Genealogical and Personal Memoirs edited by William Richard Cutter
(I) Henry Silsby [Silsbee, Silsbey], immigrant ancestor, was born in England, about 1618. He was an inhabitant of Salem, Massachusetts, as early as 1638, a shoemaker by trade. He was one of the proprietors of the town of Salem in 1639, but soon afterward removed to Ipswich where he was a proprietor in 1647. He bought a house in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1653, and another in 1670.
The records show that he was employed by Samuel Sharpe when he first came to New England, and as Sharpe came in 1629 Silsby may have come early with him as an apprentice.
In 1639 he had his first land grant, a half-acre for a house lot near Cat Coue (Cove). Silsby bought the house of Thomas Coates, of Lynn, of Obadiah Flud (Flood), of Boston, and Thomas Coates, of Lynn. October 16, 1651. This house was on Stag's brook, now Fayette street, a few doors cast of Essex street.
Though he held few public offices he must have been a man of good education and ability, for he often served as witness, overseer and appraiser in the settlement of estates. It was voted by the church, January 8, 1692, that he sit in the deacon's seat in church.
His will was dated March 17, 1698-99, and proved December 16, 1700. His first wife Dorothy died September 27, 1667. He married, second, Grace Eaton, November 18, 1680. She was the widow of Jonas Eaton, of Reading.
Children:
1. Henry [Silisbee]
2. Nathaniel, born 1651, married. November 5. 1671, Deborah Tompkins.
3. Mary, married, August 15, 1664, Lackery Marsh.
4. John, married, February 15, 1673, Bethia Pitman.
5. Jonathan, married February 1. 1673, Bethia Marsh.
6. Samuel, married, July 4, 1676, Mary Biscoe.
7. Ephraim.
8. Hannah, married, December 2,1680, Thomas Laughton.
9. Sarah, married, February 25, 1682, Joseph Collins.
