known as the 
First Church of Charlestown (viz., Nov. 2, 1632).  There were nineteen male and sixteen female 
members, among whom were"Edward and Sarah Convers."
	The following covenant is written on the same page as the names of the founders of this 
church:

THE FORMEE OF THE COVENANT
In the name of our Lord God, and in the obedience to his holy will and divine ordinances:
	Wee, whose names are heer written, Beeing by his most wise and good providence 
brought together, and desirous to unite ourselues into one congregation or church under our
Lord Jesus christ, our Head:  In such sort as becometh all those whom he hath redeemed
and sanctified unto himselfe, Doe heer solemnly and religeously, as in his most holy presence,
Promice and bynde ourslues to walke in all our wayes acording to the rules of the Gospell,
and in all sincer conformity to his holy ordinances:  and in mutuall Love and Respect each
to other:  so near as God shall give us grace.
	In fine weather, they worshipped under the branches of a widely spreading tree; at other
times, some one of the few dwellings served as a "Meeting place."  They were located on the side
of the hill, near where the Waverley House now stands.
	We cull two items from the record of the First Church of Charlestown of interest to us:
1636:  11: mo:  8:  Thomas Carter admitted.  Esther Carter, wife of Thomas Carter, by
letter of dismission from ye Church of London, whereof Mr. Thomas Vincent is pastor.
1637: lst mo: day: 12:  Samuel Convers, the son of Edward Convers, and Sarah, his wife, was 
Baptized.
	(It was customary to baptize infants as soon after birth as was prudent.)
	That Edward Convers was a man of some wealth and considerable influence, of great
strength and energy, as well as a rigid Puritan, is evidenced on nearly every page of colonial  and
town history, and continued to be so for thirty-three years after his arrival in this country.  The limits
of this work admit of but brief allusion to his noble record.
	The curious are referred to the early history of this country - the histories of Charlestown and
Woburn, of which latter town Mr. Convers was indeed a father.
	From the colonial records we extract from the many the few following early items:

							Sep. 28, 1630
A Jury was impannelled to inquire concerning the Death of Austen Bratcher.

	There were fifteen men on the jury, the tenth name being Edward Convers.

					Verdict
	Wee find that the Strookes giuen by Walter Palmer, were occationally the means of the
death of Austen Bratcher & soe to be manslaughter.  He died at Cradock's plantecon.

	Oct. 19, 1630, petitioned to be made freeman, Edward Converse

	He was made freeman of the Colony, May 18, 1631.

						Before Court, Nov. 9, 1630.
	It is further ordered that Whoesoever shall first giue in his name to Mr. Gouns, that he
will vndertake to sett vpp a fferry betwixte Boston and Charlton & shall begin the same at such
tyme as Mr. Goun shall appoynt, shall haue for cury p son.......& 1d for euery 100 waight
of goods hee shall soe transport.
	A COURT HOLDEN ATT BOSTON, June 14, 1631.
	Edward Convers hath vundertaken to sett vpp a fferry betwixte Charlton & Boston
for which hee is to have ijd for eury single p son & 1d a piece if there be 2 or more.
Several other allusions are made on the colonial records to Mr. Convers and his ferry, but the 
following must suffice:
				Oct. 7, 1640
The fferry between Boston and Charlestown is granted to the (Harvard) 
Colledge.
It is ordered that Mr. Tynge, Mr. Saml Shepherd & Goodman Edward Convers, are to set
out the bounds betweene Charlestown & Mr. Cradock's farme, on the other side of Mystick
Ryver.*
*Mr. Cradock's house, which is still standing, is worth seeing.
It is ordered that Lieft Sprague and Edward Convers should repair the bridge at Meadfoard
over Mystick Ryver & the same to bee paid for out of the treasury.

