GENERATION 11

GENERATION 10

Biography

Maj. Gen. HUMPHREY ATHERTON was prominent in Massachusetts Bay Colony politics and military affairs, and a principal of Atherton Land Company in the Naragansett area of Rhode Island.

He came to America with his brother, James, on the ship James from Bristol, England, in 1635, and was Deputy of the Provincial Assembly for many years after 1638, and its Speaker in 1653. He was the Govenor's assistant from 1654 to 1661, the year of his death. He rose to position of Captain, from 1650 to 1658, of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, and commanded the expedition against the Narragansetts in 1656. In 1661, he became Major General of the military forces of Massachusetts.

HUMPHREY died Sep 17, 1661, from an accident while riding a horse. Both he and MARY are buried at the North Burying Ground in Dorchester, Suffolk, MA. The following inscription can be found there:

The parents of MARY WALES are not known. Some think that her father is Nathaniel Wales, born Feb. 26, 1586/87. Others think her father is John Wales, father of Nathaniel Wales. Nathaniel is the father of Nathaniel Jr, who married MARY's daughter Isabel. If the first premise were true, it would mean that Isabel married her uncle. If the second premise were correct, it would mean that MARY and Nathaniel are siblings and Nathaniel Jr. and Isabel are cousins.