Family:William Reed and Avis Chepman (1)

For many years there has been considerable confusion over the identities of William Reed and his wife Avis. Source:The Reade record (111971), No. 2, p. 2 (28 Oct 1909) presents a comprehensive analysis showing that there were two William Reeds living in Weymouth at different times, and that the wife Avis of the second William Reed was not Avis Deacon.

The identification of Avis as Avis Deacon is due to a the uniqueness of her name, and the fact that an Avis Deacon left Berkshire, England on the Alice in 1635. It was presumably her brother Thomas Deacon on the "Assurance de Lo" with a William Reade in 1635. But the Reade Record presents evidence that both these ships went to Virginia and so this apparently refers to a completely unrelated William Reade.

There was a William Reed, of Batcombe, Somersetshire, England, tailor (age 28), who emigrated with wife Susan (age 29, maiden name Hayme) in 1635, daughters Hannah (age 3) and Susan (age 1) with Rev. Joseph Hull's party in 1635. This was the first William Reed of Weymouth. He removed to Boston about 1646.

The second William Reed who came to Weymouth, immigrated shortly before 18 May 1653 when he was made a freeman. (The other William Reed had already been made a freeman on 2 Sep 1635, see Reade Record, No. 10, p. 2.) His daughter Margaret m. 11 May 1657 John Vining, and then died 6 Jul 1659. Records from 6 Apr 1658 refer to his widow Avis Reade.

George S. Stewart found the following records in the parish records of Long Sutton, Somersetshire, England:

Avice the daughter of Tho: Chepman bapt. 19 May 1610.
William Reed m. Avis Chepman of Knole, Oct. 25, 1635.
Margret, the daughter of William Reed was baptized the 20th of Januarie, 1635/6.

This is thought to be the same couple who immigrated to Weymouth, Massachusetts in the early 1650's but there is no definitive proof. However, the wife's name of Avis and the daughter's name of Margaret are consistent with the family of William Reed of Weymouth.

1. ↑ Chamberlain, George Walter. History of Weymouth, Massachusetts. (Weymouth, Massachusetts: Weymouth Historical Society, under direction of the town, 1923)
   4:568.

   Children of William Reed and Avis Chepman: Margaret, Hannah, Mary, William, Ruth, Thomas, John, and James.