Richard Kimball (1595-1675)

Richard Kimball — Colonial Wheelwright

     b. 1595,  England 

     d. June 22, 1675 in Ipswich.

     m. 1) Ursula Scott c. 1613

          2) Margaret Cole Dow 23 Oct 1661

Life In England

Little is known about Richard Kimball's life in England.  Richard was born in England around 1595. There is controversy regarding his parentage and where he was born. It’s likely that his parents were Richard and Elizabeth Kimball or Lawford, Essex, but there is also speculation that they were Henry Kimball and Joann Eisely. Whoever his parents were, many in the Kimball Family around Rattlesden were craftsmen such as wheelwrights, and this is the trade that Richard chose to follow.

We also know that he was a Puritan. In April 1634, Richard and his family were one of nine Puritan families that boarded the ship Elizabeth at the port of Ipswich, England bound for the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  

According to Wikipedia, Rattlesden like much of East Anglia, was a hotbed of Puritan sentiment. Puritans had been calling for changes to the Church of England since the 1580s. 

These reformers questioned the status quo of the State church in the middle of the struggle of a rising capitalist middle class against the absolutist state. Many well-to-do Puritans and many thousands more left their English homes not to establish a land of religious freedom, but to practice their own religion without persecution.

Spouse Ursula Scott

Around 1613, Richard married Ursula Scott, daughter of Henry and Martha Whatlock Scott of Rattlesden, a small village in Suffolk. Although no record has been found of the marriage, there is a proof of the marriage and offspring in other documents. 

According to parish records, Ursuley, daughter of Henry and Martha Scoote of Rattlesden, was baptized 14 Feb 1597 at the church of St. Nicholas, Rattlesden.

Historically The Scott family descended from a long line of leatherworkers.  

In his will dated 24 Sep. 1623, Ursula's father, Henry Skott of Rattlesden, yeoman (middle class farmer/land owner) named the following heirs:

• His wife Martha [Whatlock]
• Sons, Roger & Thomas Skott 
• Grandchildren: Abigale, Henrie, Elizabeth, and Richard Kemball

Church of St Nicholas in Rattlesden, courtesy of Wikimedia

Ursula's mother, Martha Whatlock, was the daughter of Thomas and Joan Whatlock.  She was baptized in Rattlesden on 18 July 1568. Her father Thomas was a "Knacker" one who rendered dead farm animals into useful byproducts including glue, bone meal, leather, and tallow.

In his will dated dated 17 May 1607 - Ursula's grandfather, Thomas Whatlock of Rattlesden, knacker named the following heirs: 

• His wife Joan Wahtlock
• Daughter Martha & her husband Henry Scott
• Grandchildren Thomas, Roger, and Ursula
• Sons Roger and Robert

Migration

In 1628, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was established at Salem and in Boston in 1630. Founded by the Puritans, most of the new settlers were prosperous middle-class families; they were highly literate and skilled. They were willing to leave stable economic lives behind in England for an uncertain future in a land where they could worship as they wished.

Marcus Lee Hansen in The Atlantic Migration 1607-1860 wrote: "The Company had no trouble in finding congregational groups willing to go...  The ballad, Summons to New England, was sung on the streets... incredible numbers’ sold their lands; and debtors attempted to get away under the pretext of religion..."

The Kimball family must have caught the New England fever, for they were willing to sell up and leave for the great unknown facing a very difficult voyage to get there. After the decision was made, the first step was to secure a ship.  They made arrangements with William Andrewes, Master of a vessel known as the Elizabeth which was docked in Ipswich harbor.

Also docked in Ipswich was the ship called the Francis, commanded by Master John Cutter. The two captains were planning to sail in tandem to New England. Their ships were well provisioned for a lengthy uncertain voyage.

Word of their intended departure got out, and on February 4, 1634 Henry Dade wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury that the ships intend to sail for New England around March 10th and he suggests they were debtors or religious dissidents. A warrant to stay the departure of the two Ipswich vessels was issued within the week; a few days later, similar steps were taken for the detention of ten other ships lying in the Thames near London; all bound for the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

On the first day of March the stay was lifted with the following conditions:

• Masters were required to enter a bond of One Hundred Pounds
• Passenger using profanity/ taking the Lord's name in vane be severely punished
• Prayers from the Book of Common Prayer be said daily morning & evening
• Only passengers swearing the oath of allegiance be allowed to board
• Upon return to England, the masters certify the names of all passengers

Finally, on April 10, 1634, the ships set sail; the Francis, commanded by Master John Cutter carried 84 passengers and the Elizabeth with 101 passengers, Master William Andrewes at her helm.

In addition to the passengers, the vessel carried farm animals, casks of water and all food for the crossing. The families were responsible for preparing their own meals in metal braziers. All washings were done using salt water to preserve the precious drinking water. Plying the vast Atlantic without further incident they arrived in Boston in July.