	Edward Convers was chosen selectman of Charlestown as early as 1634, and re-elected, 
annually, until 1640.
	In the year 1640, a "petition" was made to the General Court for two miles square of land to be 
added to the head line of Charlestown, which was granted, and afterwards was increased to four 
miles square.
	The following is an able and correct sketch of the life of Deacon Edward Convers, and was
written by Rev. Leander Thompson, of Woburn, in 1885, and published in October of that year in the 
Winchester Record.  (This Winchester Record is attracting wide-spread attention to its valuable 
historical and genalogical articles.)
	"Among the first settlers of Woburn, Edward Converse has always been regarded as a
pioneer and leader.  Yet our knowledge of his history, as of nearly all his associates, must, at this
day, be fragmentary and of course imperfect....A man of more than usual enterprise, we find him,
from the very outset, ever restlessly pushing forward some new work.  In less than a year after settling
in Charlestown, he established a ferry, the first between Charlestown and Boston.  By order of the
Court, June 14, 1631, he was autorized, under certain rules and regulations, to manage this enterprise,
and for several years it was a leading part of his business.  In Winthrop's History of New England, we
find the following account, given also in substance in Frothingham's History of Charlestown:
	"The governor and treasurer, by order of the Geneal Court, did demise to Edward Converse
the ferry between Boston and Charlestown, to have the sole transporting of passengers and cattle 
from one side to the other, for three years fromt he first day of the next month for the yearly rent of
forty pounds, to be paid quarterly to the treasurer:  Provided that he see it be well attended and 
furnished with sufficient boats, and that so soon as may be in the next spring he set up a convenient
house on Boston side, and keep a boat there, as need shall require, and he is allowed to take his 
wonted fees, namely, 2d. for a single person and 1d. apiece if there be more than one, as well on
lecture days as at other times; and for every horse and cow with the the man that goeth with them,
6d., and for a goat 1 d., and for a swine 2d.; and if any shall desire to pass before light in the morning
or if it is after dark in the evening, he may take recompense answerable to the season and his pains
and hazard, so it be not excessive."
	"This lease was given in 1631, and Nov. 9, 1637, it was renewed for three years, Mr. 
Converse agreeing to pay each year forty pounds into the colonial treasury.  This ferry, which crossed
the river where now the Charlestown bridge crosses it, was called the "Great Ferry", to distinguish it 
from another which Thomas Wiliams had 'set up', a short time before its establishment, between 
Charlestown and Winnisimmet.
	"Meanwhile Edward Coverse was made, during the first year of engagement with the ferry
(1631), a freeman of the Colony, and subsequently served the town of Charlestown on the board of
selectmen from 1635 until his removal to his new home in the wilderness, which afterward became
Woburn.  This removal appropriately introduced in connection with the enterprise of founding the new
town.  It is hardly too much to say that he was on every committee, and had a part in every movement
that had this new settlement in view.  He was one of the small company, who, in September, 1640, 
went from Charlestown to search the unexplored land to the northward, and experienced an almost 
miraculous escape from death in a terrific night storm by the fall of a large tree under which they
had laid themselves down for the night.  H was one of a committee of thirteen chosen by the town
of Charlestown, Nov. 4, 1640, 'to sett the bounds betwixt Charlestown and the Village, and to appoint
the place for the village.'  His name stands first in a list of seven men chosen by the chuch in 
Charlestown, Nov. 5, 1640, the day after the appointment of the town committee of thirteen, as
commissioners for 'erecting a church and town' and 'for carr(y)ing on the affaires of this new Town.'
Six of these seven commissioners were on the town committe of thirteen, and to these six men, with
Edward Converse at the head, was due the success of the enterprise they had in view.  At their first
meeting, held Dec. 18, 1640, thirty-two men were found ready to affix their names to the Town 
Orders for Woburn, upon which they had agreed, the name of Edward Converse being second in
the list.  Meanwhile the fears of the church at Charlestown had been aroused by the zeal and energies of 
this handful of men, lest the town should be depopulated.  But they went steadily forward, and the 
church at length yielded, Converse and his associates being accorded, Dec. 22, full power to go
on with their work.  As ever, Converse seems to have outstripped all others in his zeal and to have
erected a house in the territory of the proposed town previous to Jan. 4, 1641, for, under this
date, a meeting was held at his house, according to Johnson Wonder-Working Providence, in 
which many person were admitted to 'set down their dwellings in this town, yet being shallow of brains,
fell ofe (off) afterwards.'  It is possible, as some writers have suggested, that the meeting was held
at his house in Charlestown, and the words 'in this town', refer simply to what was 'this town' when
Johnson wrote.  But early in the next month, Feb. 10, 1641, the same writer tells us, as others also
do, that the first bridge was laid over the "Abersonce", elsewhere and generally called the Abajona,*
River, 'over against Edward Converse's house', and called 'Coul (or Cold) Bridge.'  This
records also seems to assume that the house was there when the bridge was built, though, of course,
the reference to it may possibly, not naturally, be in anticipation of its actual erection.

*This name is written Aberjonah, Abarjona, and Abajona by differnt writers, the latter the most
frequently in modern usage.

