Louise-Therese Stebbins

Notes:

Thankfull Stebbins was born in Deerfield, Massachusetts on September 5, 1691 to John and Dorothy (Alexander) Stebbins. She grew up in a village under constant attack by Indians sent from "New France" (Québec) to terrorize English colonists.

On 11 March 1703/4 The French (some 200 Canadian and 140 Indian soldiers), under Jean-Baptiste Hertel de Rouville attacked Deerfield. 40% of the Village was destroyed, and 44 people slaughtered (10 men, 9 women and 25 children). Thankfull and her family, including that of her sister Abigail (married to Jacques Denoyon, a French Canadian living in Deerfield) were captured and taken north to Canada, a 300 mile journey. Once in Canada, the Indians transfered most of the captives over to French authorities, many of the rest were secured later. Of her family only her parents and brother John went back home to Deerfield.

On April 23, 1707, 15 year old Thankful was baptized into The Roman Catholic church, and from then on became known as "Thérèse Stebenne". She married 4 years later to Adrien Charles Legrain dit Lavallée at Boucherville. She was well liked and respected by the community of Chambly, where she and her husband lived and had 11 children. One week after the birth of her last child, on the 11 July 1729, young Thankful died, most likely from complications. She was not buried in the parish church cemetery of St-Joseph-de-Chambly, but rather from Saint Louis, at The Fort Pontchartrain (Fort Chambly). This was a fortunate thing for those of us who descend from her, as her monument (a wooden placque) was still visible, and photographed by historian Charlotte Baker in 1889. It is the old custom in French Canada (originating in Europe) to bury the dead in the church cemetery. After a period of time, if donations stop coming from the family, the stone is removed to make room for a new burial. This is why you will almost never see a headstone older than 100 years in Québec, unless it was from a non-catholic denomination.


Family Members
Parents

Photo
John Stebbins

1646?1724
Photo
Dorothy Alexander Stebbins

1660 ? unknown

Spouse

Adrien Charles Legrain

1688?1758

Siblings

Photo
Abigail Stebbins

1684?1740
Photo
John Stebbins

1685?1760
Samuel Stebbins

1688 ? unknown
Ebenezer Stebbins

1694 ? unknown
Joseph Stebbins

1699?1753

Children

Françoise Thérèse Legrain Lariviere

1713?1753
Charlotte Legrain Vien

1719?1801
Elizabeth Legrain

1721?1806




Family Members of John Stebbins father of Thankful Stebbins
Parents

Photo
John Stebbins

1646?1724
Photo
Dorothy Alexander Stebbins

1660 ? unknown

Spouse

Photo
Mary Stebbins

1696?1733

Siblings

Photo
Abigail Stebbins

1684?1740
Samuel Stebbins

1688 ? unknown
Photo
Thankful Stebbins

1691?1729
Ebenezer Stebbins

1694 ? unknown
Joseph Stebbins

1699?1753

Children

Photo
Joseph Stebbins

1718?1797
Photo
Mary Stebbins Arms

1720?1798
Abigail Stebbins Nash

1723?1749
Photo
Samuel Stebbins

1725?1783
Photo
Thankful Stebbins Severance

1729?1806
Photo
Dorothy Stebbins Kemp

1738?1820

Louise-Therese married Adrien Legrain on 4 Feb 1711 in Boucherville,Quâebec. Adrien (son of Louis Legrain and Louise Bonnet) was born about 1688. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
General Info (i.e., DOB, Death, )see web site below:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~etoilus/n3473.htm#28347

