Family:William Fletcher and Sarah Richardson (1)

Source:Fletcher, Edward H. Fletcher Family History : The Descendants of Robert Fletcher of Concord, Mass lists 14 children for this couple, of which records are found for only 8. In addition, there are some people that think Remembrance, the wife of Edward Foster, is also a child. In addition, some researchers believe the Lydia who married Pelatiah Adams belonged to a different family. So, one wonders what this arrangement is based on, as no justification is given. Although a will of the father is referenced, all that is mentioned is that it was "registered", and there is no sign that it was part of the evidence. Source:Snow, Nora Emma. Snow-Estes Ancestry pretty much parrots Fletcher with no added insight provided. The father died intestate, so there was no will, but investigation of the probate of the father names 13 children, adding Remebrance Foster as their daughter, shows Lydia married Edward Spauding not Peletiah Adams, provides no mention of Reuben or Bethiel (for which no birthdate or other details are given in the Fletcher Genealogy), and provides evidence of changes to the birth order, and marriages of several of the daughters.

1. ↑ Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Massachusetts: Essex Institute, 1914)
   228.

   Flecher, William, s. William, and Sarah Richardson, d. Josiah, Sept. 19, 1677.

2.   Fitzpatrick, Marilyn. "Abraham Parker of Bradford Massachusetts and Family", in The Essex Genealogist (Massachusetts). (Lynnfield, Massachusetts: Essex Society of Genealogists)
   Vol. 25, p. 83.

   [These documents represent the conveying of the estate of Ezekiel to his brother Josiah. Ezekiel apparently had no children so the estate would be split between his brothers and sisters, and this identifies some of those. Clearly some are not mentioned. This may be due to those siblings choosing not to participate, or perhaps some consolidation already occurred by other conveyances, or for the grandchildren, perhaps certain individuals received the entire share as their designated legacy from their parent. However, these documents suggest some major issues with the traditional list of children given to William and Sarah. In particular, it adds a daughter Remembrance, and Lydia appears to have married Edward Spaulding instead of Pelatiah Adams (correcting Edward H. Fletcher, Snow-Estes, and Richardson Memorial, at least). The source citing these deeds is only interested in Joseph and Rebecca (Fletcher) Parker, i.e., a sister to Ezekiel, so beyond proving she was the daughter of William and Sarah Fletcher, it doesn't attempt to identify the various other names. Guesses have been inserted to attempt to identify of the various people, plus notes describing what is known about them.]
   
   April 1743: agreement for division of estate of Ezekiel Fletcher late of Nottingham to Josiah Fletcher [brother] by the heirs of William Fletcher [brother, m. Tabitha Pierce, d. 1741-2], the heirs of Sarah Butterfield [sister, m. Nathaniel Butterfield, d. 1734], Lydia Spaulding [appears to be sister Lydia, m. Edward Spaulding, d. 1736, possibly meaning the heirs of hers?], Phebe Hildreth [sister Phebe, m. Joseph Hildreth, d. 1743], and Stephen Peirce [sister Esther m. Stephen Pierce], William Fletcher [possibly the son of the deceased William being at this time of legal age?], Reme[m]brance Foster [Edward Foster of Chelmsford had a wife Remembrance, Remembrance is name of Sarah (Richardson) Fletcher's mother, so she is probably a sister], and Rebecca Parker [sister Rebecca m. Joseph Parker].
   
   10 Aug 1757, house of Ezekiel Fletcher sold to Benjamin Haddock of Dunstable by Josiah Fletcher [brother], Mary Fletcher widow [unclear, widow of Ezekiel?], Esther Peirce widow [Stephen Pierce d. 1749], Rebecca Parker widow [Joseph Parker d. 1738 aged 44], Joseph Moors and Esther wife [Esther, daughter of Nathaniel Butterfield, m. Joseph Moores (NEHGR 44:37)], Is[a]iah Spaulding [son of Edward and Lydia Spaulding], Gideon Spaudling [son of Edward and Lydia Spaulding], Henry Richardson and Priscilla wife [Priscilla, daughter of Edward and Lydia Spaulding, m. Henry Richardson (Richardson Mem., p. 66, #123)], Robert Bates and Lydia wife [Lydia, daughter of Edward and Lydia Spaulding, m. 1748 Robert Bates], William Foster [son of Edward and Remembrance Foster, probably acting as administrator of his mother's estate], Stephen Fletcher [son of William and Tabitha Fletcher], William Fletcher [son of William and Tabitha Fletcher], William Proctor and Lucy wife [Thomas m. 1733 Lucy Fletcher, probably daughter of William and Tabitha Fletcher], Thankful Fletcher spinster [daughter of William and Tabitha Fletcher] and Zacheus Spaulding of Dunstable [son of Edward and Lydia Spaulding], Joseph Hildreth 3d of Westford [Joseph, was son of Phebe (Fletcher) Hildreth, m. 1747 an unconnected Lydia Fletcher, perhaps acquired his mother's entire share], Cotton Proctor of Acton and Tabitah wife [Cotton m. 1745 Tabitha Fletcher, probably daughter of William and Tabitha Fletcher], Thomas Bixby of Litchfield and Phebe wife [Phebe Spaulding, d/o Edward and Lydia Spaulding, m. 1743 Thomas Bixby].