Mr. Champney, in his contribution to the 'History of Middlesex County,' Vol. II., p 526, after saying 
that the bridge was built in February, 1641, adds:  'And the first dwelling-house was erected over 
against it, that is, the bridge.  This doubtless correct, so far as the location of the house was 
concerned, but it exactly reverses the statement of the former implying that the bridge was built first, 
and that of the latter that the the house was built first.  Whatever may have been the exact date of the 
erection of the house, there seems to be no doubt that it was the first dwelling-house erected in 
Woburn; that of John Mousall being built but a little later on 'Hilly Way.'  In the words of the quaint 
old historian and poet, Johnson, referring to these men:
	"Too (two) nurses less undaunted then (than) the rest, ffirst howses ffinish.'
	"The historical facts of the first house and the first bridge, and probably also the first mill, in 
Woburn, so intimately associated with Edward Converse's enterprise, appropriately introduce us to
the part he acted in the organization and affairs of the new town.
	"We have already noticed that his name is at the head of the seven commissioners appointed to
superintend the general business of settling the town, which issued in securing the act of incorporation 
in 1642.  His connection with the work of gathering the church previous to Oct. 6 of that year (the date 
of the incorporation) we pass for the present, in order to notice more consecutiely his secular life and 
activities.  To the persistent energy of Edward Converse, more than to any other one man, the success 
of the seven commisioners seems to have been due.  And when 'Charlestown Village' was finally called
'Woobourne,' by the act of the General Court, and recognized as the twentieth town in the 
Massachusetts Colony, we can easily imagine that the satisfaction and joy of no other man equalled 
those of this ever-restless worker.
	"Why the newly incorporated municipality did not immediately so far organize as to choose 
the appropriate officers for administering its affairs is at present wholly a matter of conjecture.  The
records mention a general meeting as early as Nov. 9, 1643, in which some minor and comparatively
unimportant matters of business were transacted, but there is no hint of a regular organization till
April 13, 1644, about eighteen months after the incorporation. On that day the freemen of the town
made a choice of the first board of selectmen, consisting of Edward Johnson, Edward Converse,
John Mousall, William Learned, Ezekiel Richardson, Samuel Richardson, and James Thompson, --
seven good and honest men.  The name of Edward Converse stands second on this board, as given in 
the Woburn records.  From this time onward until his death, he appeared, as ever before, to have
been a foremost man in all public business.  On March 3, 1649, he was one of the four of the 
selectmen appointed to negotiate with the town of Charlestown the matter of the disputed boundary
between the two towns.  He was also, year after year, one of a board of commissioners for the trial
of 'small causes'.  In 1660 he was deputy to the General Court.  And for nineteen years, from 1644 
till 1663, when he died, he was annually chosen a member of the board of selectmen.
	"We come now to a consideration of Edward Converse, in his religious character and life.
	"In the very outset of his career as a citizen of Charlestown, we find his name in the list of 
subscribers to the First Church covenant of that town (Aug. 27, 1630), the first name being that of
Gov. Winthrop.  When this original First Church was removed, three months afterwards, to Boston,
though his relation to it for some time remained as before, he did not, like Winthrop and many others,
remove his family across the river.  Accordingly, when the present First Church of Charlestown was
organized (Nov. 2, 1632), he and others, having obtained letters of dismission from the church
in Boston, united with those who had not been members of that church in the new organization. 
As a member of that church, he was ever prominent; and one of the seven members of it who were
commissioned to effect, in the name of the mother church, as also in the presence and with the
consent of the appointed representative of the Colony, the outward organization of the church in
Woburn.  This organization was effected Aug. 24, 1642, and on the second day of the following
December Thomas Carter was ordained and installed pastor.  It is highly probable, though not
definitely ascertained, that, of the two men who laid their hands on the young candidates' head
and formally ordained him to the work of the ministry, instead of delegating the power to the
messenger of the churches, Edward Converse was one.  It is certain that he was one of the first
two deacons of the church, and remained in office till his death.
	"From all that has been ascertained respecting the religious character of Edward Converse,
we readily infer that he was a man of strongly marked idiosyncrasies.  Promp, clear-headed, devout,
conscientious, outspoken, and unflinching, and yet prudent, self-contained, and uniform, are the
adjectives that best describe his whole career.  A single curious incident, mentioned by Johnson in
his Wonder-Working Providence, well illustrates a trait which often seems to manifest 
itself.  It occurred more than twenty years after his removal from Charlestown to Woburn, and only
about three months before his death.  'In May, 1663, Isaac Cole, constable, and Edward Converse,
one of Capt. Johnson's associates int he board of selectmen at Woburn, were arraigned;  the former
for refusing to take and publish the King's letter, and the latter for having spoken of it as Popery.
The Court, having a hearing, discharged Converse, on the ground that his language did not 
reflect on his Majesty's letter.' This account assumes that Converse did speak of the king's 
letter as popery, but in language so carefully guarded that even papal servants of the king could
not easily make out a case against him.
	"But though the good old father of the town came forth from his arrest by the officers
of the king unscathed and apparently untroubled, there was one passage in his busy life as a 
citizen which seems to have seriously disturbed him, and which resulted in an arbritration between
him and one of his neighbors.  The erection and operation of his mill on the Abajona River so 
overflowed the adjacent meadow of Robert Hale as to be an insuperable obstacle in the way of
the latter's improvement of his own land.  This naturally led to complaint and difficulty.  But at length
an honorable arbitration seems to have happily ended the controversy in a very fair and Christian
way."
	The will of Edward Convers, dated August, 1659, is as follows:
	In the name of God, Amen, I , Edward Convers, of Woburne, in the Coun. of Midd.
Massachusetts Collony in New England, being in p-fect memory though weake of Body, do make
this my last will and testamt, to dispose of my lands, goods and chattles, that the Lord hath leut unto 
mee, dueing my naturall life, which my Will is shall be disposed of in mannr as followeth.
	Imp.  I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sarah Convers ten pounds pr. year, to be
payd unto Her from yeare to yeare during her naturall life, that is to say, five pounds a yeare
out of my soune Josias Convers his house, and ye other five poungs a year out of the Mill.  Also my
will is that my wife shall have such roomes to live in dureing her life int he hosue that I nowlive in, as She
shall make choyce of for Her use, and one of the gardens before the house, which she shall make
choyce of for her use, and ten of the apple trees in the old orchard dureing her life which she shall
make choyce of.  Also my will is that my wife shall have a fourth part of all my mvoeable goods
and chattels when my debts and legacyes and my funail be discharged.  Also I give unto my sonne,
Josias Convers, the House wherein He now liveth and the barnes and outhouses and the orchard
before the house, with the yards and other appurtenances to the same belonging, and the land that
lyeth in the great field, and all that meadow that lyeth in the west side of the brooke in bucke
meadow.  My Will is that my sonne Josias shall enjoy all these houses and lands, with other the 
appurtenances above specified, for Him and his heyres lawfully begotten of his body, and for want 
thereof, to my sonne James Converse, his sonne Edward Convers, and to his Heyres lawfully 
begotten of his body, and want there of my Will is that it shall be divided equally, or to the next Heyre
according to law, and for the field called the sheep-pasture, I give it to my sonnes Josiah and Samuel
together with my mill and mill house and the appurtenances to them belonging, to be possessed by the
longest liver and his Heyres.  Also I give to my sonne Samuel Convers my house wherein I now dwell
and all the land lying behind the house to the brow of ye Hill northward, and all the land that is plowable
lyeing on the north side of the blind bridge, together with all the meadow that lyeth adjoyning to the said 
land and all the p'cell of land that lyeth on the east side of the rode, next to the mill pond betweene the 
aforesaid blynd Bridge, and my dwelling house.  Also I give to my sonne Samuel all ye meadow ye lyeth 
on ye east side of the river in Bucke meadow, and my English pasture that is fenced in on the other
side of the mill river, and my will is that for all the rest of ye land that is not plowable lying on the 
north side of blind Bridge, together with all the rest of my pasture lands, shall be equally divided 
between my three sonnes, Josiah, James, and Samuel, only reserveing the timber that is upon the 
said pasture lands from my sonne James, who shall have no part therein, but it shall be injooyhed by 
my other sonnes Josiah and Samuel and their Heyres.  Also my will is that if my sonne Samuel shall
dy without Heyres lawfully begotten of his body, that the estate that I have given to Him shall be
divided between ye children of my daughter Mary Thompson.  Also I give to my sonne James
Convers the sume of thirty pounds and I give to my daughter Mary Sheldon the sume of twenty 
marks.  And I give to my kinsman Allin convers the sume of ten pounds and I give to my kinswoman
Sarah Smith the sume of five pounds.  Also I give to my kinsman John Parker the sume of forty
shillings, and for these legacyes my will is that they shall be paid within three years after my decease
as my Executors shall see meete and are able to pay the same.  and for all that land that lyeth
comon between the houses my will is that it shall ly common for perpetuity, and for all my moveable
goodes and chattels that remaineth of what is give to my wife, I give to thirds of the same to my
sonne Josiah the other third to my sonne Samuel.  and for the legacyes that I have given my will 
is that they shall be payd in Corne and cattle, or either of them.  Also my will is that my sonne Josiah
and my sonne Samuel shall be my sole executors.  Alsoi my will is that my sonne James Convers
and my kinsman Allin Convers, and my kinsman John Parke shall be the overseer of this my Will.
My will also is that all my moveable goods shall be apprised distinctly.
	Signed and subscribed the ____ day of August, 1659.
		(Signed)  Edward Converse

