Waters Vol. 1: P. 7-9 The area that became Ipswich had good soil and rich fisheries. Hilly areas had been burned clear by the Indians making it easy to till the soil for settlers crops. Worried that the French might settle the area Plymouth colony sent an expedition lead by John Winslow, son of the governor, to establish a settlement there in March of 1633. Essex County Historical Register: In 1637 the General Court voted to send 160 soldiers to the Pequot War. Ipswich was assigned to conscript 17 men. By 1646 Ipswich was a village of streets and lanes with modest houses (most about 18 x18 or less)on three or less acres. Tillage lands near the town were mostly alloted in 6 or 12 acre parcels. Farther out great farms were granted. Joseph Bixby is listed as arriving in 1648 in a summary of names of the first settlers of Ipswich from 1633-1649 (page 491.) In 1648 Joseph is a subscriber in Ipswich for a sum of 4 shillings to help pay a salary to Major Denison, their leader. Joseph bought land of Joseph Jewett and had a deed from his executors. Joseph resold half of the parcel but retained about 20 Acres. Between Nov. 1686 and Mar. 1687 the division of Rowley/Boxford town and the Village of Rowley was made. Joseph was on the committee appointed by the town to carry this out. He and others were required by the town to continue paying the minister's rate at Rowley, but all other rates were to be paid to Boxford. This continued until Boxford built it's own meetinghouse between 1694 and 1696.
Deacon Allen Tayler Bixby in the Commemorative Biographical Record of Toland and Windham says Joseph served in King Phillip's War in 1676 and was made a freeman of Oxford, MA in 1689-90. He made an agreement of marriage 15 Oct 1647 with Sarah, widow of Luke Heard, then of Salisbury, but formerly of Ipswich; Mrs. Bixby was born a Wyatt. Her death occured 19 April 1700.
Joseph wrote his will 11 Nov 1699. It was probated in 1703-4 after his wife's death. He bequeathed to his sons Joseph, George, and Jonathan; his son Daniel had already received his portion. He also bequeathed to his daughters Mary Ston and Abigail; and provides for his wife's comfort.
Soldier in King Phillip's War and Carpenter.
1621 |
October 28, 1621
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Little Waldingfield, Suffolk, England
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October 28, 1621
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Little Waldingfield, Suffolk, Eng.
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October 28, 1621
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Little Waldingfield, Suffolk, England
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1637 |
1637
Age 15
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England to Ipswich
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1647 |
1647
Age 25
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Carpenter, Ipswich, Mass
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1648 |
March 29, 1648
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Ipswich, Essex County, MA, United States
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1649 |
January 1649
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Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony
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1651 |
1651
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Ipswich, Essex, MA
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1653 |
1653
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of Boxford, Essex, Mass
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