Notes
STEBBENS Thankful-Louise-Therese
Arbre d'ascendance Arbre de descendance Chronogramme
Père : STEBBENS John (1647 - 1724) (Age à la naissance de l'enfant : 44 ans)
Mère : ALEXANDER Dorothee (1660 - 1733) (Age à la naissance de l'enfant : 31 ans)
Freres/Soeurs :
STEBBENS Abigail-Marguerite (1684 )
Naissance :
Date : 5 septembre 1691
Lieu : Grande-Bretagne - Deerfield,Massachusetts,NOUVELLE-ANGLETERRE
Baptême religieux enfant :
Date : 23 avril 1707 (15 ans)
Lieu : Chambly,,,,QUEBEC
Décès :
Date : juillet 1729 (38 ans)
Lieu : Chambly,,,,QUEBEC
Sépulture :
Date : 17 juillet 1729 (37 ans)
Lieu : Chambly,,,,QUEBEC
Prénom : Thankful-Louise-Therese
Nom de famille : STEBBENS
Information de famille :
avec LEGRAIN\LAVALLEE Adrien-Charles (1688) :
Mariage :
Type : Mariage religieux
Date : 4 février 1711 (19 ans)
Lieu : Boucherville Chambly,,,,QUEBEC
enfant :
LEGRAIN\GRAIN Marie (1718 Chambly,,,,QUEBEC - 1742 Pointe-Olivier,,St-Mathias,Cte Rouville,QUEBEC)

STEBBINS Rowland
Arbre de descendance Chronogramme
Naissance :
Date : 1594
Lieu : Grande-Bretagne - Bocking Parish,ANGLETERRE
Décès :
Date : 14 décembre 1671 (77 ans)
Lieu : Grande-Bretagne - Northampton,Massachusetts,NOUVELLE-ANGLETERRE
Prénom : Rowland
Nom de famille : STEBBINS
Information de famille :
avec WHITING Anne-Sarah (1591 - 1649) :
Mariage :
Type : Mariage religieux
Lieu : Grande-Bretagne - Essex County,ANGLETERRE
enfant :
STEBBENS John (1626 - 1679 )

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Census Records | Vital Records | Family Trees & Communities | Immigration Records

1. Charlotte Legrain - Lavati was born on 30 Nov 1719 in Chambly,Quâebec; was christened on 6 Jan 1720 in Chambly,Quâebec; died on 27 Oct 1801 in St-Mathias,Quâebec; was buried on 29 Oct 1801 in St-Mathias,Quâebec.
2. Marie JEAN was born on 15 Oct 1669 in Quebec Quebec Canada; died on 21 Feb 1742 in Beaumont (St-Étienne) Index Général, Québec.
3. Pierre JEAN VIENS was born on 19 Sep 1672 in Beaumont, Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada; died on 1 Nov 1737 in St Etienne de Beaumont, Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada.

Notes:

John Stebbins, Sr died in Northampton in 1678, the manner of his death was regarded as "mysterous, in some way connected with witchcraft, but nothing was proved."

John came to America with his family on the Francis in 1634 and settled with them

in Roxbury, Ma He bought land in Springfield, Ma. in 1646 and in 1651 he bought a house

there. In 1656 he settled in Northampton, Ma. where he lived at the lower end of "Pudding

Lane" (now Hawley Street). He owned a sawmill in Fasthampton.

He was measurer of lands 1659 and again in 1671; Jan 1684 he was chosen bailiff for

the town to clear the meadows of all cattle and swine that are trespassers and impound

them so that they could preserve the corn and grass; he was a selectman in 1675 and again in 1678.

He died in an accident at his sawmill and the commonbelief was that he had been

killed by witches. Two examinations of his body were made and an inquest was held during

which a large number of women were summoned, to examine and touch him, intending in this

way to discover the witch. However no evidence was found concerning witchcraft and no

further action was taken even though 1/2 the jurors believed his death was due to

witchcraft.

His estate was presented in Northampton, Ma. 25 Mar 1679.

After John's death Abigail married 28 Dec 1681 Jedediah Strong, son of John Strong.

Abigail fell from her horse while passing South Hadley Falls, and died soon after. She had

started on 10 Oct 1710 from Northampton to visit her children by her first husband, who

were living in Coventry, Ct.

