WILLIAM READ [#362], b. abt. 1607, d. prob. New London, CT before 13 Jun 1679, m(1) Gillingham, Dorset, Eng. 12 Oct 1629 SUSANNA HAYME, b. abt. 1606, d. Boston, MA 12 Oct 1653, m(2) Boston 20 Mar 1654 Ruth Crooke. She m(2) before 7 Jun 1681 ____ Percy.
The Read's came to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635 with Rev. Joseph Hull's Company, sailing on or near March 20, 1634-5 from Weymouth, Dorset. William was listed as a tailor from Batcombe, Somerset, aged 28 years with Susanna, 29 years old, and daughters Hannah, age 3, and Susanna, age 1.[1] The shipping list also states that traveling with the Read's was Richard Adams, servant, age 29.[2]
William and Susanna were married at St. Mary's, Gillingham, Dorset. He was a resident of Batcombe by that time, and his father had already died, since he was listed as the son of the widow Reade. Susanna's father was also deceased as she was described as the daughter of the widow Joanna Montier. William Read, Rev. Hull, and several others were made freemen on Sept. 2, 1635. The next year William was chosen the deputy from Weymouth to the General Court, a great honor for so young a man and proof of his popularity and ability. He was again elected deputy in 1638 and was the constable in 1644. The Read's left Weymouth and moved to Boston about 1646, where they were admitted to membership of the church May 15, 1647 "upon letters of Dismission from the Church at Waymouth". They had been in Boston for some time already as their son John was baptized at the Boston church Sept. 27, 1646, "sonne of Willyam Reade, a Recommended Member from the Church at Waymouth". Despite having lived in Boston for five years, William was made a selectman of Weymouth in 1651, perhaps as a means to entice him to move back there.[2]
Susanna died in 1653 and William married Ruth Crooke, who must have been much younger than he. On Feb. 16, 1654-5 William purchased of Rev. John Wilson a small lot, bounded on the east by Devonshire St. (then called Crooked Lane) and on the north by "the street leading to the Dock". He erected his dwelling house and shop on the lot, which he then sold in 1672. Ruth went back to England in 1669 after the birth of their tenth child, and upon her return four years later, she was brought to trial and banished from the colony for misconduct while abroad. She was living in Rhode Island in 1674 as appears by William Read's petition for permission for her to return, dated Sept. 2 of that year, which was not granted by the court.[2]
William appears to have moved to New London, CT and probably died there prior to June 13, 1679, the time at which his "orphan" son Hezekiah was granted liberty by the court to choose a guardian.[2]
REF: [1] The History of Weymouth - George Chamberlain, 1923 (pgs.565-6)
[2] The Reade Record, Number 10, 1917 (pgs.2-4)
Children (by Susanna):
1. Hannah, b. Eng. abt. 1632, d. Boston, MA 25 Nov 1656 2. Susanna, b. Eng. abt. 1634, m(1) Boston, MA 13 Dec 1659 Samuel Smith, bap. Hingham, MA Oct 1639, d. 5 Mar 1688, m(2) Taunton, MA 14 Nov 1689 Thomas Lincoln 3. Margaret?, b. prob. abt. 1637, m. Boston 3 Mar 1659 Richard Stabbs or Stubbs 4. William, b. Weymouth 8 May 1641 5. Esther, b. Weymouth 8 May 1641, m. Boston 30 Jul 1661 John Cann 6. Josiah, b. prob. abt. 1643, m. Marshfield, MA Nov 1666 Grace Holloway 7. John, b. Boston 25 Sep 1646, m(1) abt. 1672 Hannah Holloway, m(2) Sarah ___
Children (by Ruth in Boston, MA):
8. William, b. 3 Feb 1654-5 9. Isaac, b. 18 Apr 1656, d. England 1695 10. Ephraim, b. 23 Nov 1657 11. Jonathan, b. 23 Apr 1659, d. 2 Jul 1659 12. Timothy, b. 11 Aug 1660 13. Ruth, b. 7 May 1662, d. 17 Jul 1662 14. Hezekiah, b. 6 Jul 1663 15. Sarah, b. 26 Jun 1665 16. Elizabeth, b. 22 Dec 1666, d. young 17. Elizabeth, b. 22 Apr 1669
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