Ancestors of William SPRAGUE Generation No. 1 1. William SPRAGUE, born October 26, 1609 in Dorset, Upway, England; 01; died October 26, 1675 in Hingham, Massachusetts; 01. He was the son of 2. Edward SPRAGUE and 3. Christiana HOLLAND. He married (1) Millesaint EAMES May 26, 1635 in Charlestown, Massachusetts; Quality: 01. She was born 1615 in St. George, Fordington, Dorset, England; 01, and died February 08, 1694/95 in Hingham, Massachusetts; 01. Notes for William SPRAGUE: Description: (From LDS record # AFN: 73NL-VG) Description: (From LDS record # AFN: 73NL-VG) The names of Ralph, Richard & William Sprague stand at the head of the list of Settlers in the record of the first meeting of the inhabitants of Charlestown, (See Green's Narrative.) 1645, chosen one of seven "selectmen" to order the prudential affairs of the town. 1662, constable and collector of town rates. 19 Oct, 1675, the date of his last will & testament. ********************************************************************** ******* The narrative below appears in the book "Sprague Families in America". William, Ralph & Richard came to Salem, Mass. in 1628, at the interest of the Massachusetts Bay Company, paying their own way. Richard died without issue. Ralph & William became the heads of long lines of descendants in America. Soon after their arrival, they were commissioned by Governor Endicott of Salem to explore the area called "Mishawum". This was an area between the Mystic & Charles rivers occupied by a Native American tribe called the "Alberginians", whom they wintered with and made friends among. At a place not too far from the village, they and a man named Mr. Bright, an engineer with the company, laid out the original grid for the town they named "Charlestown". The Honorable Edward Everett, in his oration commemorative of the bicentennial of the arrival of Winthrop at Charlestown, in speaking of the Sprague's said "They are the founders of the settlement in this place, and were persons of character, substance & enterprise; excellent citizens; generous benefactors; and the heads of a very large and respectable family of descendants." Hosea Sprague wrote in 1833 "The tombstones of Lieutenant Ralph & Captain Richard Sprague, the first settlers of Charlestown, remain to this day; the inscription, however, is obliterated by the dropping of water." ********************************************************************** ******* Other Sprague references as yet un researched: Spragues of Hingham, Hosea Sprague Frothingham's History of Charlestown Felt's annals of Salem (Mass) Hutchinson's history of Massachusetts Bradford's History of Massachusetts "Founding of Charlestown by the Sprague's, a glimpse of the beginnings of the Massachusetts Bay settlements", Henry Sprague, 1910, a pamphlet of 39 pages in which he concludes that the three brothers came with Governor Endicott aboard the ship "Abigail", which arrived at Salem, Massachusetts on September 6th, 1628. More About William SPRAGUE: Burial: October 28, 1675, Hingham, Massachusetts; Quality: 01 Notes for Millesaint EAMES: Description: (From LDS Record # AFN: 2JVC-W1) Description: (From LDS Record # AFN: 2JVC-W1) More About Millesaint EAMES: Burial: 1695, Hingham, Massachusetts; Quality: 01 Marriage Notes for William SPRAGUE and Millesaint EAMES: Description: (From LDS Record # AFN: 2JVC-W1) More About William SPRAGUE and Millesaint EAMES: Marriage: May 26, 1635, Charlestown, Massachusetts; Quality: 01 Generation No. 2 2. Edward SPRAGUE, born 1577 in Fordington, St. George, Dorset, England; 01; died June 06, 1614 in Canterbury, Upway, Dorsetshire, England; 01. He was the son of 4. Tristram SPRAGUE and 5. Elizabeth COLT. He married 3. Christiana HOLLAND 1597 in Dorset, Upway, England; Quality: 01. 