Person:Joseph Heald (2)

There are two Joseph Healds of Stow, first cousins, son of Israel, and son of Isaac. Neither appears to have had their birth recorded. Both had their first known child born in 1714. One married Mary and one married Marcy, two names often interchanged for each other, but clearly different as they had overlapping child births. The husband of Marcy died in 1724, and was called Joseph Jr., so was the younger of the two. Joseph and Marcy had a daughter named Elizabeth, but Elizabeth is such a common name, it is not clear if this is significant. None of the other grandparent names (Isaac, Israel, or Martha) appear to be used. Isaac's 1717 will calls Joseph his oldest son. Israel's 1738 will doesn't name all his children, having given them their portions already.

A deed executed by the widow of Joseph's brother Benjamin names all the heirs, as of 1777. This listing includes the four daughters of Joseph Jr. and Marcy, namely, Mary, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Marcy, but does not mention Ezra. This establishes that Joseph Jr. is the son of Israel. Further, since Ezra Hale lived in Leominster until his death in 1802, this establishes that Ezra belongs to the family of Joseph Sr. The probate of Joseph names as heirs his widow and four daughters [names not specified], but no son.

1. ↑ Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Stow, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society at the charge of the Eddy Town Record Fund, 1911)
   p. 249.

   HEALD, Joseph, h. Marcy, [died] Mar. 22, 1724.

2. ↑ Film 397091 Middlesex County Probate 11036-11125, in Massachusetts. Probate Court (Middlesex County). Probate records, 1648-1924. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1964-1967)
   File 11065 Joseph Heald 1724.

   22[?] May 1724: Bond of Mercy Heald of Stow widow to administer to her late husband Joseph Heald late of Stow aforesaid dec'd Intestate. Signed Mercy Heald [her mark], Oliver Heald [surety]
   16 May 1724: "An Inventory of ye Estate of Joseph Heald Sen'r of Stow who dyed Intestate March ye 22nd : 1724" Sworn to 22 May 1724 by widow Mercy Heald.
   14 Jun 1725: "And the Ball'ce resting in s'd accomptants hands to be distrubted according to Law is one hundred and four pounds seven shill & five pence and give to the widow for her 1/3 [amount blank] and gives to 1/4 (there being four children (Daughters now surviving) the sum of [amount blank]."