GENERATION 12

GENERATION 11

Biography

ROWLAND STEBBINS was born at St. Mary's Parish, Bocking, Essex, England. In 1634, he departed from Ipswich, England on the bark, "Frances", and landed at Boston, Suffolk, MA. Five years later he settled in Agawam (Springfield), Hampden, MA. He was a freeman in 1664, and sometime between 1664 and 1669 he moved to Northampton, Hampshire, MA.

ROWLAND was a friend of William Pynchon, who came to America in 1629, and was the principal founder of Roxbury, Suffolk, MA. Later he purchased Agawam (afterwards named Springfield) from the indians. From 1636 to 1646 the settlers of Agawam were mostly young unmarried men, yet ROWLAND STEBBINS was there in 1639 with his family. In his will, dated Mar. 1, 1669/70, ROWLAND appoints as one of the overseers of his will, "my much honored friend Capt. John Pynchon," who was the son of William Pynchon.

He first received land at the second division in Springfield. According to the provisions, "Single P'sons are to have 8 rod in bredth; Maryed P'sons 10 rod in bredth; bigger familys 12 rod, to begin upward at ye edge of ye hill," ROWLAND was granted Lot No. 5, 10 rods in breadth.

Over the next 12 years ROWLAND either received additional grants or purchased land on many occasions. He received four grants of planting lands in 1643, and then purchased more land in each of the next two years. In 1659, he was listed third in the order of seating in the Meeting house. ROBERT ASHLEY appeared first on that same list.

ROWLAND STEBBINS died in Northampton, Dec. 14, 1671, but no stone was erected to designate the exact spot of interment. In the early 1800's an attempt was made to find the exact burial spot. When that attempt failed, a granite cenotaph was erected in his memory, in the new burying ground. Some ten years later the exact spot was accidentally found, about 250 yards north of the cenotaph, and a small marble slab was placed at the head of the grave. It reads simply, "ROWLAND STEBBINS."

John Stebbins, son of ROWLAND STEBBINS and SARAH WHITING, was married twice. His second wife, Abigail Bartlett, was the second wife of JEDEDIAH STRONG. She married JEDEDIAH Dec. 28, 1681.