John married (1) Mary Anne MUNDEN 1, 2 daughter of Thomas MUNDEN Captain and SUSAN on 14 May 1646 in Springfield, Hampden County, MA. Mary was born about 1630 in Probably in England. She died in 1656 in Springfield, Hamden County, MA.

They had the following children:

+ 50 M i John , Jr STEBBINS Captain

51 M ii Thomas STEBBINS 1 was born on 24 Feb 1648/1649 in Springfield, Hamden County, MA. He died on 24 Apr 1650 in Springfield, Hamden County, MA.
52 F iii Anne STEBBINS 1 was born on 10 Apr 1651 in Springfield, Hamden County, MA. She died on 6 May 1652 in Springfield, Hamden County, MA.
53 M iv Edward STEBBINS 1 was born on 12 Jul 1653 in Springfield, Hampden County, MA. He died on 14 Oct 1653 in Springfield, Hampden County, MA.
+ 54 M v Benoni STEBBINS

John married 2 (2) Abigail BARTLETT 1 daughter of Robert BARTLETT and Ann WARRINGER on 17 Dec 1657 in Hartford, Hartford County, CT. Abigail was born 3, 4 on 26 Sep 1636 in Hartford, Hartford County, CT. She died on 10 Oct 1710 in South Hadley Falls, Hampshire County, MA.

1 _FA1

2 DATE 17 OCT 1710

2 PLAC Died, falling from her horse...

They had the following children:

+ 55 M vi Samuel STEBBINS

+ 56 F vii Abigail STEBBINS

+ 57 M viii Thomas STEBBINS

+ 58 F ix Hannah STEBBINS

+ 59 F x Mary STEBBINS

+ 60 F xi Sarah STEBBINS

61 M xii Joseph STEBBINS 1 was born on 17 Jan 1669/1670 in Northampton, MA. He died on 3 Jun 1681.
+ 62 F xiii Deborah STEBBINS

+ 63 F xiv Rebeckah STEBBINS

64 M xv Benjamin STEBBINS 1 was born on 3 Mar 1673/1674 in Northampton, MA. He died on 12 Oct 1778.
1 _FA1

2 DATE 3 MAY 1674

2 PLAC Baptisted

Benjamin married Mary ASHLEY 1 daughter of David ASHLEY and Hannah GLOVER on 21 Dec 1699 in Springfield, CT. Mary was born on 3 Mar 1682/1683 in Westfield, MA. She died on 7 Sep 1769 in Westfield, MA.
+ 65 F xvi Thankful A STEBBINS

John Stebbins, Sr died in Northampton in 1678, the manner of his death was regarded as "mysterous, in some way connected with witchcraft, but nothing was proved."

John Stebbins

Born: 1626 - England

Marr: 17 DEC 1657 - Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA

Died: 7 MAR 1677/78 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Father: Rowland Stebbins

Mother: Sara Whiting

Father: Rowland Stebbins

Mother: Sara Whiting

!st Wife of John Stebbins

Mary Anne Munson

Born: ABT 1626 - Massachusetts, Hampden County, Springfield

Died: AFT 23 JUN 1655 - Massachusetts, Hampden County, Springfield

Father: Thomas Munson

Mother: Joanna Mew

Other Spouses: Abraham Munden

Children

1. John Stebbins

Born: 28 JAN 1645/46 - Massachusetts, Hampden County, Springfield

Marr: 1679 - Dorothy Alexander

Died: 19 DEC 1724 - Deerfield, MA

2. Thomas Stebbins
Born: 24 FEB 1648/49 - Springfield, Hampden County, Ma

Died: 24 APR 1649 ?

3. Ann Stebbins

Born: 10 APR 1651 - Springfield, Hampden County, Ma

Died: 6 MAY 1652 ?

4. Edward Stebbins

Born: 12 JUL 1653 - Springfield, Hampden County, Ma

Died: 14 OCT 1653 ?

