Holbrook line: Thomas Marsh 1651-1725

The Marsh family loved Hingham, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, or at least they liked it well enough to stay there for several generations.  Thomas's paternal grandparents, George and Elizabeth Key Marsh, and his maternal grandfather, John Beal, were early immigrants to the town.  His parents, Thomas and Sarah Beal Lincoln, were also immigrants who may have known each other before they arrived in America.  They were married in Hingham, Plymouth Colony, in 1649, and our Thomas was born two years later, on December 4, 1651. 

 Hingham is at the very north of what used to be Plymouth Colony, and is now considered part of the South Shore of Boston.  It was a good place to raise a family, and to grow a colony.  It was right on the coast so there was ample fishing and sea food available, and probably docks and wharves for small ships to trade.  There was much to keep a young boy busy and happy.  Sadly, Thomas Senior died when our Thomas was just six years old, so he and his siblings had to adjust to a new way of life.  Five years later, there was another adjustment, as his mother remarried to Edmund Sheffield.  He was a widower with nine  children, and another three children were born while Thomas was likely still part of the household, unless he had been sent to another home to learn a trade, which is possible.  

Thomas was a man of good reputation and if not well to do, at least one of the wealthier people in town.  He was made a freeman in 1677, two years after his marriage to Sarah Lincoln, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Langer Lincoln, also of Hingham.  The couple had six children together.  We are told that he lived on his father's homestead on North Street, so he likely inherited that parcel. A picture on the Hingham Wikipedia page shows a home that was built in 1640 and is still extant, and the Marsh home may have been similar to this one.  

Thomas was chosen as a selectman for at least four years in the 1690s and early 1700s.  He likely also held other positions at various times, but I've been unable to locate further information.  It is also likely that he was a member of the local church, which was led for many years by Peter Hobart.  The church he would have attended, the Old Ship Church, was built in 1681 and is the oldest Puritan meeting house in America.  Thomas would have contributed funds or supplies during the building process.  

Thomas's name is also listed on a petition of February, 1708/09, stating that "Mahitabel Warren" has been afflicted for many years, that she is a widow and that she believes that "God gave her a sanctified improvement of his afflictive hand to her".  This petition is protesting her innocence as she has apparently been accused or charged with witchcraft.  This would have been 16-17 years after the Salem witchcraft trials and perhaps his particular part of New England had learned a lesson.  

I've not been able to find any mention of Thomas's actions during King Philip's War, or in any of the subsequent wars that our ancestors endured.  I will keep looking, as I find new sources.  I also have not found his will.  He died March 23, 1725 according to Cohassett records, where he is noted as being of Hingham, and "Aged man".  Cohasset and Hingham were adjoining towns.  If he died in Cohasset, he may have been there on business, or possibly living with a child during his last months or years.  If he lived with a child, that may be why no will has been found.  He may have given his estate away prior to his death.  His widow, Sarah, lived until 1738, so it seems that he would have made provision for her.  The search continues.

The line of descent is

Thomas Marsh-Sarah Lincoln

Thomas Marsh-Mary Burr

Deborah Marsh-Isaac Lazell

Deborah Lazell-Levi Rockwood

Susanna Rockwood-Nahum Holbrook

Joseph Holbrook-Mary Elizabeth Whittemore

Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown

Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard

Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen

Their descendants