SOME DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM SALISBURY
This is the line from William and Susanna Salisbury of Dorchester, Milton and Swansea, MA that I descend from. I have some information on the other families in this file and will be glad to share anything I have with others who are interested in this family. Feel free to let me know of any corrections or additions to this family. I have placed some of my sources at the end of this page. E-mail to Ginny Deagan (NEW E-MAIL:[email protected])
.1. William Salisbury was born about 1622, probably in Denbighshire, Wales. His parents are not known. He was possibly brother of John Salisbury of Llanrhiader, near Denbigh who emigrated 16301640 who was son of Henry Salisbury, second son of Henry Salisbury, heir of Lleweni. His wife's name was Susanna (some say her surname was Kent). William was living in Dorchester, Suffolk Co. MA in 1648 and for a time was herdsman of the town cattle. On 18 May 1664, he moved to Milton, Norfolk County, MA and then moved to Swansea, Bristol County, MA as early as 1671. Widow Salisbury was admitted to Dorchester Church 7 May 1677 and all her 8 children were baptized there on 1 July 1677. 18 September 1681 she was dismissed to join the newly formed church at Milton, MA. [Milton was formed from part of Dorchester]
[Note: This tale has not been proven but has been widely told] On Sunday, 20 June 1675, while the Swansea settlers were at church, some Indians shot some of their cattle. The frightened people moved to the garrison house. On the 23rd of June, William and his son, John left the garrison house to try to salvage some of their geese. They found the geese dead and also found some Indians ransacking their home. William ordered his son, John, to shoot and one of the Indians was wounded, possibly killed. The next day, June 24th, the Indians went to Swansea and found William and his son, John, and killed them both and cut off their heads. It is said that King Philip's War was started by young John Salisbury. William was buried on 24 June 1675 at Milton, MA.
William's wife, Susannah was left with seven children from ages fifteen to one month. She returned to Dorchester which became Milton, because of the war and was admitted to the Dorchester Church on 7 May 1677. All of the children were baptised in Dorchester at that time. Susannah died about 11 November 1684 and her eldest son, William of Swansea was named administrator of her estate and that of his father which had previously been under the widow's administration.
Children of William and Susannah Salisbury:
2.William SalisburyAnna Cole. She was the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Foxwell) Cole, born 14 October 1664 in Plymouth County, MA. She died at age 38 on 23 June 1704 a few months after the birth of her tenth child. After Anna's death William was married again to Mary Ormsby (or Armstrong) on 27 June 1705 at Swansea, Bristol County, MA.
In 1685, William was a Surveyor of Highways and a large owner of lands. He was one of the signers of the petition to the governor and council of Massachusetts for the division of the town of Swansea, Bristol County, MA. He died 3 April 1726 at age 66 in Swansea. He left a will dated 29 March 1726 naming his wife, Mary and son, Richard as Executors.
Children of William and Anna (Cole) Salisbury:
Children of William and Mary (Armstrong) Ormsby: All born in Swansea, MA.
3. Anna Salisbury, b. 15 Mar 1690. Married Samuel Bullock
For family of Samuel Bullock and Anna (Salisbury) Bullock, see Descendants of Richard Bullock, Generations 2-3 .
SOME SOURCES