Esther/Easter/Hester Roberts was the wife of John Martin, one of the founders of the Piscataway colony in New Jersey. They married in 1646 in Dover, New Hampshire and moved to New Jersey in 1666. She was the daughter of "Governor" Thomas Roberts of the Dover Colony which was founded in 1623 and was the first colony in New Hampshire. She is identified in his 1673 will. Her birth year is an estimate.
Esther Roberts was the sole heir of her husband who died in 1687. Two of her sons and two sons-in-law were "overseers." She died later that year leaving her estate to her children which establishes who was then living and who her daughters married: sons John, Joseph, Thomas, and Benjamin, and daughters Mary Hull, Martha Langstaff, and Lydia Smalley. The children of Mary and Hopewell Hull--Mary and Hope Hull--were specifically mentioned.
It is unclear exactly where she and her husband were buried. If in a churchyard, it was most likely St. James but this is not certain. What became St. James Cemetery was the Piscataway Burying Ground in the earliest days.
***
Her father Thomas Roberts c.1600-1673 was most likely the son of John Roberts of Woolaston, Gloucestershire (or perhaps Worcestershire). He is found in the records of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in London in 1615: "Thomas Roberts, son of John Roberts of Woolston, in the county of Wooster, yeoman, put to apprentice to William Adys for eight years from." This gives a birth date of c.1600. Thomas became a freeman and full member in 1623. He is in their records in 1641 as being in New England, as was Edward Hilton.
Thomas is often associated with the Hilton brothers who were also fishmongers. William arrived in Plymouth in 1621 and then moved to what became Dover. His brother Edward arrived first in 1623 (making at least one subsequent trip to England and back). Perhaps Thomas Roberts arrived with him after finishing his apprenticeship in 1623. It has been said that Edward Hilton, sister Rebecca, and Thomas Roberts all arrived on the "Providence" in 1623 sailing from Plymouth, England to Portsmouth. Thomas married Rebecca shortly afterwards judging from the births of their children. However the marriage date usually cited is 1627. That his wife was Rebecca was confirmed by his will but there seems to be no solid proof that she was Rebecca Hilton although it seems likely.
Children were: Jane b.1624; Hester b.1626; John b.1628; Anne b.1630; Thomas b.1635; Elizabeth b. 1641; and Sarah b.1644/
He lived on Hilton Point and then Hilton Neck. His land remained in his family for 300 years.
He is in the record in 1640 in the Dover Colony of New Hampshire having been elected "Governor" of the colony, an office he held until 1642 when the colony merged with Massachusetts.
He died in 1673, reportedly drowned. He left a will listing his wife Rebecca and children.
***
From Caral:
Listed as wife of John MARTIN, per New Jersey Colonial Documents, Vol I, 1670-1730, Will Abstracts, pg 308:
... 1687 Mar 17, MARTIN, John, of Piscataway, yeoman; will of, Wife **Easter heiress & executrix of real & personal estate w/sons John & Benjamin MARTIN, Hopfull HULLE & John LANGSTAFF as overseers. Witnesses Thomas KILLINGWORTH, Will BUTTON, Benjamin MARTIN, Thomas MARTIN & Daniel LIPPINGTON. Proved 20th __ 1687 [NJ Archives, XXL, p 107 & Middlesex Wills]
~~~~~
Known children of John & Esther with approximate dates: John Jr 1647-1703/04; Mary 1649-1694, married Hopewell Hull; Joseph 1652/57-1723; Martha 1653-1694, married John Langstaff; Lydia 1655-1731, married John Smalley; Benjamin 1659-1732; Thomas 1662-1715; Jane 1669-1676; Henry?
The will of Esther MARTIN of Piscataway NY, dated 09 Nov 1687, proved 05 Jan 1688, names (living) chr: John (Jr), Joseph, Thomas, Mary HULL, Martha LANGSTAFF, Lidia SMALLEY & Benjamin; & gr'chr: Mary & Hopewell HULL as heirs to land in Piscataway Twp & personal property. Son Benjamin MARTIN is named executor.
~~~~~
John, yeoman, Dover, on the ME side by Oct 1645; married Hester (Esther) ROBERTS (11) before 07 Sep 1647...," source unknown' page 463. Esther ROBERTS, -b 1628 in Dover NH; d/o New Hampshire, Gov of Dover Colony, Thomas & Rebecca (HILTON) ROBERTS. Esther -d 06 Dec 1687.
Esther Roberts was the sole heir of her husband who died in 1687. Two of her sons and two sons-in-law were "overseers." She died later that year leaving her estate to her children which establishes who was then living and who her daughters married: sons John, Joseph, Thomas, and Benjamin, and daughters Mary Hull, Martha Langstaff, and Lydia Smalley. The children of Mary and Hopewell Hull--Mary and Hope Hull--were specifically mentioned.
It is unclear exactly where she and her husband were buried. If in a churchyard, it was most likely St. James but this is not certain. What became St. James Cemetery was the Piscataway Burying Ground in the earliest days.
***
Her father Thomas Roberts c.1600-1673 was most likely the son of John Roberts of Woolaston, Gloucestershire (or perhaps Worcestershire). He is found in the records of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in London in 1615: "Thomas Roberts, son of John Roberts of Woolston, in the county of Wooster, yeoman, put to apprentice to William Adys for eight years from." This gives a birth date of c.1600. Thomas became a freeman and full member in 1623. He is in their records in 1641 as being in New England, as was Edward Hilton.
Thomas is often associated with the Hilton brothers who were also fishmongers. William arrived in Plymouth in 1621 and then moved to what became Dover. His brother Edward arrived first in 1623 (making at least one subsequent trip to England and back). Perhaps Thomas Roberts arrived with him after finishing his apprenticeship in 1623. It has been said that Edward Hilton, sister Rebecca, and Thomas Roberts all arrived on the "Providence" in 1623 sailing from Plymouth, England to Portsmouth. Thomas married Rebecca shortly afterwards judging from the births of their children. However the marriage date usually cited is 1627. That his wife was Rebecca was confirmed by his will but there seems to be no solid proof that she was Rebecca Hilton although it seems likely.
Children were: Jane b.1624; Hester b.1626; John b.1628; Anne b.1630; Thomas b.1635; Elizabeth b. 1641; and Sarah b.1644/
He lived on Hilton Point and then Hilton Neck. His land remained in his family for 300 years.
He is in the record in 1640 in the Dover Colony of New Hampshire having been elected "Governor" of the colony, an office he held until 1642 when the colony merged with Massachusetts.
He died in 1673, reportedly drowned. He left a will listing his wife Rebecca and children.
***
From Caral:
Listed as wife of John MARTIN, per New Jersey Colonial Documents, Vol I, 1670-1730, Will Abstracts, pg 308:
... 1687 Mar 17, MARTIN, John, of Piscataway, yeoman; will of, Wife **Easter heiress & executrix of real & personal estate w/sons John & Benjamin MARTIN, Hopfull HULLE & John LANGSTAFF as overseers. Witnesses Thomas KILLINGWORTH, Will BUTTON, Benjamin MARTIN, Thomas MARTIN & Daniel LIPPINGTON. Proved 20th __ 1687 [NJ Archives, XXL, p 107 & Middlesex Wills]
~~~~~
Known children of John & Esther with approximate dates: John Jr 1647-1703/04; Mary 1649-1694, married Hopewell Hull; Joseph 1652/57-1723; Martha 1653-1694, married John Langstaff; Lydia 1655-1731, married John Smalley; Benjamin 1659-1732; Thomas 1662-1715; Jane 1669-1676; Henry?
The will of Esther MARTIN of Piscataway NY, dated 09 Nov 1687, proved 05 Jan 1688, names (living) chr: John (Jr), Joseph, Thomas, Mary HULL, Martha LANGSTAFF, Lidia SMALLEY & Benjamin; & gr'chr: Mary & Hopewell HULL as heirs to land in Piscataway Twp & personal property. Son Benjamin MARTIN is named executor.
~~~~~
John, yeoman, Dover, on the ME side by Oct 1645; married Hester (Esther) ROBERTS (11) before 07 Sep 1647...," source unknown' page 463. Esther ROBERTS, -b 1628 in Dover NH; d/o New Hampshire, Gov of Dover Colony, Thomas & Rebecca (HILTON) ROBERTS. Esther -d 06 Dec 1687.
Esther/Easter/Hester Roberts was the wife of John Martin, one of the founders of the Piscataway colony in New Jersey. They married in 1646 in Dover, New Hampshire and moved to New Jersey in 1666. She was the daughter of "Governor" Thomas Roberts of the Dover Colony which was founded in 1623 and was the first colony in New Hampshire. She is identified in his 1673 will. Her birth year is an estimate.
Esther Roberts was the sole heir of her husband who died in 1687. Two of her sons and two sons-in-law were "overseers." She died later that year leaving her estate to her children which establishes who was then living and who her daughters married: sons John, Joseph, Thomas, and Benjamin, and daughters Mary Hull, Martha Langstaff, and Lydia Smalley. The children of Mary and Hopewell Hull--Mary and Hope Hull--were specifically mentioned.
It is unclear exactly where she and her husband were buried. If in a churchyard, it was most likely St. James but this is not certain. What became St. James Cemetery was the Piscataway Burying Ground in the earliest days.
***
Her father Thomas Roberts c.1600-1673 was most likely the son of John Roberts of Woolaston, Gloucestershire (or perhaps Worcestershire). He is found in the records of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in London in 1615: "Thomas Roberts, son of John Roberts of Woolston, in the county of Wooster, yeoman, put to apprentice to William Adys for eight years from." This gives a birth date of c.1600. Thomas became a freeman and full member in 1623. He is in their records in 1641 as being in New England, as was Edward Hilton.
Thomas is often associated with the Hilton brothers who were also fishmongers. William arrived in Plymouth in 1621 and then moved to what became Dover. His brother Edward arrived first in 1623 (making at least one subsequent trip to England and back). Perhaps Thomas Roberts arrived with him after finishing his apprenticeship in 1623. It has been said that Edward Hilton, sister Rebecca, and Thomas Roberts all arrived on the "Providence" in 1623 sailing from Plymouth, England to Portsmouth. Thomas married Rebecca shortly afterwards judging from the births of their children. However the marriage date usually cited is 1627. That his wife was Rebecca was confirmed by his will but there seems to be no solid proof that she was Rebecca Hilton although it seems likely.
Children were: Jane b.1624; Hester b.1626; John b.1628; Anne b.1630; Thomas b.1635; Elizabeth b. 1641; and Sarah b.1644/
He lived on Hilton Point and then Hilton Neck. His land remained in his family for 300 years.
He is in the record in 1640 in the Dover Colony of New Hampshire having been elected "Governor" of the colony, an office he held until 1642 when the colony merged with Massachusetts.
He died in 1673, reportedly drowned. He left a will listing his wife Rebecca and children.
***
From Caral:
Listed as wife of John MARTIN, per New Jersey Colonial Documents, Vol I, 1670-1730, Will Abstracts, pg 308:
... 1687 Mar 17, MARTIN, John, of Piscataway, yeoman; will of, Wife **Easter heiress & executrix of real & personal estate w/sons John & Benjamin MARTIN, Hopfull HULLE & John LANGSTAFF as overseers. Witnesses Thomas KILLINGWORTH, Will BUTTON, Benjamin MARTIN, Thomas MARTIN & Daniel LIPPINGTON. Proved 20th __ 1687 [NJ Archives, XXL, p 107 & Middlesex Wills]
~~~~~
Known children of John & Esther with approximate dates: John Jr 1647-1703/04; Mary 1649-1694, married Hopewell Hull; Joseph 1652/57-1723; Martha 1653-1694, married John Langstaff; Lydia 1655-1731, married John Smalley; Benjamin 1659-1732; Thomas 1662-1715; Jane 1669-1676; Henry?
The will of Esther MARTIN of Piscataway NY, dated 09 Nov 1687, proved 05 Jan 1688, names (living) chr: John (Jr), Joseph, Thomas, Mary HULL, Martha LANGSTAFF, Lidia SMALLEY & Benjamin; & gr'chr: Mary & Hopewell HULL as heirs to land in Piscataway Twp & personal property. Son Benjamin MARTIN is named executor.
