This name is found variously written in the early records of Essex county, Massachusetts, including such forms as Severns, Seaverns, Severans, and it present form. It was very early identified iwth the settlements in southern New Hampshire, bordering on Essex county, and is still found connected with the civil, religious and business affairs of the commonwealth.
(I) The First record was John Severans, of Ipswich, in 1636. He was among the original proprietors of Salisbury, same colony, where he received land in the first division and also in 1639-40 and 1654. He was taxed as a commoner in 1650 and 1655, and signed a petition of 1658. He was a "planter, victualler and vinter" and was licensed to keep the "ordinary" in Salisbury in 1662-63 and 1665 and later. He subscribed to the oath of fidelity in 1667, and died April 9, 1682, in Salsbury, two days after making his will. He was married (first) to Abigail Kimball, daughter of Richard Kimball, the patriarch of that family. (See Kimball, I). She died in Salisbury, June 17, 1658, and John Severans was married (second), October 2, 1663, to Susanna, widow of Henry Ambrose. She survived him, and was a signer of the Bradbury petition in 1692. His children, all born of the first wife, who died at the birth of the youngest, were: Samuel, Ebenezer, Abigail (died young), Abigail, Mary, John, Joseph, Elizabeth (died young), Benjamin, Ephraim and Elizabeth.
