Person:William Sever (1)

William Sever graduated from Harvard College in 1745. For 15 years in politics he was a Representative, a member of the Provincial Congress, at one time President of the council; he delivered the message Nov 10 1779. He was also a State Senator (Bradford's "Biographical Notices of Distinguished Men in New England," 1842)

On 7 September 1774, Jonathan Ripley of Halifax, Plymouth County, Yeoman, sold land in Hampshire for £60 paid by William Seaver of Kingstown, Plymouth County, Esquire. The land comprised 100 acres, Lot #70 of the 1st division, Township #5 in Hampshire. Jonathan Ripley signed, and his wife Zerviah released her dower rights (Hampden County (Massachusetts) Land Records, Volume 14, Page 94, abstracted from FHL Microfilm 0,845,697, provided by Margaret Jenks).

In the 1790 United States Census, William Sever Esq. was a head of household in Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The household included three free white males over age 16, two free white males under age 16, six free white females and two other free persons (1790 United States Census, Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, Page 170, FHL Microfilm 0,568,144).

In the 1800 United States Census, William Sever was a head of household in Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The household included two free white males aged 16 to 26, one free white male over age 45, one free white female under age 10, one free white female aged 16 to 26 and two free white females over age 45 (1800 United States Census, Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, Page 30, FHL Microfilm 0,205,617).

William Sever's death notice was published in the "Columbian Centinel" newspaper: "Sever, William Hon., d. in Kingston, Plymouth County, Thurs. aged 80" (Columbian Centinel June 17 1809)

William Sever died testate, having written a will dated 30 April 1802 (Plymouth County (Massachusetts) Probate Records, Probate Docket #17,842; Volume 43, Page 18). The will was probated on 14 August 1809. The will mentions:

• his marriage contract to his wife Mercy Russell, now his wife;
• grandson William James Sever, son of William Sever late of Worcester, deceased;
• granddaughters Penelope Winslow Sever and Anne Warren Sever, daus of son William Sever.
• daughter Mary Sever, the widow of son William Sever;
• granddaughter Sarah Russell, the dau of Thomas Russell, late of Boston deceased and of Sarah Russell, late wife of said Thomas Russell, my daughter;
• sons James Sever and John Sever of Kingston.

1. ↑ Kingston, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Kingston, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1911)
   132.

   Sever, Wiliam, s. Nicholas Esq. and Sarah, Oct. 12, 1729.

2. ↑ Kingston, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Kingston, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850
   380.

   Sever, William, Hon., h. Sarah, [died] June 15, 1809. [old age, a. 80, C.R.1] [[h. Sarah (Warren), h. Mercy (Russell)] a. 80, G.R.1]
   [Birth calculates to about 1729. GR1=Old Burying Ground back of the First Church]