In the presence of us,
	ALLIN CONVERS
	JNO. PARKER
	
	My Will is that my sonne Josiah shall have the meadow that is fenced in on the other side
of the mill brook, lying next unto my sonne James his meadow fo rhim and his Heyres, as the rest
of the lands within expressed.	
								Cambridge, 7, 8th, 1663
	At the Coun Court, then sitting at Cambridge, Allin Convers and John Parker appearing
in Court, do on their oath given them say that Edward Convers deced being of a disposing mind,
they saw Him signe, seale, and publish this instrument as his last Will and testament, and that they
know of no other.
	Entred and Recorded, 7, 8th, 1663
							THOMAS DANFORTH, Recorder

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					AN INVENTORY
	An Inventory of the Estate lately possessed by Edward Convars, of Woburne,
in New England, who deceased ye 10th (6), 1663
								�	s.	d.
Imprs.	The dwelling house now posses by Samue Convars	080	00	00
In Ye Hall two tables and a foarme				001	05	00
In Chayres							000	05	00
One Cupboard							000	10	00
One payre of Cob Irons						000	16	00
One fire shovel & tongs						000	04	00
One bible							000	07	00
In Quishions							000	05	00
In the Hall Chamber a feather bed					004	00	00
A feather bolster and two pillows					001	00	00
One Rug and two blankets					002	00	00
A flocke bed, a straw bed & straw bolster				000	10	00
A payre of curtayues & vallens					001	16	00
A bedstead							001	10	00
A trundle bed with feather bed & bolster, straw bed, straw
	bolster & coverlet					003	05	00
In Chayres							000	07	00
In wearing cloathes, a new serge coate				001	07	00
A cloath coate							000	13	00
A serge coate							000	12	00
A serge coate							000	05	00
a Cloath Jacket & breeches					001	10	00
Three Wast coats & pr. of drawers				001	00	00
Two Jackets & two payre of stockins				000	15	00
A piece of Kersie						001	07	00
A hat and payre of mittings					000	05	00
A payre of bootes						000	10	00
In hatts								000	18	00
In shirts								001	12	00
In caps								000	04	00
In handerkerchiefs						000	07	00
In bands							000	09	00
four payre of new sheets						004	08	00
a dussen of napkins						000	15	00
four payre of sheets more with other small linnen			002	13	00
Two Table Cloathes						000	12	00
five pillow beers, 10s., in Towels, 3s., one yd Cotton, 2s.		000	15	00
In small linnen							000	07	06
A peece of Say							000	01	00
Two yards of linsie woolsie					000	05	00
A box and gloves						000	03	00
In cotton, woolen and linnen yarne				001	06	00
In chests							001	08	00
In cheese							001	08	00
In the chamb. over ye Kitchen a flockbed, straw bed, feather
	bolster 7 three pillows					001	00	00
A bed stead							000	15	00
In the Garret over it, one beare skin, a flocke bed, straw bed,
	two bolsters, a blankett and Ruggs			002	08	00
One Hatchell							000	10	00
A musket, a carabine & sword					001	00	00
In nayles, 2s. 6d., a pr of pinchers and other small things		000	04 	00
A scale Beame							000	06	00
In ye leanto chamb., in Indian Corn				001	06	00
A woolen and linnen wheele					000	05	00
A sadle, pillion cloath, bridle and pannel				001	05	00

