John Poulter (1595 - bef. 1639)

Born 1595 in England

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Chamberlain — married about 1630 (to about 30 May 1639) in England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 30 May 1639 before age 44 in Essex, England

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Biography

John Poulter was born about 1595 in England. His mother was Marie Poulter, as mentioned in John's will.

The marriage of John and his wife Mary (_____) took place around 1630. Two records about John have been found in the Essex Record Office. In 1631 he was presented "for selling less than a quart of beer for 1d." The 2nd record shows him as a churchwarden.

Children of John Poulter and his wife Mary, probably all born at Rayleigh, co Essex, England:

1. Mary was baptized April 10, 1631, Rayleigh, Essex, England. She is mentioned in her father's will of 1639 but not her mother's of 1674.
2. Elizabeth was born September 1, 1633, baptized September 22, 1633, at Rayleigh, and died October 7, 1689 at Billerica, Massachusetts. She married at Billerica on 22: 9 m: 1654 to Jonathan Danforth. Jonathan was born on February 29, 1627/8 at Framlingham, co. Suffolk, England the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (_____) Danforth. Children: Mary, Elizabeth, Jonathan, John, John, Lydia, Samuel, Anna, Thomas, Nicholas, Sarah.
3. John was born about 1635 at Rayleigh; died May 20, 1676 at Medford, Massachusetts and is buried in the Old Burying Ground at Cambridge. He married on December 29, 1661 at Billerica to Rachel Eliot daughter of Francis and Mary (Sanders) Eliot. Rachel was born 26: 8m: 1643 at Braintree. She died at Medford on March 20, 1723/4.

His widow, Mary, and two of their children ( John and Elizabeth) migrated to New England, settling in Billerica, Massachusetts. Some have thought that John migrated, but it would be highly unlikely that he was in New England for 2 months, since his will was drawn in England on March 18, 1638/9 and proved there on May 30, 1639.

John Poulter of Rayleigh, Essex, England died before his will was proved on May 30, 1639. Mary, his widow married (2nd) John Parker who died in 1667 and (3rd) Thomas Chamberlain in 1674.

The will of John Poulter of Rayleigh, co. Essex, yeoman, 18 March 1638/9. To be buried in the parish church or churchyard of Rayleigh. To my son John Poulter L50 to be paid him at the age of one and twenty years. To my daughter Mary L100 to be paid her at the age of one and twenty years or day of marriage. To my daughter Elizabeth L100 to be paid her at the age of one and twenty ears or day of marriage. If any child die before said age, reversion to the survivors at legal age or marriage. If all die before legal age, reversion to my wife Mary Poulter. My overseers to put forth my childrens portion for their use during their their minority. To my mother Marie Poulter 40s. to buy her a ring for remembrance. To my aunt Anne Hayward 20s. To Anne Hudson 20s. To Richard Abrahams, son of Richard Abrahams, 20s. To Will Brewster 20s. To Jane Broadwater and Elizabeth Broadwater 5s. each. To William Clements 10s. All the residue of my goods unbequeathed I give to my wife Mary Poulter, whom I make executrix and guardian of my children during their minority. Thomas Purchas, clerke, and John Sharpe, yeoman, overseers, and to each for remembrance 20s. To my mother-in-law Marie Pope an annuity of 20s. for five years.

[Signed] John Poulter.

Witnesses John Horsnayle, William Brewster, John Offen, his mark. Proved at Baddow 30 May 1639 by Marie Poulter relict and executrix.

Research Notes

1. Parents of John Poulter are NOT Christopher Poulter and his wife Margerie, although there is a baptism of a John Poulter in Great Burstead, Essex on March 7, 1606/7. Christopher and Margerie were dead by 1612 whereas John Poulter's will of 1639 mentions his mother Marie.
2. John Poulter and the Thomas Poulter who migrated to Virginia were not brothers, and no relationship has been established.
3. Although some have claimed that Mary, John Poulter's wife, was surnamed "Pope," there is no evidence of this. John Poulter, in his will, did name his mother-in-law as "Marie Pope" however "there is no proof that his wife was Marie's daughter by her current husband."

Sources

• The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2018.) "The Poulter Family of Rayleigh, Essex, England, and Billerica, Massachusetts" Delorey, Janet Ireland. Vol 141, p. 215ffsubscription needed$

Acknowledgements

• Kim Baltz. See the [http://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Special:NetworkFeed&who=Poulter-31
• Elizabeth S. See the [http://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Special:NetworkFeed&who=Poulter-34