An American Family History

Henry Batcheller was born in England early in the 17th century. His brothers were Joseph Batcheller and John Batcheller. He was a brewer.

He came to America with his wife, Martha and four servants. They settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Martha and Henry did not have children. They came at the same time as his brother, Joseph,

They were Quakers.

In 1639, the town of Ipswich granted him 60 acres of upland and 20 acres of meadow near Hurttlebury Hill. He had to give up 50 acres, formerly granted to him in the West Meadows and stay in the town.

In 1641 he was on the list of commoners in Ipswich who signed an agreement about the number of cows for each bull on the Ipswich common land.

Like most men in Ipswich, he was a member of the local militia. In October, 1643 he was

of such as have forfeited, for not returning their Powder according to ann order of the Town.

In 1645 he sold Thomas Knowlton a six acre lot on the hill on the north side of the river.

Since they were Quakers, they were persecuted for their religion. There was no difference between church and state in Puritan Ipswich. Eventually the town of Ipswich took their land because they did not attend the usual public meetings. The land was placed in trust with Nathaniel Treadwell and John Warner.

In March, 1654, Henry was presented to the court and had to pay fees and costs. In May, 1660 he was fined for being absent from a public meeting. In September of that hear he was fined 5£ and court costs for his absense from worship.

On February 14, 1664, Henry was assigned share 13 in the division of Plum Island, Castle Neck and Hog (now Choote) Island.

Martha died on April 4, 1686.

Henry died on February 2, 1679. Nathaniel Treadwell, John Warner, and John Batchelder administrators of his estate.

His estate was distributed in 1697. His brother, Joseph's, children,
John, Elizabeth and Hannah, and his brother John's children each inherited 11£ 13s and a share of the remainder of his farm. Joseph's children sold their share.

Cattle were vital to a household and an important legacy. Unweaned cattle are calves. Female cattle are heifers and cows (had a calf). Male cattle are steers (castrated) and bulls. Oxen are trained draft animals and are often castrated adult male cattle.

Old Style Calendar Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.

from Batchelder, Batcheller Genealogy, 1898 by Frederick Pierce

Henry Batcheller (brother of Joseph), b. in England; m. there Martha; d. April 4, 1686. in Ipswich. The town record reads, "Widdow Batcheldor dyed, 1686."

He settled in Ipswich in 1639. His farm was purchased May 14, 1696, by his nephew, Samuel Corning, of the admr. Nathaniel Treadwell and John Warner.

Henry Bachelor, a brewer, from Dover, Co. Kent, came over in 1636, with wife, Martha and four servants and settled at Ipswich. Died Feb. 2, 1679, and his wife died April 4, 1686. It is known that he did not leave any children. In his will he makes mention of the children of his brother John. His brother Joseph and family came over with him in 1636. He calls Joseph his youngest brother.

The following data relating to him is taken from the Ipswich town records: 1639.

Granted to Mr. Batcheler sixty acres of upland and twenty of meadow near Hurttlebury hill joining upon the land betwixt Ipswich and Rowley upon his relinquishing of 50 acres, formerly granted to him in the West Meadows and upon his staying in the town years, to be laid out by John Perkins, Senr. [1583], Jo: Tuttle and John Gage.

1639, 7th 1 2th. Granted at a general meeting to Edward Browne thirty acres of upland, adjoining to Rowley line and the southeast end of Mr. Bachelour's farm, to be laid out bv Mr. Tuttle, Mr. Wilson and the lot-layers.

In an agreement about the number of cows for each bull [upon the commons] "Bacheler" is with 42 other names. 1641. Henry Bachellor is on the list "of such as are comoners."

October, 1643. Henry Bacheller was "of such as have forfeited, for not returning their Powder according to ann order of the Town

1647. Edward Browne is allowed to exchange his land "near Henry Batcheldours" to join Joseph Metcalf .

14 Feb., 1664. "Henry Bachelor" had share No. 13 in the division of Plum-Island, Castle-Neck, and Hog [now Choote, Rufus Choate b. there] Island. On "a list of those that have right of commonage according to law and order in this town," "Henry Bachelors farme" is found.

It appears by the General Court records and the County Court records that he was of the Society of Friends, aud that he and his wife were often arraigned because they did not attend the usual public meetings. March, 1654.

Henry Batcheller, upon his presentment, is discharged and his wife had a legal admonition and is discharged, paying their fees and charges of the witnesses.

September, 1660. Henry Batcheller for his absence from the publique meetings on the Lord's Day is fined for 20 days, £5 and fees of court.

See also May, 1660. Subsequently the town of Ipswich were empowered to take their lands from them and place in trust, because they did not attend the publique worship. The property was placed in the hands of Nathaniel Treadwell and John Warner. These two persons, with his brother Joseph's son John, settled the estate. His inventory is dated Feb. 6, 1678.

July, 1679, a list of debts due the estate of Henry Batchelder, of Salem, was presented to the Probate Court. In the list was John Batchelder £42 2 3. The document mentions his brother John. The inventory of his estate was returned to the Essex Co. Probate Court Sept. 30, 1679. See Vol. 305, p. 173. Essex Co. Probate Records. Old Series, Book 5. July, 1694, to November, 1697. Vol. 305. p. 209.

Colonel Gedney Esqr. & Judge of probate of Wills for the County of Essex Cur. Honored Sn. according to the commission that wee received From your Self of making a division of the Farme of Henry Bachilder which Commission beareth date May -25th 1696 Cu. Cu

Accordingly we went upon the place & Firstly laid out So much Land as we accounted worth Forty Shillings to the administrator and then viewed the Rest of the land that thereby we might make the quantity according to the quality & So made a division of the Rest of the land not Sold by the administrator.

Between the children of Joseph Bachilder & John Bachilder & then made a division of that part which is for the children of John Bachilder & bounded them parts by Stakes and trees: which parts & divisions Run Cross the farme & are equally For quantity being thirteen rod & twelve Foot on the north west Side of the Farm & Eight rods & ten Foot on the Southeast Side & the half moiety or right of Comonage we do appoint to the children of John Bachilder John Bachilder

& as to that part which we laid out for the Children of Joseph Bachilder we made no division it being Sold by those children to Joseph Knolton

& this division was made the Eleventh day of August 1696

& to this we Sett to our hands & Seals this First day of October 1696.
Simon Stacey & a Seal.
Nathl. Knoulton & a Seal.
John Warner & a Seal.

Which Returned is allowed Cur. Examd. &. I. C. Regr. Henry's farm covered 300 or 500 acres. The ground is from Bullbrook to "the old gate." I do not know the width, except near the west end — "the old gate." The old cellar where his house stood is hardly more than a hole like a cup grassed over with an apple tree of considerable size in it. The old cellar is 3 miles out from Ipswich Center and the spot is well overgrown with small wood.

He d. in Ipswich, Feb. 2, 1678-9, s. p.; res. Ipswich, Mass.