				IN THE KITCHEN
In Earthen weare							000	03	00
One dozen of trenchers, scales and weights			000	03	06
A great Kettle, 15s., a midle Kettle, 15s., ye Cast Kettle, 14s.	002	05	00
three skellitts & a scumer						000	06	06
A warming pan							000	10	00
an Iron pott & hookes, an Iron Kettle & skellitt			001	00	00
a mortar & pestle						000	03	06
two tin pans, 3s., a gridiron, 3s.					000	06	00
two sives, 2s. 6d., & one lanthorne, 1s. 6d.			000	04	00
a frying pan							000	03	06
three trayes, 4s., two payles, 3s. yd.				000	07	06
foure cheesefatts with their covers					000	04	06
In wooden ware, 3s., a pr. of bellowes, 1s.				000	04	00
Two trammels and a spit						000	10	00
A payre of Cob Irons, 4s.  In pewter,�1, 11s.			001	15	00 
In spoones, 1s. 6d., a smoothing Iron, 1s.				000	02	06
In plate, a beere bowle						002	10	00
Four spoons							001	10	00

				IN YE LEANTO	
In tooles							001	10	00
In wedges & beetle rings, 12s., and a sithe, 4s.			000	16	00
In old iron, 2s., one spade, fro. & Hamer, 4s.			000	04	00
two mattocks & two Howes					000	08	00
A Hay Knife & a pitchfork					000	04	00
The Barne posses by Samuel Convars				035	00	00
In Corne & Hay							020	00	00
In flax, 8s.  In hemp, 14s.						001	02	00

In Indian corne in the field					004	00	00
In gardens, orchard, and arrable land joy(ning to the 
	dwelling house and barne possessed by Samuel Convars	015	00	00
All the arrable land on the north side of blind Bridge		060	00	00
five accrs of meddow						015	00	00
Eight accrs of meadow on ye East side of Buck meadow		026	00	00
English pasture on ye East side of ye Mill river			010	00	00
Pasture land on ye East side of Josias and Samuel their		013	00	00
	 dwelling houses
Land at ye Indian Hill						020	00	00
pasture lands on both sides Horn pond river			005	00	00
the Mill & Mill pond & mill house with other ye appurtenances	130	00	00
the dwelling possessed by Josias Convars				055	00	00
the barnes & out houseing					015	00	00
the great field							100	00	00
A parcell of meadow neere ye house				003	00	00
The Orchard with all the arrable land joyneing to his houseing	020	00	00
Eight accrs of Buck meadow					024	00	00
three accrs of meadow at ye great meadow				006	00	00
The Sheep pasture						010	00	00
In carts, yakes & chaynes					005	00	00
In a grind-stone							000	12	00
In a mare,�10, Colt, �6, & swine					021	00	00
In Sheepe & Lambs, �1, 10s, a boy, �1-				011	10	00
foure cowes, �18, two steeres, �8					026	00	00
one steere, �3, 10s, two other, �4, one calf, �1			008	10	00
two oxen, �12, & two oxen, �13					025	00	00
								___	__	__
						the total sume is	827	05	06
The Estate is debtor to* funall charges and other accounts		028	16	00
The Estate is Cr.							003	00	00

*Funeral charges here meant, in all probability.


				At a Coun' Court held at Cambridge	
							Octob. 7th 1663
Josiah Convers, Executor to the last Will and tesment of his father, Edward Convars, deced,
being sworn, do say that is a true Inventory of all that Estate, whereof the said Edward
Convars died seized, and yt if any more to appeare, Hee will timely and truly discover the
same & cause it to be added hereunto.		
							THOMAS DANFORTH, R.
	Entered & Recorded Octob 7th 1663.
						by Thomas Danforth, Recorder

							3 Decemb. 1679
	I, Joanna Converse give unto my daugher Edmands - The old Darnex Curtains &
Vallains; A green Rugg & the Iron dripper pan and my cloake and w? things is in my son
Phineas his house, being a Bedstead, a TAble & a ffoarme, with an Iron barr and Trammell 
in the chimney, a pr of Iron Andirons, a chest, should remaine to him as his owne.
	These prticulars with others in a paper of a former date to remayne to the prtyes
nominated, as witness our hands the day and year above written.	
						The mark of HANNAH EDMONDS*
RICHARD SPRAGUE, & c
   Sworn in Court 15 (4)80
	J. R. C.

					Charlestown, Nov. 4, 1679
	An Invoise of particulars given by Mother Converse to sister Mary Edmonds as 
followeth: ; "Impr.  A Hood & Safe guard of Serge - her best black gowne - her best red
cloath Petticoate - Her red turky mohaire peticoate - her best Hatt & best green Apron.
Her little chest - 2 pewter Dishes - Her red Searge petticoate - Several prcells of Linnen
which she putt into sister Edmonds Boxes which she gave her, and are not be be called for,
& sister Edmonds is to have her proportion of what is left.  Sister Edmonds daughter to have
the scarfe she had att Eunice Sprague's buriall & ye hood & he handerchief was cut from it.
Phineas Sprague's daughter Mary to have her next best Silke hood and lutestring handkerchief.
One of Bro. John's Daughters to have one of her Scarfes.  One of Bro. Samuel's Daughters
to have another Scarfe.  And Bro. Phineas othe' daughter to have ye other Scarfe."
						Attested by Richard Sprague
							The mark of
								HANAH EDMONDS
15. 4. 80.
Sworn in Court,
   J. R. C.

