Person:James Soule (1)

85 years old when he died JAMES3 SOULE (John2, George1) married Lydia Tomson3 (Mary2 Cooke, Francis1) and they had five children recorded at Middleborough, Mass.: Mary4 Soule, who died young; Martha4 Soule, who married Joseph Faunce; Isaac4 Soule, who apparently died before his father, without issue; Rebecca4 Soule, who died unmarried, leaving a will, here printed; Jacob4 Soule, who married Mary Thomas, and died one week before his father. James3 Soule made his will 30 November, 1736, and added a codicil two days after the death of his son Jacob, who died 20 August, 1744. The father died 27 August, 1744, in his 85th year, and his will was probated, 20 September, 1744. In the codicil added to his will, 22 August, 1744, he provided for his "Daughter Rebecca so long as She lives unmaried"; and "Rebekah Soul the Daughter of Mr James Soul by Lydia his wife, Deceased June the 21st : 1747 In the 48th year of her age" according to the Middleborough records.* Especial attention is called to these two quotations, because the record of probating Rebecca's will erroneously calls her "Widdow", and she is referred to as "Mrs Rebecca Soul" in the record of her inventory. "Mrs", that is, mistress, was used as a term of respect, and did not necessarily mean that the person referred to was a married woman or a widow.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Francis Cooke, in General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Descendants of the Pilgrims Who Landed at Plymouth, Mass. December 1620. (New England - United States: General Society of Mayflower Descendants., Various)
   12:97-98, 1999.

   Lydia married in Duxbury 14 December 1693 James Soule, born in Duxbury 4 October 1659, died in Middleborough 27 August 1744 in his 85 year; son of John and Rebecca (Simmons) Soule and a descendant of Pilgrim George Soule.
   
   The will of James Soule of Middleborough, dated 30 November 1736, proved 20 September 1744, names wife Lydia; daughter Rebecca Soule; daughter Martha Faunce [wife of Joseph] and her five [unnamed] children; son Jacob [executor]. A codicil, dated 22 August 1744, notes the death of his wife and son Jacob.

2. ↑ James Soule, in Find A Grave.