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Note: Dennis CASS - Apr 18, 2006 Viewers | Reply to this item Just thought you might be interested in some info on the Mary Birch family tree.
While the connection has not been absolutely established between the Birches of Birch Hamlet in Rusholme Township, Manchester Parish in Lancashire County, England, and the Thomas Birch, Burtch or Burch who came to this country from England about 1637 and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, there is believed to be little, if any, doubt that he came from this county and parish in England, and that he is the one from whom the Birch, Burtch, or Burch families in the United States, are descended.
1--THOMAS BIRCH
Was an original emigrant, who settled at Dorchester, Mass., and while he is believed to have come over in 1637, the first recorded account of his activities is in connection with the Will of a neighbor, dated July 25, 1649. On February 2, 1650 he is mentioned as an appraiser of the estate of one Col. Israel Stoughton. He was a blacksmith by trade, and in 1651 was paid 4 shillings for iron work done on "the meeting-house."
His Will, dated June 4, 1654, is as follows:
"I appoint Mr. Nathaniel Patton, John Pearse, senior, and John Minott to take care of my children and estate; for the land I would have none of it to be sold. I give all my estate to my children only; for my man, Richard, I would have him serve out his time, and then that his indenture should be pformed and besides I give his 40s. I give to me daughter Mary, �8 more than her pporcon towards the bringing her up, and to me sonne Jeremiah 40s, for his bringing up, more than his pporcon. I would have my estate divided into seven parts and then Joseph to have two parts, the other five ppt to the other five children after the former legacies are satisfied. I would have my son Joseph to be my owne Trade."
He died May 8, 1657. In Boston, on May 22, 1657, Administration was granted to John Gurnel and John Minot in behalfe of the children of the said Burch. The Inventory, on Oct. 27, 1657, amounted to �170, 11s, 11d.
No mention is made of his wife in his Will or elsewhere, and she is believed to have died prior to the date of the Will.
On January 31, 1664, the Administrator asked the Court that the whole estate be turned over to Joseph Birch, then 21 years of age, he to provide for the other children.
(The above from Pope's "Pioneers of Massachusetts.")
As to Thomas Birch's children, we find several interesting items, as follows:
"9th. 11th. mo. 1664. Joseph Burch has liberty to entertain his brother, Lewis, till the selectmen give further orders."
"14. 2. 1673. Jonathan Birch was summoned for residing in Dorchester when he had "been at Lanchester about fower months." and was ordered to depart the town. (Dorchester Records.)
(There seemed to have been a law to prevent very much moving about, and when one declared his place of residence he was supposed to stay there.)
In 1667 Thomas Birch of Dorchester was paid for killing two wolves in town. He served in King Philip's War, and settled in Swansea. He married Bathsheba Sanford, Jan. 24, 1684.
"20. 2. 1669." The Selectmen of Dorchester "rounded up" all the young men who were not under family government and gave them an "admonition." Among the 17 culprits were Joseph, Jonathan and Thomas Birch. Joseph, indeed, got many a warning from the Selectmen for idleness and drinking. At one time he answered, "he had noe yron nor Coles" but "he would endeavor to reform."
From the Will and the foregoing items we cull:
Joseph Birch, eldest son, born 1642/3.
Jonathan Birch, second son.
Thomas Birch.
Lewis Birch.
JEREMIAH BIRCH.
Mary Birch, eldest daughter, and
..... Birch, second daughter.
SOURCE: A Burch Book
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