HERSEY Variously written HERSEE, HARSIE, and HEARSEY, on early records.
"William2 (William1), prob. came to New Eng. with his parents in 1635. He appears to have been m. twice. His first w., whom he m. ab. 1656 or 1657, was Rebecca, dau. of Thomas and Alice Chubbuck. She was bt. in Hing. Apr. 1641, and d. 1 June, 1686, aet. 45 yrs. The chris. name of his sec. w., as appears by his will, was ruhamah. There is no entry of this m'ge., however, nor of her death, on HIng. rec's. William d. 28 Sept. 1691. In his will, made in 1689, proved 27 Jan. 1691-2, mentions "my now wife Ruhamah", and the four sons whose names appear among his issue [i.e., William, John, James, Joshua, all covered in more detail]. Freeman 1672; constable 1661; selectman 1678, 1682, and 1690. Resided on South, opp. West St..
Ch. all b. in Hing., by w. Rebecca, were..."
