Ezra Perry and Elizabeth Burgess

My tree is oozing with pilgrims and early settlers and I couldn't be happier. I am very proud to have such deep roots in America history, with thanksgiving right around the corner decided it's a great time to profile some of them, and learn as I go along.

Ezra Perry was born in 1627 in Bridford, Devonshire, England, too much conflicting information on his parents so I won't include it here. 

Elizabeth Burgess was born around 1629 daughter of Thomas and Dorothy Waynes Burgess.

Ezra and Elizabeth were married Feb 12 1651/52 (conflicting sources) in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts. They had seven children born in Sandwich.

1. Ezra m. Rebecca Freeman

2. Deborah m. Seth Pope

3. John m. Elizabeth Williamson (my line) 

4. Sarah m. Ephraim Swift

5. Samuel m. Esther Tabor

6. Benjamin m. Dinah Swift

7. Remembrance m. Jonathan Tobey

Some mentions of Ezra in various town records:

1644-pledged 9 shillings to repair of Sandwich meeting house

1654-April 5- Thomas and Dorothy Burgess sold Ezra half a tract of land at Mannomett

1655-May 20 pledged 5 shillings for building of a meeting house in Sandwich.

1657-listed as lieutenant in the militia

1663-July 10 1663 his father in law (Thomas Burgess) deeded land at Manamet to him. Thomas had purchased the land from Myles Standish, Myles had purchased the land from Josias(a Nauset Sachem) the area was called Herring River Village in North Sandwich, it adjoined land where Ezra had his home.

1671-on committe to view damage done by Indians to horses/hogs belonging to the English.

1671-appointed to go with James Skiffee to look at upland and meadow that James wanted to exchange with the town.

1674 and 1677- served on grand inquest juries

1679- appointed constable

1684-April. Thomas Burgess bequeathed two lots of land to Ezra. Ezra was a co-executor along with his brother in law Joseph Burgess.

Ezra died oct 16 1689 at the age of 64 in Sandwich. His stone is one of the oldest surviving stones at the Old Towne Cemetery in Sandwich.

Inscription reads

Here lyes the body

Of Ezra perry

Aged 64 years

Died Octo Ye 16

1689

The Mayflower Descendant published a transcription of Ezra Perry’s will which was written in on 16 October 1689, the day of his death:

The will of "Ezra Perry Snr of of manument and Towne of Sandwich" made 16 October, 1689, after providing that his body be buried "at ye ordinary place of burring," disposes of his estate as follows: "All my outward moveables, with out doars and with in doars to my truly and well beloved wife, as my true undoubted and Lawful Executrix .... to dispose of at her pleasure Excepting what I Leave and bequeath to my well beloved Son Samuel Perry that is two stiers of two and one heifer of four years, one mare Coult one Bed and furniture be Longing thereto one gun one Sword and Bandaleers one Iron pot, to my well beloved Son Benjamin Perry two Cowes two steeres about three years old one bed- and its ffurniture one gun one Sword To my Daughter Remember too Cows one bed and its ffurniture, one meare and all her Increse, also to my Son Ezra one Shilling To John Perry my Son one Shilling to Deborah my Daughter wife to Seth Pope one Shilling To Sarah wife to Epharim Swift one Shilling"

The will was signed by a mark. It was witnessed by Jacob Burge (who made his mark) and James Steuart, and probated 18 April 1690.

The inventory, taken 24 October 1689, by Elisha Bourne and Nathaniel Wing, was sworn to by "Elizabeth Perry ye Relict of ye above sd Ezra Perry" on 18 April 1690. The will and inventory were recorded 22 April 1690 by Joseph Lothrop, recorder.

Elizabeth died sep 26 1717 at 88 years old, buried next to her husband.

Inscription reads:

Here lyes Ye

Body of Elizabeth

Perry wife to

Ezra Perry

Aged 88 years 

Died Sept'r Ye

26th 1717

Ezra and Elizabeth are my 10th great grandparents.