Thomas, a planter and husbandman, was born ca 1608 in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England. With his brother Robert, he came to New England and first settled in Salisbury. Thomas was one of the founders of the town, Amesbury. He bought land on the west side of Powow river, now in Amesbury, and lived there. His wife's name was Eleanor, but her maiden name and ancestry is unknown. Thomas was selected as a partner by his brother, Robert, who was among the first ten purchasers of Nantucket. Thomas himself never lived at Nantucket. He was one of the signatories to articles of agreement between the inhabitants of the "old Town" and the "New Town" in May 1654 in company with Thomas Macy, John Severance and others. He transferred one-half of his share to his brother, Robert, and his son Nathaniel represented him on the Island in the other half share. Regarding his home, "East of the Elihu Coleman house is the Mill-Brook, and a short distance further east, on the south side of the road near a cluster of willow trees, was once a house which was the homestead of Thomas Barnard. Directly across the road lived Nathaniel Barnard. The present road was merely a path for many years. The house lot of Thomas Barnard on which the house of Nathaniel was located, was about 1000 feet square, and southwest of it was the lot of Robert Barnard. These lots extended northeast and southwest, and comprised twenty acres each. The house of Robert cannot be exactly located, neither can the bounds of the lots be identified. But the high land between the Mill-Brook swamp and the Indian boundary line was substantially comprised within the two Barnard lots." Thomas was killed by Indians on July 7, 1677 and Eleanor was appointed administratrix of his estate. Estate of Thomas Barnard, Sr., of Amesbury: Administration upon the estate of Tho. Barnard, sr., late of Amsberie, who was killed by the Indians, was granted October 9, 1677, to Elener, the relict, and she with as many of her husband's children as she could get were ordered to come to the next Salisbury court for a division of the estate between the children and the widow. Inventory of the estate of Thomas Barnard, Sr. taken 21: 6m: 1677, by Phill. Challis, Thomas Wells and John Weed: ye Dwelling house, Barne, orchard & homestead, 140£; a 40 acre lott at ye back River, 25£; 3 acres of meadow att ye pond meadows, 6£; twoe acres of meadow att ye new meadows, 2£10s.; 4 acres of meadow in ye higglety pigleyes, 20£, a sweepage lott, 12£; 10 acres more or less on salisbury side on ye powow River, 20£; 200 acres att ye great lotts, 40£; a 40 acre lott in ye Champion land, 20£; a 50 acre lott att ye childrens land, 25£; a Bugmore lott, 5£; a 40 acre River lott, 38£; 40 acre Lott on ye division beyond ye pond, 16£; a 10 acre lott in ye ox pastures & a swamp lott, 10 £; twoe lotts in ye Lyons mouth, 10£; a payre of oxen, 14£; 4 Cowes, 16£; 2 2 yr. old heiffers & advantage & 3 yearlings, 12£; 3 calves, 2£; eight sheep young & old, 3£ 5s.; a young horse, 2£; 10 swine old & younge, 7£; 8 hives of bees, 2£; English, Indian corne & Flax, 12£; Cart wheels, Irons, chaine, plow & Irons, yokes, 3£; Betle Rings, wedges, axes, howes, forkes, shave, 10s.; Iron potts, Kettle, tramells, spitt, Frying pan, tongues, 2£10s.; Brass & pewter ware, 2£16s.; Bedds, Bedding, Bedsteads, curtains, vallants, 25£10s.; Table linnen & hand towells, 2£10s.; his wearing clothes yt were left, 8£; His Bible wth twoe other Bookes, 10s.; woll & wollen & linnen yarne, 3£14s.; Cubbard, Table, chaires, wheels, formes, 3£; old caske, trayes, Dishes, spones & other necessaries, 3£14s.; Baggs, saddle & grindlestone, 1£10s.; a bull: & 7 yds. of cloth, 4£10s.; his right in common land drawd for but undivided, 5£; in money, 4s.; a bill from Nathaniell Griffin due to ye sd Barnerd, 15s.; Due from his son att Nantucquett pr. Bill, 80£ where of is payd & received 4 barrells of beefe & 30 lbs of sheeps wool; shingle nailes, 4s.; total, 607£ 12s. Attested in Hampton court 9 : 8m : 1677 by Ellenor Barnard, widow of Thomas Barnard, and administratrix of his estate. Elenor Barnard, administratrix of the estate of Tho. Barnard of Amesbury, with four of her sons, asking for a settlement of the estate, court April 9, 1678, ordered to the widow, 200£, comprising the house and home lot, half of the higgledee piggledee lot of salt marsh and the whole sweepage lot at the beach at the prices entered in the inventory, and such things as she desires as per the inventory. Court ordered that unless there be a necessity, as the court should judge, for the sale of any of the lands for her maintenance, she should not sell it or give it away except to one or more of her children. Court also ordered that a due respect being had to what any of the children have already received as portions, the same should be divided among the rest of the children, the eldest son having a double portion. Capt. Tho. Bradbury, Leift. Phillip Challis and John Weed, upon request of some of the children of the widow Barnard, were impowered to divide the estate of their father Tho. Barnard which was given to them, and to make return to the next Norfolk court. Tho. Bradbury, Phillip Challis and John Weed having been appointed by the court April 9, 1678 to divide the estate of Thos. Barnard of Amesbury, who died intestate, have accordingly apportioned to the widow Barnard 200£ and to Tho. Barnard the eldest son 83£ and to the rest of the children, eight in number, 41£ 10s. each, and some overplus their mother to have. Dated April 6, 1679, and approved by the court April 8, 1679. The disposal of part of the lands of Tho. Barnard, sr. of Salisbury, who died intestate, by a committee appointed by the court: to his relict, the dwelling house, barne & homested, 140£; halfe ye higledee piglede lot of salt marsh, 10£; ye whole sweepage lot at ye beach, 12£. To Tho. Barnard ye eldest son, a lot at ye back River, 25£; halfe ye higle piglee marsh lot, 10£; ye right in comon land, 5£; 10 upland & 2 acre lot of meadow, 14£. Acknowledged and accepted March 24, 1683/4 by Thomas Barnard. After Thomas's death, Eleanor married George Little of Newbury on July 19, 1681. She died November 27, 1694. Memorial to the First Settlers of Amesbury Including Thomas Barnard and Thomas Macy Please send e-mail to Sam Behling. See lineage of Barnard Family Read about Thomas's father, Thomas Barnard Read about Thomas's brother, Robert Barnard Read about Thomas's son, Nathaniel Barnard Read about Thomas's grandson, Benjamin Barnard Read about Thomas's great grandson, Timothy Barnard Read about Thomas's great, great grandson, Timothy Barnard Read about Thomas's 3rd great grandson, Uriah Barnard Read about Thomas's 4th great grandson, George Barnard
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