On Nov. 1634, John Cutting and William Andrews requested their bonds be returned after presenting the certified list of the passengers, those who took the oath (adults) and those who didn't.

The names and ages of those who took the oath of allegiance.

• Thomas Skott 40

• Elizabeth Skott 40 Wife

• Henery Kemball 44

• Susan Kemball 35 Wife

• Richard Kemball 39

• Vsula Kemball Wife (no age given)

• Martha Scott 60

The names and ages of those who didn't take the oath.

Richard Kemball---------------

• Henry Kemball 15

• Richard Kemball 11

• Mary Kemball 9

• Martha Kemball 5

• John Kemball 3

• Thomas Kemball 1

• John Lauericke 15

Tho. Scott  --------------- Richard's brother-in-law

• Elizabeth Scott 9

• Abigail Scott 7

• Thomas Scott 6

• Isaac Mixer 4

Hen. Kemball ------------- thought to be Richard's brother

• Elizabeth Kemball 4

• Susan Kemball 1yr 6mo.

• Richard Cutting 11 

Thurston Raynor

• Elizabeth Kemball 13 

First Residence - Watertown 

After a short stay in Boston, Richard, Henry and Thomas Scott settled their families in Watertown. Watertown (now a suburb of Boston) was one of the first Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements organized in 1630, the same year as Boston.

Richard obtained a six acre town lot on the Cambridge line, now in the city of Cambridge. Richard was made a Freeman (voter) on May 6, 1635.  This implies that Richard had joined the First Church of Watertown as it was a prerequisite.

He obtained addition lands. According to town records, in 1636, 108 townsmen shared in a division of lands at Beaver brook  "lotted out by the Freemen to all the Townsmen then inhabiting". Listed in the 108 names were Richard and Henry Kemball. He was allocated land in six land divisions, accruing quite a bit of acreage.

Move to Ipswich 

In 1633 a group a settlers led by John Winthop, planted a coastal settlement on the banks of the Ipswich River.  The town of Ipswich grew up along the the banks of the Ipswich River which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Ipswich Bay, a sheltered harbor.

Ipswich was settled in 1633 and has more “First Period” houses (1625-1725) than any other community in America. The Historic Ipswich site has a page honoring Richard and Ursula which displays photos of 6 homes which  were owned by descendants of Richard and Ursula. 

The early residents of Ipswich were farmers, fishermen, shipbuilders, and traders. By the end of 1634, there were at least 110 male settlers. Over the next seven another 200 male immigrants arrived.

John Winthrop, an early settler of Ipswich began recruiting settlers for his new settlement.  Ipswich was in need of a Wheelwright.  They offered Richard a house lot at the west end of town, and on Feb. 23, 1637, Ipswich granted him 40 acres of upland, north of the river, and in 1639 was granted the right to pasture 2 cows free.

In 1637 Richard and his family moved north to the coastal town of Ipswich, MA. His oldest son Henry remained in Watertown. His brother Henry remained in Watertown as well where he died in 1648. Ursula's brother Thomas Scott also relocated from Cambridge to Ipswich.

Richard was a wheelwright by trade, a craftsman who made wooden wheels for wagons and carriages. Wheelwrights also built or repaired carts, wheelbarrows and wagons. Wheelwrights possessed great knowledge of the properties of timber.  It was a craft passed down from father to son; master to apprentice.  

Like many of the early settlers, Richard was an artisan; his livelihood did not depend solely on agriculture. But even artisans, would have to supplement their income by growing corn, keeping cattle, chickens, and the obligatory pig or two. 

The wheelwright had to obtain his supply of timber, oak obtained locally during late spring and early summer, and ash, beech and elm during the winter. The Timber would remain uncut until winter, when it would be cut and then left to season for another five or six years before finally reaching the work bench.

His services as wheelwright were appreciated by his townspeople, for he was permitted in January, 1649, "to fell such White Oaks as he hath occasion to use about his trade for the town use." He was granted additional rights to fell oak trees in 1660 and 1666.

Richard involved himself in his new community. He held many positions and his name was recorded on multiple land records. 

Footbridge circa 1900. Photo by Arthur Wesley Dow

In 1641 Richard Kimball was one of the Commoners of Ipswich. He was appointed a selectman in 1645. In 1664, he was noted as one of the proprietors of Plum Island, owner of 43 shares.

On October 22, 1647 the town of Ipswich paid him two Pounds for killing two foxes. In 1653 he assign to a committee of three to survey fences in the common fields.

Ipswich riverfront c. 1906

In December 1648, he contributed three shillings (his annual proportion) for the service of their military leader, Major David Dennison.

