Person talk:Joseph Atwood (8)

need sources [7 February 2013]

There is a different Joseph Atwood of Taunton born in 1681. Without a source or explanation of how the estimate was arrived at it is too easy to imagine that there was some confusion between the two. Typically, 29 at marriage is a little old, though certainly possible, typical estimates probably assume something like 25 at marriage and adding 'based on date of marriage' to description field would be good to let people know everything that went into the development of this estimate.

The death completely needs some explanation. Ye Atte Wode Annals, part 3, p. 5, offers only "S53. Joseph, m. Oct. 12, 1710, Bethia Crowell and lived at Eastham." A book that specializes in this family has no information to offer so it is natural to want to know how these estimates were arrived at. If somebody comes along with a different estimate, and there is no explanation telling what this death estimate is based on, they have no idea how to assess the probability that it has any merit. Is it based on probate, on calling the wife a widow, on a deed where the heirs sell his land? It is meaningless without a description or source. --Jrich 11:27, 7 February 2013 (EST)

[7 February 2013]

Anthon Genealogy by Suyvesant Fish:

III. JOSEPH ATWOOD, born in Eastham, Mass., about 1681, died there about 1738. He married in Barnstable or Yarmouth, 12 Oct. 1710, Bethia Crowell, born in "Nobscusset," 13 Apr. 1689, died in Eastham, Mass., 2 Jan. 1752, in her 63d year, daughter of John and Bethia (Sears) Crowell. Administration of his estate was granted probably to his son Nathaniel, an inventory being filed in 1738, as shown by the following:

"Barnstable, ss. March 20th, 1740.

I allow and order to the widow Bethiah Attwood out of the personall Estate of her late Deceased Husband Joseph Atwood the sum of thirt pounds . . ."

"By the Hon. Sylvanus Bourne, Esqr. Judge of the Probate for the County of Barnstable To Settle the sum remaining on the acct of Nathaniel after the following manner and form (being the $um of" £85 7s 7d) to be divided viz to ye Widdow

x

/z the remainder to nine children the Eldest a Double share the Others a single share each: eldest son Nathaniel, Bethia, Hannah, Mary, Joseph, Joshua, Elisha, John and Abigail . . ." (Ibid. 5:456,467.) The following named children of Joseph Attwood and Bethia Crowell were all born in Eastham, Mass.: 1. Bangs, born 21 June, 1711; died before 1736. 2. NATHANIEL, born 18 Apr. 1713; married Abigail Stevens and Priscilla Freeman. 11 3. Bethia, born 26 Mar. 1715; probably married 10 May, 1733, Willard Knowles of Eastham. 4. Hannah, born 14 Dec. 1716. 5. Mary, born 15 Nov. 1718. 6. Joseph, born 19 Feb. 1720-1. 7. Joshua, born 7 Oct. 1722. 8. Elisha, born 25 Apr. 1725. 9. John, born 7 Feb. 1726-7. 10. Abigail, born about 1729.

REFERENCES : All of the above information was gotten from Mary Lovering Holman, 9 Ashburton Place, Boston, Mass. and Arthur W. Ackerman, same address. (See Graves Family.)--henk 13:21, 7 February 2013 (EST)

Thank you. It is a good source. The thing to do would be to post the source along with the data. --Jrich 14:38, 7 February 2013 (EST)