3. Christiana HOLLAND, born 1578 in Fordington, St. George, Dorset, England; 01; died March 25, 1651 in Upway, Dorset, England; 01. She was the daughter of 6. John HOLLAND. Notes for Edward SPRAGUE: Description: LDS # AFN: 8TGW-FD Description: LDS # AFN: 8TGW-FD Description: LDS # AFN: 8TGW-FD Edward Sprague was a "fuller" by trade. His fulling mill was still standing at the turn of the century (1900). He is buried in the church yard in Dorset. His will was discovered in the papers of Captain William Sprague who died in 1832. The will was published in the 2nd edition of Hosea Sprague's book entitled "The Genealogy of the Spragues of Hingham, Massachusetts". On a trip to McConnelsville, Ohio 1n Feb 1996, I consulted a book called "The Charles Leroy (Roy) Sprague Family" which is in the Kate Love Simpson Library genealogy section. Two descendants of Edward traced his roots by going to England. It seems that Edwards true parents are a mystery. Two possible immigration routes into Upway, England are discussed with no concrete conclusion as from whence he came. There seems no reason to continue looking for earlier roots until someone, somewhere finds solid papers to substantiate Edward's father. I will not attempt to transcribe any part of the above book. It is interesting to read if you get over that way. =============================================== >From the Rootsweb.com Sprague Database: "The Sprague Family From Dorset, To Massachusetts & Gibraltar.", by Joan Watkins, 1992, correspondent. Turbulent politics and religious strife were widespread in England as the reign of King Henry VIII came to an end in 1547. The subsequent decade did not improve as contenders for the throne vied for supremacy until Elizabeth I became queen. During this era, Tristram Sprague was baptized in 1550 in Fordington St. George Church, Dorchester, part of the Hundreds of Uggescomb which belonged to the Duchy of Cornwall. At that time the county of Dorset with its rolling green landscape of meadows and tillage was lush. Agriculture especially sheep and cattle thrived. It is believed that the Sprague family were by trade Fullers, so that the plentiful supply of fleece and local weaving enabled their business to flourish. Fulling is a craft going back to ancient times that is an essential part of finishing newly woven cloth. According to records there was a Mill situated on the banks of a stream drawn from the River Frome that ran through Dorchester in the vicinity of Fordington. It could be that this mill was used by the Sprague family for the purposes of Fulling. Also it is thought they lived nearby in a house on Mill Street (written about by Hardy as Mixen Lane.) According to a Census of 1641 a William Sprague lived in Mill Street. In 1575, Tristram married Elizabeth Colt of Puddletown. A son Edward was born in 1576. He grew to manhood in this prosperous atmosphere, and in 1595 Edward married Christian Holland and moved from Dorchester to live in Upway, near Weymouth. Their home was the "Mill House" situated near the River Wey, a small stream that worked the Mill for Fulling. (Note: The Mill House is still in existence and the village boasts the "Sprague Wishing Well", and a set of Bells given to the church nearby). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Joan Watkins, 1997 Since writing the foregoing saga base on the researches, etc. made by Mr. R. Macdonald circa 1965-72, and letters held by my mother, I have had further information and documentation from Richard E. Weber of USA on the Spragues. On the basis of Mr. Weber's documents and of my recent visits to the Dorchester Records office where I was able to examine micro-films and other details, I am now of the opinion that Tristram and Elizabeth were NOT the parents of Edward of Upway. Their lineage seems to be well defined in the Puddletown Records, with a succession of recorded baptisms each stating 'son or daughter of Tristram, but no mention of an "Edward". Very little is available for Fordington for that period. The only anomaly is the entry in both Fordington and Puddletown for the marriage of Tristram and Elizabeth, differing in dates (January - June 1575). It would seem to me that a John Spragg(ue) might have been the father, as that name features in so many future elder sons. A lot of the Dorchester records of that era no longer exist or are with the Ducy of Cornwall. Being unable myself to visit that office in London they cannot help me as at present they have no "personal name index". I have however made contact with the new owners of the Mill House in Upway (previously it was empty). They have recently bought the Freehold to the property and I am told that the documents go back to the sixteenth century. I hope one day to get to see them, but they are deposited with the