Person:Dorothy Jones (3)

Conclusions by Samuel Pearce May, Sears family genealogist.

When, in 1643, Alice Jones of Dorchester appointed Ant. Thatcher of Yarmouth, Feoffer under her anti-nuptial deed of trust, the settlement at Yarmouth was only in its fourth year, and the communications with Dorchester must have been infrequent, to say the least.

The question naturally arises, why did Alice Jones appoint Ant. Thatcher as Feoffer? and the answer is not far to seek.

Dr. James Thatcher the historian of Plymouth, transmitted the family tradition that Anthony Thatcher of Yarmouth, married as his second wife, (at New Sarum, co. Witts. Engd.,) six weeks before sailing for New England, Elizabeth Jones.

Assuming that Elizabeth Jones was the sister of Richard Jones of Duider, then widow Alice Jones’ reason for appointing Ant. Thatcher Feoffer is plain; ___ he was her late husband’s brother-in-law.

This … is apparently confused by the will of her son, Samuel Jones made in 1661, in which he gives “to my 6 cousins in Yarmouth, 40 s. each. At that time Ant. Thatcher had by his wife Elizh. (Jones) T., three children, viz: John, Judah & Bethia.

Assuming there to be three of the six cousins, the question arises, who were the other three?

Richard Sares of Yarmouth in his will dated 10. 3 mo. 1667, names “brother Thacher, and his two sons,” as “friends in trust,” and John Thacher son of Ant. T., in an affidavit appended to the codicil to Rd. Sares’ will, dated 3 Feb. 1675-76, calls him “my uncle Sares.”

From this it appears that Rd. Sares & Ant. Thacher were bros-in-law, and there can be little doubt that the connection arises from their having married sisters.

Richard Sares had according to his will three children living in 1667, viz: Paul, Silas & Deborah.

The conclusion is obvious,

1st. Richard Sares md. (Dorothy) Jones, sister of Richd. Jones of Duider & Dorchester, and also of Elizabeth Jones, the 2d. wife of Ant. Thacher of Yarmouth; ___ and, 2d. Paul, Silas & Deborah Sares, and John, Judah & Bethia Thacher, were “the 6 cousins in Yarmouth,” of Samuel Jones, the son of Richd. & Alice Jones of Dorchester. Q. E. D.