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View Tree for Mary DunsterMary Dunster (b. Bef. 25 Oct 1629, d. 28 Dec 1715)

Mary Dunster (daughter of Robert Dunster and Mary Garrett) was born Bef. 25 Oct 1629 in Bury, Lancshire, England, and died 28 Dec 1715 in Sudbury, Middlesex, MA. She married (1) Maj. Simon Willard on 1652 in Lancaster, Worcester, MA, son of Richard Willard and Margery Humphrie. She married (2) Joseph Noyes on 14 Jul 1680.

 Includes NotesNotes for Mary Dunster:
Mary was the cousin of Simon's 2nd wife, Elizabeth Dunster Baptism: It was presumed that she was baptized at Bury, Lancashire, England on Dec 15, 1630 Note: Mary Dunster was either a sister or cousin of Henry Dunster, the 1st presiden of Harvard University. (Source: "Willard Genealogy" by Joseph Willard) Her second marriage on July 14, 1680 to Dea. Joseph Noyes, of Sudbury probably eased her financial burdons and in due time her children became self supporting. She died 28 Dec. 1715 at the age of 85. Mary had petitioned the court for help because of the need of six of her younger children. (No source listed) Another source says she was born in 1625. She was the cousin of Simon Willard's second wife who lived only a year after marriage. Mary outlived Simon and married Deacon Noyes of Sudbury. The following are notes continued for Simon Willard, Mary's husband. They had to be continued here due to lack of space allotted under Simon. Pam Emerson Notes: (Source: "Willard Memoir - The Life and Times of Major Simon Willard") ***** continued from Simon Wilard Notes. By this time, Major Willard was an old man but had been in command of the military in the area for 21 years. Now, with the large number of towns and many young brave men under his command he became active. He endured the hardships and discomforts and dangers of a soldier on the frontier. The town of Brookfield was attacked and burned entirely except one house containing the residents of the town. They would have been killed if it had not been for Major Willard and his force arriving from Groton. At this time Major Willard and family were at Groton. While he was away on military duty, the Indians burned his home. The town of Groton was burned except for 6 fortified homes. Sixty-five dwellings were burned. Major Willard came with forces from Concord to rescue the survivors. Just a note (Pam's) - Nicholas Cady was one of those rescued. The town of Lancaster was burned except for the fortified home of Cyprian Steven's which was fortified and not of wood. Cyprian Stevens was married to Simon Willard's daughter. At this time there was a flu epidemic and many died. Major Willard was resting at Charlestown at the age of 71, from his military hardships and caught the flu and died 24 May 1676. (Scott's Note - This conflicts with other dates which Pam has. This could be a typo.) Over 600 died in the epidemic including Governor Winthrop of Connecticut. Major Simon Willard died with his family surrounding him. At his funeral were several hundred soldiers consisting of 3 companies under command of Capt. Sill, Cutler, and Holbrook and three companies of horses under command of Captains Brattle, Prentice, and Henchman. There were considerable civil attendance. His burial place is not known. (Source: "History of Chelmsford Mass., by Rev. Wilson Waters) Simon Willard was one of the leading citizens of Concord and the ancestor of two presidents of Harvard College. In 1652 under the commission from the government of the Colony, the river Merrimack was explored by Captain Simon Willard and Captain Edward Johnson as far as Lake Winnepseukee. In July 1657, the exclusive right of trading with the Indians on the Merrimack River was sold to Simon Willard, Thomas Henchman, ensign Thomas Wheeler and William Brenton for 25 lbs. In June 1674 the Indians attacked Brookfield and Major Simon Willard on his way from Lancaster to Groton with 47 horsemen turned toward Brookfield and routed the Indians. By 1676 the Indians had been practically exterminated. Philip was shot by his own men and many chiefs were executed and many warriors sold into slavery to the West Indies. From a paper which was presented to the Court after Major Willard's death in a statement of his unpaid services it appears that he was in continual service from Sept. 20, 1675 to April, 1676. This was in civil business, settling of garrisons in towns and settling the Indians of Concord and Chelmsford and other business. After Sept. 1675, Major Willard was busily engaged in ordering the defenses of the Middlesex frontier towns and settling the various bodies of friendly Indians. Garrisons were maintained at Lancaster, Chelmsford, Groton, and Dunstable. Dec. 1675 - Major Willard and three others went to the friendly Indians and persuaded them to stay in certain places so that they would be considered friends. Jan 11, 1675/76 - It was ordered that the troops under Capt. Willard be returned home to defend in place of garrisoned soldiers who have become obnoxious. Major Willard on complaint of the people of Chelmsford fortified the bridge at Billerica and seized two great rafts which the Indians had in possession. On the tax roll in 1675 of the north end of Chelmsford were 13 Stevens families. (Settlers by Savage) The order of names and dates of the children on the family file do not match entirely with Savage. My other soruces are all different from Savage so I have ignored his findings which could be right. from Savage- I suppose that he had some acquaintance in England with military duty for he was made Lieutenant here as early as 1637, Captain in 1646, and Major, the highest rank at the time in 1655 and was a Representative 1636-39 and was chosen Assistant in 1657 to his death 24 April 1676. Before the Indians destroyed Groton in 1676 to where he had removed a few years earlier he had established a retreat in Salem but died in Charleston during the session of the Court of Assistants. For his services the government had many years before granted him 1000 acres of land which he had never taken up but had given it to his daughter Elizabeth on her marriage by his wife Mary was compelled by petition for it in the year of his death. (The Pioneers of Massachusetts by Charles Henry Pope) Willard, Simon, Cambridge, proprietor Moved to Concord. Sergeant appointed to exercise the military Co. 13 8 1636 Was a Kentish soldier. Was either deputy or assistant deputy for about 40 year. Was a major. Had a patent with associated in 1641 for trading with the Indians and collecting tribune from them. Removed to Lexington. Sources: Title: Rose Marie Anderson - descendent of Asa Stevens, Jr. Title: Pamelia T. Emerson of San Diego, CA - descendant of Asa Stevens, Sr. Repository: Call Number: Media: Book Title: "The Compendium of American Genealogy", by Frederick A. Virkus Page: Volume 4, Page 473; 973.0W2v=LDS/SD Title: "Worcester County", LDS/SD Page: Vol 2,4-974.43H2c, p. 152 Title: "Early New England People...Some Account of the Ellis, Pemberton, Willard, Prescott, Titcomb, Sewall..." by Sarah Elizabeth Titcomb, 1882 Page: 57-65,82 also: "Genealogical Research in England," NEHGS "Register," Vol 61, pg. 187 NEHGS "Register," Vol 38, pg. 225 & Vol 61, pg. 187 & "Willard Genealogy," Charles Henry Pope, 1915 & "Willard Memoir," Joseph Willard, 1858 & "Gen. Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England," J ames Savage, 1860-1862. Title: Vital Records of Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts to the Year 1850 Author: The New England Historic Genealogical Society Publication: Boston: 1903; reproduced on CD by Search & ReSearch Publishing Corporation, Wheat Ridge, CO 1998 Repository: Call Number: Media: Book Page: pg. 318 NEHGS "Register," Vol 61, pg. 187 Title: Sudbury Records Publication: NEHGS Register, Vol. 17, July, 1863 Repository: Call Number: Media: Magazine Page: pg. 313 Title: Vital Records of Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts to the Year 1850 Author: The New England Historic Genealogical Society Publication: Boston: 1903; reproduced on CD by Search & ReSearch Publishing Corporation, Wheat Ridge, CO 1998 Repository: Call Number: Media: Book Page: pg. 286