5. Benoni Stebbins

Born: 23 JUN 1655 - Springfield, Hampden County, Ma

Marr: 1676 - Mary Broughton (other spouses)

Died: 29 FEB 1703/04 - Deerfield, M

2nd Wife of John Stebbins:

Abigail Barlett

Born: ABT 1636 -

Died: OCT 1710 - Massachusetts, South Hadley Falls

Father:

Mother:

Other Spouses: Jedediah Strong

Children

1. Samuel Stebbins

Born: 21 JAN 1658/59 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

2. Abigail Stebbins

Born: 6 SEP 1660 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

3. Thomas Stebbins

Born: 6 MAY 1662 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

4. Hannah Stebbins

Born: 8 JUL 1664 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

5. Mary Stebbins

Born: 10 SEP 1666 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

6. Sarah Stebbins

Born: 4 JUN 1668 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

7. Joseph Stebbins

Born: 17 JAN 1669/70 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

8. Deborah Stebbins

Born: 5 MAR 1671/72 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

9. Benjamin Stebbins

Born: 3 MAR 1672/73 - Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA

Died: -

10. Rebecca Stebbins

Born: 20 FEB 1674/75 - Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA

Died: -

11. Thankful Stebbins

Born: 11 MAY 1678 - Massachusetts, Hampshire Co., Northampton

Died: -

John Stebbins, Sr died in Northampton in 1678, the manner of his death was regarded as "mysterious, in some way connected with witchcraft, but nothing was proved."

John came to America with his family on the Francis in 1634and settled with them

in Roxbury, Ma He bought land in Springfield, Ma. in 1646and in 1651 he bought a house

there. In 1656 he settled in Northampton, Ma. where he lived at the lower end of "pudding

Lane" (now Hawley Street). He owned a sawmill in Fasthampton.

He was measurer of lands 1659 and again in 1671; Jan1684 he was chosen bailiff for

the town to clear the meadows of all cattle and swine that are trespassers and impound

them so that they could preserve the corn and grass; he was selectman in 1675 and again

1678.

He died in an accident at his sawmill and the common belief was that he had been

killed by witches. Two examinations of his body were made and an inquest was held during which a large number of women were summoned, to examine and touch him, intending in this way to discover the witch. However no evidence was found concerning witchcraft and no further action was taken even though 1/2 the jurors believed his death was due to witchcraft.

His estate was presented in Northampton, Ma. 25 Mar 1679. After John's death Abigail married 28 Dec 1681 Jedediah Strong, son of John Strong. Abigail fell from her horse while passing South Hadley Falls, and died soon after. She had started on 10 Oct 1710 from Northampton to visit her children by her first husband, who were living in Coventry, Ct.

ID: I28653

Name: John STEBBINS

Sex: M

Birth: ABT 1626 in St. Mary's, Bocking, Essex, England 1 2 3 4 5 6

Death: BET 7 MAR 1677 AND 1679 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts 1 2 3 7 4 5 8 9

Burial: Bridgestreet Cemetery 5

Reference Number: 28653

Note:

BIRTH: Stebbins Ancestral Society has birth in Ipswich.

BIOGRAPHY: On Feb. 21, 1649 he was granted land in Springfield. He settled in Northampton between 1654 and 1658, being the first four years of that town's existence, and lived at the end of "Pudding Lane." He owned a sawmill there and in 1672-73 contributed wheat and flax valued at ten shillings to Harvard. He was selectman in 1675 and 1678..

DEATH: Killed in an accident at the sawmill.

Father: Rowland STEBBINS b: BET OCT 1592 AND 1594 in Bocking, Essex, England

Mother: Sarah WHITING b: 30 NOV 1591 in Bocking, Essex, England

Marriage 1 Mary Anne MUNSON b: 1623

Married: BET 14 MAY 1645 AND 1646 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts 1 3 7 8

Note:

Descendants of Rowland Stebbins has marriage in March.

Marriage may have been in Hampshire County.

Children

Thomas STEBBINS
John STEBBINS b: BET 28 JAN 1646 AND 1647 in Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts
Ann STEBBINS b: 10 APR 1651
Edward STEBBINS b: 12 JUL 1653
Benoni STEBBINS b: 23 JUN 1655
Marriage 2 Abigail BARTLETT b: BET 26 SEP 1636 AND 1637 in Hartford, Connecticut

Married: 17 DEC 1657 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts 1 10 3 4 6 11

Children

Sarah STEBBINS b: ABT 1657
Samuel STEBBINS b: BET 21 JAN 1657 AND 1659 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Abigail STEBBINS b: 24 SEP 1660 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Thomas STEBBINS b: 6 MAY 1662 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Hannah STEBBINS b: 8 JUL 1664 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Mary STEBBINS b: 10 SEP 1666 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Joseph STEBBINS b: BET 17 JAN 1668 AND 1670 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Sarah STEBBINS b: 4 JUN 1668 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Deborah STEBBINS b: BET 5 MAR 1670 AND 1672 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Benjamin STEBBINS b: 3 MAR 1674 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Rebecca STEBBINS b: 20 FEB 1676 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Thankful STEBBINS b: 11 MAY 1678 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts
Sources:

Title: A Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England Before1692

Author: James Savage

Title: Stebbins Ancestral Society

Note: ABBR Stebbins Ancestral Society

Note: http://www.stebbinsancestralsociety.org/

Title: Descendants of Rowland Stebbins

Author: Mary Lou Clark

Note: ABBR Descendants of Rowland Stebbins

Title: The Ancestors of John Williams and Selina Brewster

Note: ABBR The Ancestors of John Williams and Selina Brewster

Note: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~syafam/wilmsanc.htm

Title: GeneaNet

Note: ABBR GeneaNet

Note: http://gw.geneanet.org

Note: Database=lovel

Title: Dupre genealogy site

Repository:

Note: http://www.adupree.com/

Media: Internet

Title: USGenWeb

Note: ABBR USGenWeb

Page: Hampshire Co., Mass

Title: Family history : recording the ancestors of Russell Snow Hitchcock

Author: Hitchcock, Russell Snow

Publication: Bath, Maine; 1947

Repository:

Note: Heritage Quest

Media: Book

Title: Descendants of Robert Bartlett

Repository:

Note: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cst/bartlett/team1a.htm

Media: Internet

Title: The Chamberlain Family

Note: ABBR The Chamberlain Family

Note: http://members.shaw.ca/chamberlaingenealogy/

Title: NORTHAMPTON, MA VITAL RECORDS

Repository:

Note: http://www.shypuppy.net/NH-Intro.html

Media: Internet

John Stebbins, son of Rowland Stebbins, was living in Roxbury, Mass. in 1651, but bought a house that year in Springfield. He was one of the original proprietors of Pocumtuck, owning twenty cow commons, and drew house lot, No. 13, there, in what is now Deerfield, Mass., but probably was not a settler. He made his home in Northampton.

He must have been a public spirited man because in 1654 he was a selectman and served on various committees: land survey (1659), laying out of public highways (166l), building of a new meeting house (1661). He served as juror in 1661, and was chosen bailiff responsible for clearing cattle and swine from public meadows. On April 18, 1661, he signed a covenant organizing the church of Northampton. He was also keeper of the sawmill. the place where he eventually died on March 9, 1679. He was apparently killed by some runaway logs, but the suddenness of his death seemed suspicious to some of his neighbors.

A twelve man jury of inquest rendered a verdict, which, while it did not directly charge witchcraft, showed that they more than half believed it had something to do with his death. Two examinations were of the remains and two reports were made to the court. In the first one, they declared that there was a "warmth and heate in his bodv yt dead persons are not usual to have"; they reported that there were "fewer places upon his breast yt seemed to have been pintched, though the doctor informed ym that in his lifetime there was a swelling between the

Pintches"; his neck was as flexible as that of a living person. Upon his body were found "several hundred of spots" that looked as if "they had been shott with small shott." and when thev were scraped there were holes under them. On the second examination, which must have been made soon after the first one, they found, as would very naturally follow, "the body somewhat more cold yn before, his joints were more limber," and several bruises on different parts of his person. which they had not previously discovered. The jury reported to the County Court in April, and Samuel BARTLETT, brother-in-law to STEBBINS. ,and who seems to have been the witch finder in general for the town, brought in all the testimony he could obtain. This evidence, which cannot be found now, was sent to the Court of Assistants at Boston. but no further action was taken. Undoubtedly the testimony pointed to some suspected person, but no one was named in the records......

After the death of John STEBBINS I on March 9, 1679, his widow, Abigail, remarried on December 28, 1681, to Jedediah STRONG, son of Elder John STRONG. She died on July 15, l689.

His first wife, married May 14,1646 at Springfield,MA, was Ann Munson Munden Stebbins, the widow of Abraham Munden of Springfield.
His second wife, married Dec 17,1657 at Northampton,MA, was Abigail Bartlett Stebbins, the daughter of Robert Bartlett and Ann ____ Bartlett. Abigail later married, as his second wife, Jedediah Strong.

Children(by first marriage): John Stebbins Jr, Thomas Stebbins, Ann Stebbins, Edward Stebbins, and Benoni Stebbins.

Children(by second marriage): Samuel Stebbins, Abigail Stebbins Phelps, Thomas Stebbins, Hannah Stebbins Sheldon, Mary Stebbins Strong, Sarah Stebbins Southwell, Joseph Stebbins, Deborah Stebbins Alvord Burt, Benjamin Stebbins, Rebecca Stebbins Strong, and Thankful Stebbins Strong.

Family links:

Parents: Rowland Stebbins (1592 - 1671) Sarah Whiting Stebbins (1591 - 1649) Spouse: Abigail Bartlett Stebbins Strong (1636 - 1689)* Children: Benoni Stebbins (1655 - 1704)* Abigail Stebbins Phelps (1660 - 1748)* Hannah Stebbins Sheldon (1664 - 1704)* Mary Stebbins Strong (1666 - 1733)* Deborah Stebbins Alvord Burt (1671 - ____)
(f/g) John Stebbins Birth: 1626, England Death: Mar. 7, 1679 Northampton Hampshire County Massachusetts, USA

___________________________________________________

His first wife, married May 14,1646 at Springfield,MA, was Ann Munson Munden Stebbins, the widow of Abraham Munden of Springfield.

His second wife, married Dec 17,1657 at Northampton,MA, was Abigail Bartlett Stebbins, the daughter of Robert Bartlett and Ann ____ Bartlett. Abigail later married, as his second wife, Jedediah Strong.

Children(by first marriage): John Stebbins Jr, Thomas Stebbins, Ann Stebbins, Edward Stebbins, and Benoni Stebbins.

Children(by second marriage): Samuel Stebbins, Abigail Stebbins Phelps, Thomas Stebbins, Hannah Stebbins Sheldon, Mary Stebbins Strong, Sarah Stebbins Southwell, Joseph Stebbins, Deborah Stebbins Alvord Burt, Benjamin Stebbins, Rebecca Stebbins Strong, and Thankful Stebbins Strong.

Family links:

Parents: Rowland Stebbins (1592 - 1671) Sarah Whiting Stebbins (1591 - 1649) Spouses: Abigail Bartlett Stebbins Strong (1636 - 1689) Anne Munson Stebbins (1623 - 1656) Children: John Stebbins (1647 - 1724)* Benoni Stebbins (1655 - 1704)* Abigail Stebbins Phelps (1660 - 1748)* Hannah Stebbins Sheldon (1664 - 1704)* Mary Stebbins Strong (1666 - 1733)* Deborah Stebbins Alvord Burt (1671 - ____)
Burial: Bridge Street Cemetery Northampton Hampshire County Massachusetts, USA Maintained by: Kevin Avery Originally Created by: Marigay Record added: Jul 27, 2001 Find A Grave Memorial# 5642542 -tcd

links
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~janarmstrong/steg05.htm#11660
John Stebbins, son of Rowland Stebbins, was living in Roxbury, Mass. in 1651, but bought a house that year in Springfield. He was one of the original proprietors of Pocumtuck, owning twenty cow commons, and drew house lot, No. 13, there, in what is now Deerfield, Mass., but probably was not a settler. He made his home in Northampton.

