GENERATION 12

GENERATION 11

Biography

WILLIAM SUMNER was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire, England, Jan. 27, 1605. He married MARY WEST in England, Oct. 22, 1625. She is sometimes referred to as Mary Swift.

After coming to America, WILLIAM was a freeman in 1637. He bought a house from Joshua Carter, of Dorchester, Suffolk, MA, and two lots of land and 3 acres of meadow next to the land of Roger Williams. He paid Joshua Carter 28 pounds. The purchase was witnessed by Oliver Purchis and John Strong. In 1659, WILLIAM bought 8 acres of land from HENRY WOODWARD, as HENRY WOOWARD was leaving Dorcester and removing to Northampton, Hampshire, MA. This land was in Dorcester, also. WILLIAM paid 14 pounds for this piece of prooperty. The transaction took place on Nov. 10, 1659, and was witnessed by Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, and William Blake.

WILLIAM served as a selectman, a deputy to the General Court in 1658, clerk of the Train Band in 1663, and was commissioner for a number of years. He died Dec. 9, 1688. His will divided his land and housing into six parts divided among, his living children and grandchildren.

WILLIAM and MARY are the great-grandparents of Gov. Increase Sumner, third governor of Massachusetts, through their son, George. Increase Sumner was governor 1797-1799.