Holbrook line: Thomas Silver, Immigrant

Pulling these immigrant stories together is never easy.  Either there is too much information, or not enough information, or both.  This is a case of too much information (Thomas cannot have two sets of parents, and he can't have been born in two separate locations), but then there is too little information about his life in America. I hope he will be researched further and some of the mysteries of his life answered.

So, Thomas Silver was born about 1622 in Ropley, Hampshire England, possibly the son of Thomas Silver, or he was born in 1622 at Newbury, Berkshire, England, the son of Thomas Silver and Elinor Backster.  (This second record is from www.genealogieonline.netherlands, which is generally an accurate source).  Newbury at the time of Thomas's birth was a cloth town, meaning that wool was produced here, including what was possibly the first factory in England, and so it is likely that there were sheep farmers here, too.  I don't know which, if either, would be a more likely occupation for Thomas's father, but most likely the family was not well to do.

Thomas came to Massachusetts Bay Colony as a young man.  He would have been about 15 when he arrived at Ipswich in 1637, so he likely came over as an indentured servant and may have had to serve his master for several years.  I've not located records to support this, and it's possible he went to a relative's home but I've not found that, either.  We do know that he stayed in Ipswich just a few years. 

By 1641 he was in Newbury, in what became Essex County, and there he stayed for the rest of his life.  He had rights in the commons to one cattle, in 1641, and he was on a list of freeholders in 1642.  Had had a house lot by 1645 and apparently shared in other land divisions, also, although the "History of Newbury, Massachusetts 1635-1902" was not clear on that.  He is on a list of persons who took an oath of allegiance in 1678, which was tied up in politics as well as a simple statement of loyalty to King Charles II. 

Thomas, according to the genealogieonline website mentioned above, married Mary Thomas, probably before 1645, in Newbury.  Mary must have died soon, perhaps in childbirth, and he married Katherine Coker on August 16, 1649.  Our line of descent is through Mary, so it would be nice to learn more about her.  Thomas and Mary's daughter, Mary, would have several half brothers and sisters, as Thomas and Katherine's family grew. 

Until Thomas's death, this is all I have been able to learn.  I don't know his occupation, or his religion, or any civil offices he might have held.  I don't know how he might have been affected by King Philip's War.  Katherine died in July 23, 1665, and we have no record of a third marriage.  I wonder how Thomas cared for his children?  Did Mary, as the oldest daughter (20, at the time) take over this responsibility?  She had married in 1664, so she had responsibilities of her own. Thomas died September 6, 1682.  I have a copy of his inventory but it's not very readable.  All that I can make out is that apparently his estate was valued at 104 pounds, which was modest for the time. 

This is what we know of Thomas.  He was courageous, to come to America when such a young man.  He worked to support his family.  He suffered the loss of two wives.  He lived in some sort of relationship with his neighbors, as he signed petitions with them.  He was a freeholder, (landowner) and therefore likely paid taxes of some sort.  "And further, I say not".

The line of descent is"

Thomas Silver-Mary Thomas
Mary Silver-Robert Robinson
Mary Robinson-Abraham Foster
Nathan Foster-Hannah Standish
Nathan Foster-Elizabeth Lansford
Jude Foster-Lydia M
Betsy Foster-Josiah Whittemore
Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph R Holbrook
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants

Holbrook line: Thomas Estance, Immigrant

I'm not sure I should be writing this post, since so little is known about Thomas, but maybe just by pointing out all the inconsistancies I'm finding about him, it will inspire someone to actually look at the records and figure out which is truth and which is unproven. 

Thomas's last name may have been Esten when he arrived in the Colonies.  He may have been born anywhere from 1600 to 1613, and he may have died anywhere between 1691 and 1708.  It is believed that he was born either in Swansea, Wales, or possibly somewhere in Herefordshire, England.  Documents, of course, have not yet been found to verify either location.  His parents are thought to be Richard Estaen and Agnes Underwood, but again, I've not seen the records to indicate that. 

We don't know when he came to America although it is believed to have been before 1651.  His wife was Ann  Thomas, which may be a good Welsh name.  Again, the marriage may have taken place on either side of the ocean, as far as is known now.  However, most sources say that thee of their four known children were born in Swansea, Massachusetts, which is just across the state line from Rhode Island, where they eventually settled . The birthdate of one daughter, Bridget, is typically given as 1628 and if this is correct, and the birth dates of the other children are correct, that opens up the possibility that Bridget was the child of an as yet unknown first marriage, becaue the other birth dates re from 1645 to 1651.

We do find brief mention of Thomas in Swansea, Massachusetts, where he was one of the earliest settlers, in 1653.  The town was not actually official until 1667, and we don't know exactly when Thomas left Swansea, nor why.  Swansea was formed by Baptists and the Baptist religion was strong in Providence, so possibly Thomas left Swansea, as a Baptist, before that community was really formed.  (This is entirely speculation on my part.  His reason for moving across the lines of the two colonies may have been for better land, or because his business, whatever that might have been, would do better in Providence, or for family reasons, or any number of other explanations,) 

The Estances and the Hardings are thought to have moved to Providence, rhode Island, about 1664. Ten years later, Thomas sold to Stephen Harding, his son in law, one fourth interest in the right of common in the undivided lands of Providence.  We don't know what happened to the family during King Phlip's War but there were only a few families that stayed in Providence  By now, Thomas would have been at least years old and perhaps approaching 75, so it is likely that he and his wife took shelter somewhere else while the war continued.  In 1682, he swore an oath of allegiance at Providence, so we know the family returned.  By the use of the term "swearing", we can assume he was not influenced by his Quaker neighbors. 

And again, the death dates for Thomas vary from 1691 to 1708, when there was some activity on his estate.  The best date I can find is February 20, 1698 but if that is correct, I don't know why it took 10 years for his estate to be probated.  I would love to find those records.  They might explain a good deal, but even if they explained just one of the mysteries surrounding this (possible) Welshman, it would still be a startling and welcome find.

Thomas, and Ann, I salute you for your courage, your hard work, and your religious beliefs.  Thank you for your contribution to what became our country. 

The line of descent is:

Thomas Estance-possibly Ann Thomas
Bridget Estance-Stephen Harding
Abraham Harding-Deborah Gardner
Mercy Harding-Samuel Winsor
Joseph Winsor-Deborah Mathewson
LillisWinsor-Nathan Paine
Deborah Paine-Enos Eddy
Joseph Eddy-Susan Lamphire
Susan Eddy-Hiran Stanard
Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick
Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants