Much is yet not known about William Sabin of Rehobeth. Among details which are still in question are his parentage, birthplace, birth date, death date, burial location, and the name of the ship on which he emigrated to North America. All of these are disputed. If one searches the internet for "William Sabin of Rehobeth" one will find all manner of conflicting information and opinions. What is not in dispute is that he emigrated to Massachusetts in the first half of the 17th century, was one of the founders of Rehobeth, Massachusetts, and was married twice and sired at least 20 children.

In the parish register of Titchfield, Hampshire, England there is the following entry:

"October 1609. Baptized. William Sabin the xi daye."

This is commonly thought to be a register entry about our William Sabin of Rehobeth. It may well be. However, the registry entry does not name the parents. Therefore, this is not concrete evidence of birthplace, birth date or parentage. In fact, if William's birth year were 1609, that would mean he did not first marry until 30 years of age, that his second wife was more than 30 years younger than him, and that he was still fathering children when he was 70 years old! While quite possible, it is improbable.

Compiled below are selections gathered from various publications.
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William Sabin, [...] appeared in the town of Rehobeth, Mass., upon its organization in 1643; was a miller there and a man of wealth and culture; contributed liberally toward the relief of settlers distressed by Indian ravages, and having been many years deputy to the Plymouth court, was buried Feb. 9, 1686-87. His will dated June 4, 1685, and probated at Boston June 17,1687, mentions 16 of his 20 children.

From "The Ancestry of Katharine Choate Paul", 1914, Milwaukee - pg 187.
See attached image.
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Richard Sabine married Mary Bushe on 29th October 1608, and these were probably William's parents. Naturally, until a positive link is found it will not be possible to say the Rehobeth Sabin came from Titchfield, or Northhamptonshire, or Kent, to name the two other prinicpal Sabin(e) centres, or from elsewhere.

William Henry Waldo Sabine - London, England.
"English Origins of New England Families, 2nd Series Vol. III"; 1985, Baltimore - pg 48.
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A tradition, such as that of the supposed Huguenot descent of William Sabin, is assuredly, [...] of little value unless substantiated by documentary evidence. We do not unfrequently find that some more or less literary member of a family makes a guess as to the possible origin of his family, [...] based very often on materials far too scanty to warrant any trustworthy inference. He may be quite aware what value can be attached to his suggestions, but other uncritical members of the family will readily catch them up, and in a short time they become firmly believed in as authentic family traditions which it were sacrilege to doubt.

W. P. W. Phillimore - London, England.
"English Origins of New England Families, 2nd Series Vol. III"; 1985, Baltimore - pg 46.
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In "Vital Records of Rehobeth" by Arnold, published 1897, William Sabin is listed as being buried in Rehobeth, MA. There are dozens of historic cemeteries in Rehobeth, MA. He died more than 4 centuries ago. Pinpointing his burial location has proven difficult. Apparently it is unmarked so written records are needed to ascertain the location. There is some speculation that he is buried in Kickemuit Cemetery in Warren, Bristol, RI. However, on 10 April 2013, member 48083173 reported: "I searched the entire cemetery and could not find the grave". On 6 July 2015, member 48228855 reported the same. Therefore, William's burial location is listed here as Unknown.

Should you suggest any edits, kindly provide supporting evidence.

Thank you,

Dusty Graves

9th Great Grandson of William and Mary Sabin

For further info, use the following URL to reference a particularly good bio of William that I found online. It includes much detail and documentation: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sabin-13