In September, 1652, he was one of the appraisers of the estate of John Cross. When his brother-in-law, Thomas Scott, died Feb. 1654 he was joint executor with Edmund Bridges.

Family Life 

On Saturday's as required by the General Court, Richard would have mustered with the local militia with his personal weapon, a musket and gun powder.  

On Sunday's Church attendance was mandatory. Those that missed church regularly were subject to a fine. The sermon became a means of addressing town problems or concerns. 

Every family member that was able helped with the chores. Fields needed to be cleared of rocks and trees. Houses were small and cold in the winter with little privacy. Bathrooms were of course outside. Cooking was done over an open fire. Typical meals included wild game, peas, corn and squash during the growing season. Winter was especially difficult with the colonists having to survive on what they grew in the previous summer.

Richard was literate. The Puritans placed a special emphasis on reading scripture, and their commitment to literacy led to the establishment of the first printing press in English America in 1636. Following his death Richard's books were valued at 6 shillings.

In addition to their children born in England, Ursula gave birth to 3 children in New England.  Around 1635, while living in Watertown, Ursula gave birth to a son named Caleb. After moving to Ipswich, Ursula gave birth to Benjamin around 1637 and Sarah around 1639.  Little else is known about Ursula. 

Court Records 

There are a number of court records of Richard and his family. I'm choosing to only give the most fun one. In September, 1649 the Essex Court admonished a group of young people including son-in-law Joseph Fowler [Martha’s husband], sons John and Thomas Kimball and nephew Thomas Scott for going into the woods at night with their wives and friends with liquor "shouting and singing".

In the early 1650's, Richard Kimball and Richard Shatswell engaged in a prolonged feud suing each other for slander, debt, and trespassing.

A Death and a Marriage 

It is believed that Ursula died around 1659 when she was around 62 years old. There is no record of her death, but it would have been before Oct. 23, 1661 when Richard married a second to Margaret Cole Dow, widow of Henry Dow. He would have been about 67.

Memorial at St Nicholas Churchyard in Rattlesden

Richard must have felt the weight of his age; he wrote his will March 5, 1675. Richard died June 22, 1675 in Ipswich. Margaret died the succeeding spring, March 1, 1676. The couple were together 14 years; they had no children.  

Richard Kimball was well to do; the inventory of his estate, which was taken July 12, 1675, and returned to court Sept. 28, 1675, amounted to £737 3s. 6d.

Children of Richard & Ursula 

The Kimballs were more fortunate than most who lived in the 17th century, as they had eleven known children who all lived to adulthood.  Sources credit the couple with two additional children who died young (Alexander, born in 1614, and Ursula, born in 1619). All but the youngest three children were born in England.

Henry 
     b. 1615 Rattlesden, England; baptized 12, Aug, 1615 in Rattlesden
     d. 3 May 1676 Wenham, MA
     m. 1) Mary Riddlesdale and 2) Elizabeth Black [Gilbert Rayner] 

     baptized 12 August 1615, Rattlesden

     estate inventory was taken 16 June 1676     

Abigail [Severans]
     b. c. 1617 Rattlesden, England 
     d. June 17, 1658 in Salisbury, Mass. 
     m. John Severans; probably married in England as she
         did not immigrate on the same ship with her family

     baptized 5 November 1617, Hitcham, Suffolk, England

Elizabeth 
     b. c. 1621  Rattlesden, England 
     d. after 5 March 1674/75 when she was mentioned in her father’s will. 
     m. If she married, the name of her husband hasn’t been found

Richard
     b. c. 1623,  Rattlesden, England 
     d. May 26, 1676, in Wenham, Mass.
     m. 1) Mary ? possibly Cooley 2) Mary Morris Mansfield

Mary [Dutch]
     b. c. 1625  Rattlesden, England
     d. 12 Jul 1686, Ipswich, Massachusetts
     m. Robert Dutch (born 1625) c1646.

Martha [Fowler Rogers]
     b. c. 1629  Rattlesden, England
     m. 1) Joseph Fowler (1622-1676); who was killed by Indians; 2) Ezekiel Rogers

     d. 16 May 1677, Ipswich, Massachusetts; 

John    -- this is my line
     b. c. 1631  Rattlesden, England
     d. 6 May 1698 Ipswich, Essex County, MA 
     m. Mary Bradstreet (1633-1690)- immigrated on the same ship 

Thomas 
     b. 1631  c. Rattlesden, England
     d. 2 May 1676, Rowley (now Bradford), Essex, Mass.in an Indian attack;  
     m. Mary Smith

Caleb

     b. c. 1635 Watertown, MA
     d.  before 23 September 1682, when his estate inventory was taken, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts
     m. Ann Hazeltine 7 November 1660, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts.