He must have been a public spirited man because in 1654 he was a selectman and served on various committees: land survey (1659), laying out of public highways (166l), building of a new meeting house (1661). He served as juror in 1661, and was chosen bailiff responsible for clearing cattle and swine from public meadows. On April 18, 1661, he signed a covenant organizing the church of Northampton. He was also keeper of the sawmill. the place where he eventually died on March 9, 1679. He was apparently killed by some runaway logs, but the suddenness of his death seemed suspicious to some of his neighbors.

A twelve man jury of inquest rendered a verdict, which, while it did not directly charge witchcraft, showed that they more than half believed it had something to do with his death. Two examinations were of the remains and two reports were made to the court. In the first one, they declared that there was a "warmth and heate in his bodv yt dead persons are not usual to have"; they reported that there were "fewer places upon his breast yt seemed to have been pintched, though the doctor informed ym that in his lifetime there was a swelling between the

Pintches"; his neck was as flexible as that of a living person. Upon his body were found "several hundred of spots" that looked as if "they had been shott with small shott." and when thev were scraped there were holes under them. On the second examination, which must have been made soon after the first one, they found, as would very naturally follow, "the body somewhat more cold yn before, his joints were more limber," and several bruises on different parts of his person. which they had not previously discovered. The jury reported to the County Court in April, and Samuel BARTLETT, brother-in-law to STEBBINS. ,and who seems to have been the witch finder in general for the town, brought in all the testimony he could obtain. This evidence, which cannot be found now, was sent to the Court of Assistants at Boston. but no further action was taken. Undoubtedly the testimony pointed to some suspected person, but no one was named in the records......

After the death of John STEBBINS I on March 9, 1679, his widow, Abigail, remarried on December 28, 1681, to Jedediah STRONG, son of Elder John STRONG. She died on July 15, l689.

His first wife, married May 14,1646 at Springfield,MA, was Ann Munson Munden Stebbins, the widow of Abraham Munden of Springfield. His second wife, married Dec 17,1657 at Northampton,MA, was Abigail Bartlett Stebbins, the daughter of Robert Bartlett and Ann ____ Bartlett. Abigail later married, as his second wife, Jedediah Strong.

Children(by first marriage): John Stebbins Jr, Thomas Stebbins, Ann Stebbins, Edward Stebbins, and Benoni Stebbins.

Children(by second marriage): Samuel Stebbins, Abigail Stebbins Phelps, Thomas Stebbins, Hannah Stebbins Sheldon, Mary Stebbins Strong, Sarah Stebbins Southwell, Joseph Stebbins, Deborah Stebbins Alvord Burt, Benjamin Stebbins, Rebecca Stebbins Strong, and Thankful Stebbins Strong.

John married Dorothy Alexander. Dorothy (daughter of John Alexander and Beatrice Alexander) died about 1733 in Newton,Massachusetts,USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary Ann Munson on 14 May 1646 in Springfield,Massachusetts,USA. Mary (daughter of Thomas Munson) was born about 1623 in Springfield,Massachusetts,USA; died in 1656 in Springfield,Massachusetts,USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Beatrice Alexander in 1642 in Hartford,Connecticut,USA. Beatrice was born about 1626. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rawling married Sarah Whiting on 30 Nov 1618 in Bocking,Essex,Angleterre. Sarah (daughter of John Whiting and Sarah Smith) was born about 1591 in Bocking,Essex,Angleterre; died on 4 Oct 1649 in Springfield,Massachusetts,USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]