~~~~~
John, yeoman, Dover, on the ME side by Oct 1645; married Hester (Esther) ROBERTS (11) before 07 Sep 1647...," source unknown' page 463. Esther ROBERTS, -b 1628 in Dover NH; d/o New Hampshire, Gov of Dover Colony, Thomas & Rebecca (HILTON) ROBERTS. Esther -d 06 Dec 1687.
Esther Roberts was the sole heir of her husband who died in 1687. Two of her sons and two sons-in-law were "overseers." She died later that year leaving her estate to her children which establishes who was then living and who her daughters married: sons John, Joseph, Thomas, and Benjamin, and daughters Mary Hull, Martha Langstaff, and Lydia Smalley. The children of Mary and Hopewell Hull--Mary and Hope Hull--were specifically mentioned.
It is unclear exactly where she and her husband were buried. If in a churchyard, it was most likely St. James but this is not certain. What became St. James Cemetery was the Piscataway Burying Ground in the earliest days.
***
Her father Thomas Roberts c.1600-1673 was most likely the son of John Roberts of Woolaston, Gloucestershire (or perhaps Worcestershire). He is found in the records of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in London in 1615: "Thomas Roberts, son of John Roberts of Woolston, in the county of Wooster, yeoman, put to apprentice to William Adys for eight years from." This gives a birth date of c.1600. Thomas became a freeman and full member in 1623. He is in their records in 1641 as being in New England, as was Edward Hilton.
Thomas is often associated with the Hilton brothers who were also fishmongers. William arrived in Plymouth in 1621 and then moved to what became Dover. His brother Edward arrived first in 1623 (making at least one subsequent trip to England and back). Perhaps Thomas Roberts arrived with him after finishing his apprenticeship in 1623. It has been said that Edward Hilton, sister Rebecca, and Thomas Roberts all arrived on the "Providence" in 1623 sailing from Plymouth, England to Portsmouth. Thomas married Rebecca shortly afterwards judging from the births of their children. However the marriage date usually cited is 1627. That his wife was Rebecca was confirmed by his will but there seems to be no solid proof that she was Rebecca Hilton although it seems likely.
Children were: Jane b.1624; Hester b.1626; John b.1628; Anne b.1630; Thomas b.1635; Elizabeth b. 1641; and Sarah b.1644/
He lived on Hilton Point and then Hilton Neck. His land remained in his family for 300 years.
He is in the record in 1640 in the Dover Colony of New Hampshire having been elected "Governor" of the colony, an office he held until 1642 when the colony merged with Massachusetts.
He died in 1673, reportedly drowned. He left a will listing his wife Rebecca and children.
***
From Caral:
Listed as wife of John MARTIN, per New Jersey Colonial Documents, Vol I, 1670-1730, Will Abstracts, pg 308:
... 1687 Mar 17, MARTIN, John, of Piscataway, yeoman; will of, Wife **Easter heiress & executrix of real & personal estate w/sons John & Benjamin MARTIN, Hopfull HULLE & John LANGSTAFF as overseers. Witnesses Thomas KILLINGWORTH, Will BUTTON, Benjamin MARTIN, Thomas MARTIN & Daniel LIPPINGTON. Proved 20th __ 1687 [NJ Archives, XXL, p 107 & Middlesex Wills]
~~~~~
Known children of John & Esther with approximate dates: John Jr 1647-1703/04; Mary 1649-1694, married Hopewell Hull; Joseph 1652/57-1723; Martha 1653-1694, married John Langstaff; Lydia 1655-1731, married John Smalley; Benjamin 1659-1732; Thomas 1662-1715; Jane 1669-1676; Henry?
The will of Esther MARTIN of Piscataway NY, dated 09 Nov 1687, proved 05 Jan 1688, names (living) chr: John (Jr), Joseph, Thomas, Mary HULL, Martha LANGSTAFF, Lidia SMALLEY & Benjamin; & gr'chr: Mary & Hopewell HULL as heirs to land in Piscataway Twp & personal property. Son Benjamin MARTIN is named executor.
~~~~~
John, yeoman, Dover, on the ME side by Oct 1645; married Hester (Esther) ROBERTS (11) before 07 Sep 1647...," source unknown' page 463. Esther ROBERTS, -b 1628 in Dover NH; d/o New Hampshire, Gov of Dover Colony, Thomas & Rebecca (HILTON) ROBERTS. Esther -d 06 Dec 1687.
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