GENERATION 12

Biography

THOMAS JOSSELYN (Joslin, as he spelled the name) probably received his portion of his father's estate at the time of his marriage, as his father, in his will dated 1626, bequeathed to him only £5. As the baptisms of his children are not recorded in the parish registers of Roxwell, it is certain that he was not living there when his children were born. He was of Barham, Suffolk, just before his emigration to New England, and his daughter Mary was baptized at Barham on Mar. 16, 1633/34.

THOMAS and REBECCA came to America in 1635, on the ship Increase. They settled in Hingham, where THOMAS was a selectman in 1645. He bought land in Hingham from his son-in-law, THOMAS NICHOLS in 1638. THOMAS and his son Nathaniel,sold their lands at Hingham, Mar. 1652/53, to George Lane and Moses Collier. He then moved to Lancaster, Worcester, MA, where he signed the civil compact, Nov. 12, 1654. He died in Lancaster in 1660/61 and is buried there in an unmarked grave.

In his will, dated May 9, 1660, and proved Apr. 1, 1661, he appoints his wife Rebecca executrix, and mentions his sons Abraham and Nathaniel, grandson Abraham (son of Abraham), and daughters REBECCA NICHOLS wife of THOMAS, MARY SUMNER wife of ROGER, and Elizabeth "Emons."

REBECCA married second, Henry (or William) Kerley, May 16, 1664, at Lancaster, Worcester, MA. She apparently predeceased him, as she was not mentioned in his will dated Jul. 26, 1669.

Evidence supports the probability that REBECCA was the daughter of JOHN JUDE, but no proof exists.