Benjamin
     b. 12 May 1637 Ipswich, MA
     d.  9 April 1688
     m. Mercy Hazeltine, 16 Apr 1661, Salisbury, Massachusetts

Sarah [Allen] 
     b. c. 1639  Ipswich, MA
     d.  12 June 1696 Suffield, CT
     m. Edward Allen,24 Nov 1658, Ipswich, Mass.

His Will - Ipswich Deeds, vol. IV, p.12

The last will and Testament of Richard Kimball senr of Ipswich in Essex in new England who although weake in body yet of prfect memory doe dispose of my lands & estate in maner & form as followeth.

To my Loveinge wife my will is that she shall dwell in my house and have the Improvement of my ground and meadow belonging thereto with the use and increase of my whole stock of cattle, one whole yeare after my decease, and then at the years end, the forty pound due to her acording to contract at marriage to be payd her and that hous-hold stuff she brought with her. And to have liberty to live in the parlor end of the house, the roome we now lodge in: and liberty for her necessary vse of some part of sellar: also the liberty of
one cow in the pasture, the executors to provide winter meate for the same, and to have a quarter part of the fruit of the orchard, and firewood as long as she lives ther., And if she desire to remove to her owne house, then to be sett in it with what she have by my executors and to be alowed forty shillings yearly as long as shee lives. 

And to my Eldest son Henry, my will is to give him three score and ten pounds to bee payd Twenty pounds, a year & half after my decease, & the remaining part in the two years following after that.

To my son Richard I give fforty pounds.

To my son John I give twenty pounds.

To my son Thomas I give Twenty five pounds to bee payd two years and
a halfe after my decease, and to his children I give seaven pounds
to be devided equally among them and paid as they come of age or at
day of marriage. provided if any dye before then their share to be
distributed equally amongst the rest.

And to my son Benjamin, besides the two oxen, allready received I
give the sum of twenty five pounds, ten pound to be payd a yeare and
halfe after my decease. The rest the two years ffollowing, also to
his children I give five pounds, equally to be devyded, and payd, as
they come of age, or at day of marriage, in case any dye before,
that part to be equally divided to the rest.

And to my son Caleb I give that peace of land knowne by the name of
Tings lott, and all my land att Wattells neck with my marsh at the
hundreds knowne by the name of Wiatts marsh, and all my working
tools exsept two axes, all to be delivered present after my discease
also I give fourteene pounds to his seaven children equally to be
devided, to be payd as they come of age or at Day of manage and if
any dye before, that part to be equally devided amongst the rest.

To my son-in-law John Severns, I give ten pounds to be pay'd two
yeares & a halfe after my decease. 

And to my Daughter Elizabeth, I give thirty pounds, ten pound to be payd, a year & halfe after my decease, and the other two parts, the two following years after that.

To my Daughter Mary I give ten pounds, five pound to be payd a year
& halfe after my decease, the other five pound the year after that.

To my daughter Sarah I give forty pound, five pound to be payd the
yeare & halfe after my decease and the rest five pound a yeare till
it be all payd, also to her children I give seaven pounds ten
shilhngs to be payed to them as they come of age or at day of
marriage, if any dye before, that part to be equally devyded to the
rest. And to my daughter Sarah above sd; I also give the bed I lye on with
the furniture after one years use of it by my wife.

To my wives children viz. Thomas, Jerimiah, and Mary. [step children]
To Thomas and Mary I give forty shillings apeece to be payd a yeare
& halfe after my decease, and to Jerimiah I give fifteene pounds to
be payd at the age of one & twenty. I give also eight pounds to the
two Eldest daughters of Gyes Gowes (that he had by his first wife)
to be payd and equally devided to them at the age of sixteene, if
either of them dye before then the whole to be given to that that
remaines.

I also give four pounds to my couzen Haniell Bossworth, 

And doe ordaine & apoynt my two sons above sd. Richard and John Kimball 
to be my lawfull and sole executors. And my Couzen Haniell Bosworth
above sayd to be my overseer that this my last will and Testament be
duely and truly performed And thus I conclude with setting too my hand and seale the fifth of march 1674-5. Richard Kemball & a mark and a seale.

My Relationship to Richard Kimball

Me             - Margaret Gates Sasser

Mother         - Bertha Melaine Reppel [Gates Corrao]

grandmother    - Bertha McDowell [Reppel] 1906-1963

G-grandmother  - Bertha Knowles [McDowell] 1880-1966

2G-grandfather - Jesse "Jake" Knowles 1842-1919

3G-grandmother - Cynthia Kimball [Knowles] 1809-1865

4G-grandfather - Jesse Kimball Pvt. 1760-1857

5G-grandfather - John Kimball 1731-1809

6G-grandfather - Isaac Kimball 1705-1745

7G-grandfather - John Kimball 1667-1761

8G-grandfather - John Kimball 1631-1698

9G-grandfather - Richard Kimball Sr. 1595-1675