MUDGETT
Thomas Mudgett, immigrant ancestor, was probably born in England. The surname is not found in the works on English surnames, however, but, like many others of which the spelling varies greatly, the name may be an ancient English name. It is spelled Mugat, Muggitt, Mughitt and a multitude of other ways in the early records. A Mudgett, whose first name is uniknown, died May, 1663, at Salisbury, and there is reason to believe he was the father of Thomas (1), though nothing more appears concerning him on the records of Salisbury, where Thomas first settled.
Thomas Mudgett is given the title of "Mr.," indicating that he was a man of education or noble birth. He was a shipwright. He was a soldier in King Philip's war in 1675. The constables of Lynn and other towns were charged with billeting the three Norfolk (county) soldiers, John Dickinson, Richard Currier and Thomas Mudget, for Abraham Merrill till they come to Salisbury on their way home. (Massachusetts Archives). Mudgett was a householder in Salisbury in 1677, was admitted a freeman in 1690 and died about 1700, or later. Papers are on record showing arbitration between Thomas Mudgett and Thomas Barnard respecting certain mills on the Powow river, 1688 to 1697, when Thomas Mudgett sold two-thirds of a fulling-mill and one-half of a sawmill.
He married, Oct. 8, 1665, at Salisbury, widow of Abraham Merrill. She was admitted to the Salisbury church in 1687, and died in August, 1694, though her estate was administered Jan. 31, 1704. She was the daughter of Robert Clement, of Haverhill, born in England, 1590. Mudgett married (second) in 1695-96, Ann (French) Long, born March 10, 1659, widow of Richard Long, daughter of Joseph French, of Salisbury, and wife Susanna, granddaughter of Edward French, of Salisbury, the immigrant.
Children of 1st wife:
1. Mary, born April 30, 1667, at Salisbury.
2. Temperance, born Oct. 10, 1670.
Children of 2d wife (b. Salisbury):
3. William, born Oct. 16, 1696, baptized Dec. 18, 1698; married Dinah, daughter of Stephen Davis; he died 1730 and his administrator was appointed June 15, 1730; children: Ebenezer and John, baptized Jan. 11, 1729-30; John Clement, of Haverhill, appointed their guardian 1733.
Widow Dinah married (second) James Heath.
4. Thomas, born Jan. 2, 1698-99, baptized Feb. 26, 1698-99.
5. John, mentioned below.