*Mary, daughter of Ralph Ssprague and Joanna (afterwards wife of Deacon Edward Converse),
married Daniel Edmands, of Charlestown.

An Inventory of the estate of Joanna (Convers)* decd, taken April 2,1680.

							�	s.	d.
In books						001	00	00
In houseing & land					180	00	00
One feather bed and furniture				005	00	00
It.  8 pair of Sheets					004	00	00
It.   4 pair of Pillowbeers					000	08	00
It.  One Table Cloath & 17 Napkins & towells		001	00	00
It.  Wearing Claothes, Wollen, Linnen, Silk & Hatts		025	00	00
It.  Two Chests, one Trunk, one Box & Spinning wheel	001	06	00
It.  Two Blankets					000	10	00
It.  One Rugg						000	05	00
It.  In Brass						003	10	09
It.  In Pewter						001	01	00
It.  In wooden & Earthen ware				000	05	00
It.  In Iron ware						000	16	00
It.  One Cupboard					000	05	00
It.  A new piece of Cotton & Linnel Cloath & other small 
	linnen						001	10	00
It.  One Cow						002	10	00
It.  A Bedstead, Table & a Chestq			001	00	00
It.  A Dripping Pan					000	03	00
It.  In Money						023	16	00
				Apprised by
						JOHN CUTTLER
						THOS. LORD
15. 4. 80  Sworn to by LFT. SPRAGUE
		J. R. C.

* Joanna Convers bore no children to Edward Convers - Richard Frothingham, in his History
of Charlestown, Mass., state that "she (Joanna Converse) may have been Edward Converse's
third wife.  See Jane Converse (note), the first wife, as presumed, of Edward Converse, and
thus making "Sarah" a second wife and "Joanna" a third wife, as surmised by Frothingham.  See
also Savage.	





Children of Deacon Edward (1) and Sarah Convers:
I.  Deacon Josiah (2), born 1617 in England; died Feb. 3, 1689, in Woburn, Mass., aged 72 years; 
married, March 26, 1651, Esther, daughter of Richard Champney, of Cambridge, Mass.; intestate;
inventory, �646 8d. 6s.; had one son, Capt. Josiah (3), born_____, married, Oct. 8, 1685, Ruth
Marshall of Wohburn, and died July 15, 1717.  Inventory, �1,444 9d. 1s.  He mentions in his
will daughers Ruth Symmes, Rebecca Pierce, Kesiah Convers, and Mary Convers, and sons 
Josiah(4), Timothy (4), born July 6, 1693, died Sept. 14, 1693; Josiah(4) was born April 25, 1704,
died 1774, at Watertown, Mass.  No further traced, probably died s. p.

II.  Lieut. James(2), born 1620 in England; died May 10, 1715, at Woburn, Mass.; married Anna,
daughter of RobertLong, of Charlestown, Oct. 24, 1643.  He was a valuable and highly esteemed
citizen; was repeatedly honored by the town with the principal offices within its gift, and surviving 
his son, Major James, died, aged 95.  Had:
	I. Hannah (3), born 1644; died 1644
	II. Major James(3), Jr. born Nov. 16, 1645; married Hannah Carter, Jan. 1, 1668-9; died July 8,
	    1706.  He had:
		I. James(4), born 1670.
		II.  John(4), born 1673; marreid Abigail Sawyer, May 22, 1699; died Jan. 6, 1707;
	    	     had John(5), born Feb. 3, 1701, married Abigail Baldwin before 1728.  John(5)
	     	    removed to Leicester, Mass., and subsequently to Brookfield, Mass., and has
	    	    many descendants in that region.
	III.  Deborah(3), born 1648; married 1663 John Pierce.
	IV. Sarah(3), born 1649, married ____.
	V.  Rebecca(3), born 1651; married Enoch Moore.
	VI. Lydia(3), born 1653; died 1655.
	VII. Edward(3), born 1654; married Sarah Stone; died July 26, 1692.
	VIII. Mary(3), born 1656; died 1690; married, 1675 Nath'l Davis.
	IX.  Abigail(3), born 1658; married 1676, Jona. Kettle; died 1690.
	Major James (3) Convers had a great many descedants, some of whom settled in various places
in New Hampshire and in Massachusetts, while many others remained in Woburn, where they have
always been honored and respected as useful citiznes, and are so honored at the present time.

III.  Mary(2), born England, 1622; died ____; married lst, Simon(2) Thompson (James(1)), Jan. 19,
1643; married, 2d John Sheldon, Feb. 1, 1659, of Billerica, Mass.  Mary (Convers) and Simon
Thompson had six children:
	I.   John(3), born April 4, 1645; died April 12, 1645
	II.  Sarah (3), born Feb. 20, 1647
	III. James(3), born March 29, 1649
	IV. Mary(3), born Jan. 25, 1651; died 1657
	V.   Ann(3), born July 30, 1655
	VI.  Rebecca(3), born May, 1658
	The Thompson family of Woburn and Winchester, Mass., are of an ancient and distinguished
race, and have left and are still leaving their "footprints on the sands of time".