Owners' Bank. I understand from them that there were two mills on the site, one for cloth and one for grain and the freehold was held by Merchants in London. The language and writing is in most cases rather obscure but perhaps further examination may give a clue as to when Edward became a lessee, etc. The claim put forward that Simon Sprague of Winsham, Chard was Edward of Upway's father differs from the extensive personal searches made by R. Macdonald. The only reference he records is from the "Somerset & Dorset Notes and Queries", Vol. 2, Page 54: "Simon Sprake, Clothier of Winsham, Chard was a Creditor of Sergeant Leonard of the Parish of Fordington 1575." There is no mention of administering the estate or that he had a son Edward in Upway. It seems strange that Ralph and his brothers went to Fordington after their father Edward's death rather than contact the Chard family, and nothing further appears to have been mentioned of that area during that time. I have enclosed a copy of a map of Dorchester where R. Macdonald has annotated that a William Sprague was living in Mill Street in the Census of 1641. Also an overall map of Dorset and Somerset where the many variations of Sprake - Spragg were recorded as living in the sixteenth Century. I believe R. Macdonald visited as many of the sites as possible to check on any information +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Continuing with Joan Watkins' history, dated 1992. In 1597 a daughter Alice was born followed in 1599/1600 by Ralph (Ralfe) and subsequently four more sons, namely, Edward, Richard, Christopher and William in 1610. As the 16th Century gave way to the 17th, so the County of Dorset's farming community enjoyed years of prosperity. The main elements being dairy products and the raising of sheep for their wool. It was recorded then that the County produced the largest number of shorn wool packs in England. Most of it was spun and woven in the rural areas, giving employment to the outlying farms. The products were also exported through Weymouth to the Continent particularly Brittany and Normandy. Edward did not enjoy robust health and in 1614 he died at an untimely age of 38/40, leaving his wife Christian to look after the 6 children all under the age of 21. A copy of Edward's Will, translated from Latin was found, in which after commending his soul to the Almighty God, he bequeathed "to the Poor of Upway 10s, to the Church of Upway 19s. Unto Ralph my eldest son, one of the oldest pair of shears in my shop and one lesser pair called the quarell..." To each of his sons and daughter he left 20 (pounds) and all the rest of his chattels to his widow Christian. In a memorandum he added that "if the Living doth fall unto Ralph, then upon his father's request, he (Ralph) promises that his mother Christian shall enjoy the Living until he be 21 years." The Will also included a complete inventory of chattels, which included four score sheep, forty-two lambs, one horse, seven kyne, 3 yearlings and one pig and 4 1/2 acres of corn. (NOTE: this story is continued in the notes for son, Ralph Sprague.) >From Richard Fricke. Edward of Upway, Dorset Co., England was a fuller by trade. He married Christian of Alice. "Ancestral File - Ver 4.11" Edward Sprague (AFN:8TGW-FD) "History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater", by Nahum Mitchell. Ralph, Richard and William Sprague, were among the first comers and settlers in Massachusetts Colony in 1628. They were brothers, and settled at Charlestown, from whence William, the youngest, removed to Hingham. "The Brothers Ralph and William Sprague and Some of Their Descendants", from the April 1909 NEHGS Register, page 147. We know that Ralph and William Sprague were the sons of Edward Sprague, fuller, and his wife Christian, of Upway, county Dorset, England, as they are mentioned in his will, dated 16 June 1614. He had altogether six children, three of whom came to America. Of these three, only Ralph and William concern us. "The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biographical", American Historical Society, Inc., 1920, pages 400-402. William Sprague, immigrant ancestor and progenitor, was a son of Edward Sprague, of Upway, Dorsetshire, England. Edward Sprague lived at Fordington, Dorsetshire, in