More About Mary Dunster:
Christening: 25 Oct 1629, Bury, Lancashire, England.

More About Mary Dunster and Maj. Simon Willard:
Marriage: 1652, Lancaster, Worcester, MA.

More About Mary Dunster and Joseph Noyes:
Marriage: 14 Jul 1680

Children of Mary Dunster and Maj. Simon Willard are:
  1. Mary Willard, b. 07 Sep 1653, Concord, Middlesex, MA, d. Bef. 1693, Lancaster, Worcester, MA.
  2. +Henry Willard, b. 04 Jun 1655, Concord, Middlesex, MA, d. 1701, Lancaster, Worcester, MA.
  3. John Willard, b. 12 Feb 1656/57, Concord, Middlesex, MA, d. 27 Aug 1726, Concord, Middlesex, MA.
  4. Daniel Willard, b. 29 Dec 1658, Concord, Middlesex, MA, d. 23 Aug 1708, Boston, Suffolk, MA.
  5. Joseph Willard, b. 04 Jan 1660/61, Lancaster, Worcester, MA, d. Bef. 23 Jun 1721, London, Middlesex, England.
  6. Hope Willard, b. Abt. 1663, d. 23 Dec 1663, Lancaster, Worcester, MA.
  7. Benjamin Willard, b. 1665, Lancaster, Worcester, MA, d. 16 Jun 1732, Grafton, Worcester, MA.
  8. Hannah Willard, b. 06 Oct 1666, Lancaster, Worcester, MA, d. Aft. 1743, Sudbury, Middlesex, MA.
  9. Jonathan Willard, b. 14 Dec 1669, Lancaster, Worcester, MA, d. 1706, Sudbury, Middlesex, MA.
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