IV.  Samuel(2), baptized March 12, 1637
2.  SERGT. SAMUEL (2) CONVERS(Deacon Edward(1), Woburn, youngest son of Deacon Edward
Convers, was baptized March 12, 1637, in the First Church, Charlestown; born probably but a few
days or weeks before March 12, 1637; died Feb. 20, 1669; married Judith, daughter of Rev. Thomas
and Mary (Dalton) Carter, June 8, 1660.
	Rev. Thomas Carter was born in England about the year 1610; and educated at St. John's 
College, Cambridge, England; received his degrees, 1629, 1630 and 1633; embarked from London
for America, April 2, 1635, in the "Planter", Nicholas Trerice, master.
	The passengers brought with them certificates from the minister at Great St. Albans, in
Hertfordshire, which may have been Rev. Mr. Carter's early home.  He was admistted to membership
to the First Church of Charlestown, Mass., "1636, 11mo., 8th day";  was settled over the church in
Woburn, 1642, where he continued as pastor until his death, Sept. 5, 1684, aged 74 years.
	Judith, wife of Samuel Convers, survived him, and married Giles Fifield, of Charlestown,
May 2, 1672, and died 1678.
	Samuel (2) Convers was admitted freeman, 1666, and came to an untimely death by an
accident in the corn mill which he inherited jointly with his brothers from his father, Deacon Edward
Convers.  The records of his death, on file at East Cambridge, are as follows:
"We, Isaac Brooks and James Thompson, being about the 21 of Feb. 69, in the Corne mill 
belonging to the Converses, at Wooburne, on of a suddain we heard a voice about the mill wheel 
saying stop the wheel, upon wh the said Thompson did run to the mill gate & looking towards the 
mill wheel he saw as he thought a man laid down and cried out my unkle is killed. Isaak in the mean 
time did run to the water wheel and found Samuel Converse with his head fastened between the 
water wheel and water wall.
	The said Thompson in the mean time did shift the gate and came running to the sd Brooks. 
Now the water wheel being turned backwards did raise upwards and wee seeing his head cleared 
went unto him and did take him up alive who bled excessively. We did carry him into his house and 
soon after we brought him in his bleeding stopt & and in about half an houres time as we conceive he 
was quite departed."

THE VERDICT OF THE JURY OF QUEST ON THE DEATH OF SAMUEL CONVERSE.

	We subscribed being by the Constable of Wooburn Summoned a jury of quest upon the 
suddain and untimely death of Seargt. Samuel Convars late of Wooburne, upon examination of the 
Witnesses that did take him up, going to the place from whence he was taken up & viewing of the 
Corps, doe conceive that the said Convars was cutting some ice from off the water wheele, of the 
corne mill & so overreaching with his axe was caught by his coate with some part of the wheele 
whereby his coate was rent to the Choller thereoff & that not giving way his head was drawne untill 
it was sucked in between the water wall & the water wheele. now as is said he did call to shutt 
down the wheel but in all probabillitie lie received his mortall wound soone after he spake to stop 
the wheele. We saw much blood in the place whereabouts he was judged to stand, also there was 
blood upon the snow from the place to his house, as is said he was carried to his house alive and 
being set in a chair his blood quickly settled within him wholly preventing him from speaking & in 
about half an hour was dead. We found the back side of his head greatly brusied his nose grizzle 
as wee think was broken so that the said Convars his head lying as before expressed we judge his 
death to be by the water wheele of the Corn Mill.

22: 12: 69.

	RICHARD GARDNER 		 JOHN CARTER	
	MATTHEW JOHNSON		 JOHN NORRIS	
  	JOHN WRIGHT			INCREASE WINN
  	JOHN RUSSELL			JOHN MOUSALL
        	EDWARD IVONS			JOHN BROOKS	
	WILLIAM JOHNSON		 WILL SYMES

Samuel Convers died intestate. Among the papers relating to his estate, recorded Vol. III 
page 209, Middlesex Probate Records, is:
	"An Inventory of the estate presented to us, subscribed, of Sergt. Samuel Convars of 
Woburne, lately deced.
						 	 	 �.	s. 	d.
Imp. In land at a place called Indian Hill about 30 acc's 	  	  030	00 	00
 It. In arrable land vpon blind Bridge playne about 40: accrs		  050 	00 	00
 It. In pasture land neere to his barne about 30 accrs 	   	  003 	00 	00
 It. In upland at a place called Breakenecke Hill 6 accrs. 		  005 	00 	00
 It. twelve accrs & � in Woburne comon upland	          		  002 	10 	00
 It. Interest in the said comon as to herbage and woodland 		  020	00 	00
 It  In upland at the eastermost side of Aberjona river about 24 acres	  020	00	00
 It. In vpland & orchard about the dwelling house about 4 acres	 016	00	00
 It. In meddow at a place called bucke meddow about nine acres 	  030 	00 	00
 It. In meddow upon Aberjona river about seven acres 	  	  035 	00	00
 It. In make meddow at a place called great meddow about 2 acres	  001	00	00
 It. In an 8th of a saw mill upon Aberjona river & pond thereof 	   020	00	00
 It. ln upland at a place called pine meadow Playne 6 acres 		  003	00	00
 It. In a third of a corne mill upon Aberjona river 			  020	00	00
	with a third of the utensils belonging thereunto		  020	00	00
 It. In a third of a kell house & haire cloth .				  000	10	00
 It. In a barne and lien house				  	 030	00	00
 It. In a dwelling house						  080	00 	00

