Person:Daniel Weld (16)

For a long time, the parentage of Daniel Weld was unknown, though Dedham records clearly show he is a brother of Thomas Weld of Roxbury and thus son of Rev. Thomas Weld of Roxbury (discussed in depth on the Talk page). This finally appeared to be noticed in the 1938 Source:Robinson, Charles Frederick. Weld Collections, but still surprisingly hasn't been picked up by many modern sources, such as Anderson.

The coverage of Daniel Weld has been marred from the start by confusion with his cousin Dr. Daniel Weld. Because that Daniel wasn't born until 1642, this confusion has made Daniel appear too young for his first marriage. The marriage is a little speculative, as wife's name is never found, and all the children died, leaving no connection to the later records of Daniel. However, his uncle Daniel was 70 and wouldn't have named a son Daniel as he already had a son Daniel. The uncle's son Daniel never came to New England. And as mentioned the son of Joseph was too young, thus leaving no other Daniel.

The second reason why Daniel Weld has been misrepresented is because he moved around, and in particular, because Source:Sheldon, George. History of Deerfield, Massachusetts claims he was residing in Deerfield in 1673. This appears to be based entirely on his participating in a meeting of Deerfield proprietors 7 Nov 1673 as owner of Lot 23. But it is not clear this actually represents his relocating to Deerfield (on 20 May 1673 he witnessed a deed in Medfield), and if he did, it appears he returned to Roxbury, possibly as the Weld Collections suggests, "for safety during the Indian disturbances". So again, some dangling records in Roxbury appear to be his, which most sources appear to ignore because they believe he was living in Deerfield.

The last set of dangling records are very important, as one is the death of Mehitable who was born in Medfield, Another is the birth of a second daughter Mary, helping to resolve an age mismatch results when traditional source have used the first daughter Mary to satisfy all the later records of Daniel's daughter Mary and her marriages. Finally, there is a record of the death of his (2nd) wife, allowing for a better estimate of the date of his third marriage and birth of his youngest son, Daniel.

The will of Daniel shows only three surviving children: daughter Anna who is married, daughter Mary who is not, and son Daniel who is a minor. His third wife had died, as there is no mention of her.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Sheldon, George. Biographical Sketchs of the Settlers at Pocumtuck Before Philip's War. History and Proceedings of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. (Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, 1890-1921)
   1:72.

   Weld, Daniel — Born Sept. 25, 1642; the first Recorder for Medfield; was here in 1673; settled on lot now owned by Elisha Wells; he m., June 8, 1664, Mary, dau. of Robert Hinsdale, and died Dec. 16, 1699. His dau. Mary, who had m. Daniel Alexander, was captured Feb. 19, 1704. The family drifted to Conn.

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Daniel Weld, in Sheldon, George. A History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the Times when and the People by whom it was Settled, Unsettled, and Resettled, with a Special Study of the Indian Wars in the Connecticut Valley; with Genealogies. (Greenfield, Mass.: Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1895-1896)
   2:2:355.

   Weld, Daniel, prob. s. of Joseph of Roxbury, b. Sept. 25, 1642 [see talk page why this is incorrect]; was first chh. recorder of Medfield; left there for Pocumtuck, 1672 or 3; was here 1673; sett. on lot No. 23; called "Mr;" d. Dec. 16, 1699. He m. June 8, 1664, Mary, dau. Rob't Hinsdale. Ch.: John, Nov. 29, 1665. Mary, Mar. 30,1667; m. July 3, (not 31) 1701, David Alexander; he was k. 1704; she was cap. but redeemed and m. (2) Apr. 18,1707, Samuel Smead; (3) Nov. 28, 1734, Joseph Younglove. Mehitable, May 19, 1669; Anna, May 17, 1672; m. Nov. 22, 1699, John Smead. Daniel, abt. 1680 … rem. to Enfield, Ct.; abt. 1710.

3. ↑ Massachusetts. Probate Court (Hampshire County). Probate records, 1660-1916; index, 1660-1971. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971, 1988-1989)
   Vol. 3, p. 67.

   Will of "Daniel Weld of Derefeild afores'd being Weak & crazy of Body", dated 2 Dec 1699, proved 6 Mar 1699/1700, names son Daniel Weld [under 21, he paying his two sisters], daughter Anna, daughter Mary. Friends Deacon John Shelding, Thomas French of Derefeild to be executors.
   2 Jan 1699/00: Inventory of estate of Daniel Weld of Derefeild who deceased decemb'r 18 1699 taken Jan'rie 2 1699 by Deacon John Shelding & Thomas French, includes item "Land at Medfield at p'r'sent not known what ye vallue is".
   Anna Smead alias Weld & Mary Weld Daughter to Daniel Weld of Derefeild decease Made Oath in Hampshire that the aboves'd Inventory was a a true Inventory ... administration was Granted to said Anna & Mary & Lu't Sam'll Belding ju'r Mch 6th 1699"Lieut't Sam'll Belding jun'r of Hatfeild uncle to the s'd Daniel Weld Son to the deceased Daniel Weld to take care & is impowered by Jn'o Phynchon Judge of Probate of Wills [as] Guardian to him & his Estate giveing true accompts."

4. ↑ See the discussion on the Talk page about his parentage. Based on the conclusion there that he is a child of Thomas' first wife, but the death of the first wife is unknown and given as by 1636 by Anderson, 1637 by TAG, p. 55:147. Both appear based on the same undated admission of "Judith Weld the second wife of mr Thomas Weld" to the Roxbury Church (see Roxbury Church Records, p. 82) so neither appears to have significantly more authority than the other.