Hersey Website
A Puritan Man
WILLIAM HERSEY
of
Hingham, Plymouth Colony
INTRODUCTION
William Hersey was the progenitor of all who have borne this surname in Hingham and vicinity. He came to New England in
1635, and early in the autumn of that year located in Hingham with others who were passengers on the ship he came on.
On 3 Jul 1636 he had a house-lot of five acres granted him, on what is now South, nearly opposite West Street.
The lot was bounded east by John Winchester, west by William Buckland, and included within its limits the estate
now owned by heirs of the late Ebenezer Gay, Esq.
The surname Hersey, or Hersy, is an ancient one and probably of French origin, as it appears among the list of noblemen
and gentlemen who went over to England with William The Conqueror. In Old Hingham, England, it is still one of the most
numerous of surnames of the early settlers; and it has well represented the industrious as well as the enterprising and
influential portion of the inhabitants of the town.
At the time of trouble about the election of officers for the train band (1644-45) William Hersey was assessed
a heavy fine for supporting the views of Rev. Peter Hobart and his friends; and the family rate towards the erection of the
new meeting-house was the largest but one on the list. He was undoubtedly a native of England and of Old Hingham;
but the exact place and date of his birth have yet to be determined.
In his will dated 9 Mar 1657/58, proved 29 Apr following, he gives to son William, "ye house and home lott I bought
of Matthew Chafey at ye Capts. tent" etc.; also valuables to sons John & James; to daughters Frances, Elizabeth &
Judith, 5 pounds each; "to my grandchildren, John Croade & William Hersey, 40 shillings each. All ye rest of my land,
housing, goods, etc., to my wife, Elizabeth, during her life as a widow."
Wife, Elizabeth, was appointed executrix. Overseers, "cousin John Farrington, Thomas Marsh,
and my sonne-in-law Richard Croade."
Inventory of the estate, appraised, 28 Apr 1658, by Moses Collier & YThomas Marsh, was 419 pounds, 13 shillings,
6 pence. He was a husbandman, Freemen, Mar 1638; Selectman, 1642, 1647 & 1650; Artillary Co., 1652.[1]
FIRST GENERATION
1. WILLIAM(1) HERSEY, b. Old Hingham, England, d. 22 Mar 1657/58, Hingham, Plymouth Colony;[1] m. England,
ELIZABETH (--?--) b. England. She d. 8 Oct 1671, Hingham.
Children: ( All born @ Hingham, Plymouth Colony except i [1] )
2. i WILLIAM(2) HERSEY, b. c.1632.
ii Frances(2) Hersey; m. 29 Apr 1656, Richard Croade.
iii Elizabeth(2) Hersey; m. Moses Gilman.
iv Judith(2) Hersey, b. c.1638; m. Humphrey Wilson.
3. v John(2) Hersey, b. 1642/43.
4. vi James(2) Hersey, b. 1642/43.
[1] History of Hingham by George Lincoln (1893) Vol. II, Page 298.
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