IN THE KITCHEN.
Imprimis In peauter						001	05 	00
 It. In a warming pail, pestle & morter, skillets, dishes & earthen ware  000	15	00
 It. In trammell handjrons, spit, slice and tongs 			  000	16	00
 It. In a fowling piece, woolen wheell, a cradle 5 chaires & table .	  001	07	00

IN THE LEANTO.
 It. In a brass Kettle 2 Iron Kettles & an iron pott .			  002	00	00
 It. In tubs, treyes & cheeze press					  000	10	00
 It. In a chearne, frying pail, sieves and other lumber .		  000	05	06	
 It. In apparell woolen and linnen					  007	02	00
 It. Three chestes, a bed sted & table				001	15	00

IN THE KITCHEN CHAMBER.
Imprimis: A chaf bed, bed stead, a pillow 2 blankets a sheet 
	& coverlet   						001	10	00
 It. A sadle pillion & cloth, bridle girts, crupper & pannell 		  001	10	00
 It. A muskett, bandeleers, 2 bellts, sword, rest & pike 		  001	10	00
 It. 16 bushels of rye, 11 bush: of wheat, 20 bush:
	 Indian 3 bush: barley 					009	00	00
 It. 2 bush of Dates, two hogs heads & a fewe hops 		 000	16 	00

IN THE GARRET.
 It. In nailes hemp & old jron &, feathers				  001	07	00
 It. In tooles ,							  000	14	00
 It. In rye vpon the ground				            	002	00	00
 It. In chaines yoakes jrons, a plow wth share & boult		001	00	00
 It. In about one hundred & half of boarde 			000	07	06
 It. In a long carte & dung carte wth the wheeler			  002	06 	00
 It. In a third of grind stone, harrow teeth & timber chaine 		  000	3 	4
 It. In a third of a frame neere mistick bridge laid 			005	00	00
							(total?)	  438	10	03

IN STOCK IN THE YARD.
Imprimis: Three working cattell					012	00	00
 It. In a horse							003	00	00
 It. In two cowes							006	00	00
 It. In two heifers						005	00	00
 It. In a young bull						 001	00	00
 It. In three yearlings						002	05	00
 It. In nine sheep & 2 lambs					003	10	00
 It. In eight swine						001	00 	00
 							(total?)	   37	05 	00

 It. In a man servant about a year					   09	05	00
The totall sum of this Inventory	is				  475	00 	03
The debts and credits of this estate being compared, the clere estate
	at present is						446	12 	03
Errors excepted.
								WILL: SYMMES
								JOHN CARTER
								WILL: JOHNSON.

				ESTATE OF SAMUEL CONVERS, DEBTOR.

Imprimis. To Josiea Conuers					016	03	06
 It. To Mr,. Norton 						000	17	4
 It. To Hennery Balcum	 					000	15	7
 It. To John Wilson senr 						000	15	6
 It. To Mr. Cuttler Cuttler 					002	16	8
 It. To John Berbeen	 					000	7 	10
 It. To Allien Conners for rates					000	9	4
 It. To John Mousall of Wooburne 				000	2	6
 It. To William Butter						000	2	3
 It. To Jonathan Thompson 					000	4	00
 It. To goodman Peirson 						000	3	00
 It. To Captaine Johnson 						000	4	00
 It. To Mr.  Carter 						001	7	00
 It. To Mr.  Thomas Line 					000	3	00
 It. To John Whittimore						000	12	6
 It. To Daniel Champney 						001	5	00
 It. To good wife Conuars 					002	4 	6
 It. To an annual paiment to be wade to Isis mother Conuers 
	during her naterrall life.					001	13	4
 It. To goodman Jakewith 					000	2	6
 It. To goodman Clarke	 					000	1	6
 It. To the estate of Tho: Whittimore 				000	8	00
 It. To John Smith 						000	18	00
 It. To John Lowden	 					000	5	6
 It. To John Smith						000	16	8
 It. To John Ted 						000	4	6
 It. To Moses Cleaueland senr					000	4 	06
 It. To Clothe, for Nathl. Hellin* .					 005     00	00

							(total?)   38	09      00

					ESTATE CREDITOR
By John Russell							000     	3	00
By Jame's ffowle 						000     	8         00
By Gersham flag							000    	14        00
By John Craggin							000	08	00
By Jonathan Cary						000	 9	00
By Theophilus Richardson					000	 2	00
By Edward Will							000	 5	00
by Samuel Barnard						000	 18	10
By Proctor							000	  5	00
By Isaack Brooks						003	  1	04
By Mr. Ballard							000	 16	00
By Samuel Carter						001	  9	00
By Nath Hellin							000	  5 	00

							(total?)    09	 04 	08

By James Convers Junr						 00	 16 	11

								10	 11     07 

As before stated, Judith, widow, married, 2d, Giles Fifield, May 2, 1672. His will was proved Oct. 28, 1676, in which he gives to his wife Judith "all she brought him." It also states, "I further give and bequeath unto Samuel Convers, and Abigail, his sister, as a Legaci of my love, to each of them, ten shillings in silver, to be payed unto them by my excutor." Judith Fifield's estate was appraised Oct. 3,1678. We have no further record of Abigail.