Andrew Lester of Gloucester, MA and New London, CT

LESTER

1. ANDREW

m.1. BARBARA ______ (d. 2 Feb. 1653 New London, CT)
    ?2. 1654/5 Joanna Willey (m.1. Robert Hempstead, d.1659)
   3. 1661 Hannah Brooks (m.1. Thomas Fox of Concord, m. 3. Isaac Willey, d. 1692 New London, CT)
will 1669-70 New London, CT

Andrew may have come to New England about 1638 with the Blinman party from Wales as he was closely associated with several members of this party a few years later. Andrew was admitted a freeman in Gloucester, MA on 10 May 1643 and was elected constable on 7 Jan. 1643. In 1648 he was issued a license to keep a house of entertainment and to sell wine.

He and his family moved to New London (Pequot) with Rev. Blynman's party in 1651 where he was a constable and collector of Ports. He received a grant of land on 19 Oct. 1650 and settled on lot No. 4 on Cape Ann Lane. It seems that Andrew's daughter Anne was raised in Gloucester, perhaps by her mother's relatives. Andrew sold his Gloucester property to Clement Colden in 1651.

Together with Hugh Caulkins, John Elderkin and Mr. Denison, Andrew was given rights to the marsh between the town and Alewine Brook on condition that they drain it. Also, "The undertakers have liberty to make a weare. They are to leave it open two nights every week for the coming up of the alewives. The town to have freedom to take what they please at the usual place or to buy them at the weare at 20 alewives for a penny for their eating." He also bought other land on 12 Jul 1659 and was an early resident on the west side of Jordan Cove, known at Bruen's Neck. The list of ministry rates for 1664 contains 105 families, 13 of whom had estates in excess of �150 with Andrew's estate valued at �170. On 1 Nov 1665 Andrew deeded "with the full and free consent of my now wife Ann Lester" 250 acres in Groton to his sons Daniel and Andrew and gave each of them £20(1) The younger Andrew remained on that land in North Groton. Daniel sold his land on 13 Feb 1677/8 and remained on the west side ofthe river near his brothers Timothy, Joseph and Benjamin.

1670 The last will and testament of Andrew Lester, Senior...decsd Jany 7, 1669, was [ ] in Court, proved, and ordered to be recorded (2)

In settling Andrew's estate, Nathaniel Millet of Gloucester Ma signed 3 May 1670 a receipt in behalf of Andrew's wife Ann for her share of her father's estate - £20. The three younger sons signed receipts and received their portions as they came of age. Timothy received land in New London in 1684, Joseph and Benjamin received their portions in 1686/7.

Issue- First four children by Barbara, last three by Hannah

  • I. Daniel- b. 15 Apr. 1642 Gloucester, MA, m. 11 Aug. 1669 New London, Hannah Fox (d. 22 Feb. 1712/3 New London), d. 1717 New London, CT
  • II. Andrew- b. 26 Dec. 1644 Gloucester, MA, m.1. daughter of Nicholas Clark of Hartford 2. Hannah Bradley, d. 1708 Groton, CT
  • III. Mary- b. 26 Dec. 1647, m. 31 Mar. 1676 New London, Samuel Fox (b.c. 1651, d. 4 Sept. 1727 New London)
  • 2IV. ANNE- b. 24 Mar. 1651 Gloucester, m. 3 May 1670 NATHANIEL (5) MILLETT
  • V. Timothy- b. 4 July 1662 New London, CT, m. Rachel ______
  • VI. Joseph- b. 15 June 1664 New London, CT, m. Katherine ______, d. 1725
  • VII. Benjamin- b. 1666, m. 1. 1690 Ann Steadman (d. 27 Jan. 1711/2 New London), 2. 10 June 1713 New London, Elizabeth (Lewis) Plumley, d. by 25 Sept. 1739

    Ref:

    (1) New London Deeds- Book 3, 1652-1667- p.299
    (2) New London County Probate- Vol.2, p.4

    "Andrew Lester & His Descendants"- J. William Lester, Gary, IN, 1926- pp.1-20
    Vital Records- Gloucester & New London
    "History of Gloucester, MA"- Babson
    "Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England"- Savage, Vol.III, p.81
    "A Genealogical Memoir: 12 Generations of the Millett Family, c.1500-1934"- p.14

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