early life, and was a fuller by trade. He married Christina, and died in 1614. His will was proved June 6, 1614, in the prerogative court at Canterbury, and copies of the document made at this time are still in possession of the family. Three of his sons, Ralph, Richard, and William came to America. In Prince's "Chronology" we find the following mention of the brothers: Among those who arrived at Naumkeag are Ralph Sprague, with his brothers Richard and William, who, with three or four more, were employed by Governor Endicott to explore and take possession of the country westward. They traveled through the woods to Charlestown, on a neck of land called Michawum, between Mystic and Charles rivers, full of Indians named Alberginians, with whom they made Peace." Ralph Sprague was about twenty-five years of age when he came to New England in 1631. Captain Richard Sprague commanded a company of the train band. On February 10, 1634, the order creating a Board of Selectmen was passed, and Richard and William Sprague signed it. Richard Sprague left no posterity. His sword which is named in his brother William's will, was extant in 1828. "American Families--Genealogies and Biographical Information from Most Authentic Sources Including Much Valuable Material Drawn from Hitherto Unpublished Family Records with Accurate Reproduction--and Descriptions of Ancient Emblazonry Compiled by Masters of Genealogical and Heraldic Science", published by The American Historical Society, Inc., New York, 1921, pages 30-40. Edward Sprague lived in Upway (Upway), Dorsetshire, England, a small hamlet situated midway between Dorchester and Weymouth, the seaport, four miles from either town, and at the foot of the Ridgway Hill, where the River Way takes its rise. He was a fuller by trade, and it is claimed that his fulling mill of three hundred years ago has been but recently demolished. He possessed considerable property for his time, as his will and inventory show. That he was a man of quality, the preamble of his will bears testimony. Upway town records have been destroyed by fire since his time, so that many things of primary interest are unobtainable. The original will of Edward, probated Oct. 13, 1614, a few days after his death, requesting Ralph to "promise that his mother Christiana shall quietly enjoy the said living until he shall be one and twenty years of age," has been handed down, in fine preservation with writing distinct, to the present generation. The widow Christiana married John Corbin, of Upway. Wife's Notes "Ancestral File - Ver 4.11" Christiana Holland (AFN:8TGW-GK) >From Sue Bates, correspondent. The original Will of Edward, probated Oct. 13, 1614, a few days after his death, requesting Ralph to "promise that his mother Christiana shall quietly enjoy the said living until he shall be one and twenty years of age," has been handed down, in fine preservation with writing distinct, to the present generation. The widow Christiana married John Corbin, of Upway. More About Edward SPRAGUE: Burial: October 13, 1614, St Lawrence Church, Upway, Dorset, England; Quality: 01 Notes for Christiana HOLLAND: Description: (From LDS RECORD # AFN: 8TGW-GK Description: (LDS Record # AFN: 8TGW-GK) More About Edward SPRAGUE and Christiana HOLLAND: Marriage: 1597, Dorset, Upway, England; Quality: 01 Children of Edward SPRAGUE and Christiana HOLLAND are: i. Alice SPRAGUE, born 1597 in Fordington, England; 01; died May 03, 1668 in Tincleton, England; 01; married Richard EAMES June 05, 1615 in place unknown; Quality: 01. Notes for Alice SPRAGUE: Sprague Database on Rootsweb.com has her born in Dorset, Upway county, England. Shows marriages to a Richard Eames,1615, John Holland, 1638. More About Richard EAMES and Alice SPRAGUE: Marriage: June 05, 1615, place unknown; Quality: 01 ii. Edward SPRAGUE, born December 15, 1601 in Fordington, England; 01; died December 15, 1633 in 01 iii. Ralph SPRAGUE, born 1603 in Dorset, Upway, England; 01; died November 24, 1650 in Middlesex County, NJ; 01; married Joanna WARREN August 15, 1623 in Fordington, England; Quality: 01; born 1603 in 01; died February 24, 1678/79 in Woburn, Middlesex County, MA; 01. Notes for Ralph SPRAGUE: Sprague database, Rootsweb.com has his birth date about 1599. Spouse: Joanna Warren (1603-1680) Marr: 15 Aug 1623, Fordington, St. George, Dorset, England. More About Ralph SPRAGUE and Joanna WARREN: Marriage: August 15, 1623, Fordington, England; Quality: 01 iv. Richard SPRAGUE, born 1605 in Dorset, Upway, England; 01; died November 25, 1658 in Charlestown, Massachusetts; 01 Notes for Richard SPRAGUE: SPRAGUE, RICHARD, merchant, and one of the founders of Charlestown, Mass., where he was several years a selectman; from 1659 to 1666, was a representative; D. Nov. 25, 1668. (Young's Chronicles. Mass., P. 373.) Seems to be two different death years. Roots web says 1658. v. Christopher SPRAGUE, born 1607 in Fordington, England; 01; died March 31, 1625 in Dorset, Upway, England; 01; married Ann GREY Unknown in Fordington, England; Quality: 01. More About Christopher SPRAGUE: Burial: March 31, 1625, Dorset, Upway, England; Quality: 01 More About Christopher SPRAGUE and Ann GREY: Marriage: Unknown, Fordington, England; Quality: 01 1 vi. William SPRAGUE, born October 26, 1609 in Dorset, Upway, England; 0; died October 26, 1675 in Hingham, Massachusetts; 0; married Millesaint EAMES May 26, 1635 in Charlestown, Massachusetts; Quality: 0. Generation No. 3 4. Tristram SPRAGUE1, born 1550 in Fordington, St. George, Dorset, England; 01; died June 26, 1575 in Puddletown, Dorsetshire, England; 01. He married 5. Elizabeth COLT Unknown in England; Quality: 0. 5. Elizabeth COLT1, born 1554 in Puddletown, Dorsetshire, England; 01. Notes for Tristram SPRAGUE: Description: From LDS Record # AFN: 8TGW-HQ Description: (From LDS record # AFN: 8TGW-HQ) "The Sprague Family From Dorset, To Massachusetts & Gibraltar.", by Joan Watkins, 1992, correspondent. Turbulent politics and religious strife were widespread in England as the reign of King Henry VIII came to an end in 1547. The subsequent decade did not improve as contenders for the throne vied for supremacy until Elizabeth I became queen. During this era, Tristram Sprague was baptized in 1550 in Fordington St. George Church, Dorchester, part of the Hundreds of Uggescomb which belonged to the Duchy of Cornwall. At that time the county of Dorset with its rolling green landscape of meadows and tillage was lush. Agriculture especially sheep and cattle thrived. It is believed that the Sprague family were by trade Fullers, so that the plentiful supply of fleece and local weaving enabled their business to flourish. Fulling is a craft going back to ancient times that is an essential part of finishing newly woven cloth. According to records there was a Mill situated on the banks of a stream drawn from the River Frome that ran through Dorchester in the vicinity of Fordington. It could be that this mill was used by the Sprague family for the purposes of Fulling. Also it is thought they lived nearby in a house on Mill Street (written about by Hardy as Mixen Lane.) According to a Census of 1641 a William Sprague lived in Mill Street. In 1575, Tristram married Elizabeth Colt of Puddletown. A son Edward was born in 1576. He grew to manhood in this prosperous atmosphere, and in 1595 Edward married Christian Holland and moved from Dorchester to live in Upway, near Weymouth. Their home was the "Mill House" situated near the River Wey, a small stream that worked the Mill for Fulling. (Note: The Mill House is still in existence and the village boasts the "Sprague Wishing Well", and a set of Bells given to the church nearby). Joan Watkins, 1997 Since writing the foregoing saga base on the researches, etc. made by Mr. R. Macdonald circa 1965-72, and letters held by my mother, I have had further information and documentation from Richard E. Weber of USA on the Spragues. On the basis of Mr. Weber's documents and of my recent visits to the Dorchester Records office where I was able to examine micro-films and other details, I am now of the opinion that Tristram and Elizabeth were NOT the parents of Edward of Upway. Their lineage seems to be well defined in the Puddletown Records, with a succession of recorded baptisms each stating 'son or daughter of Tristram, but no mention of an "Edward". Very little is available for Fordington for that period. The only anomaly is the entry in both Fordington and Puddletown for the marriage of Tristram and Elizabeth, differing in dates (January - June 1575). It would seem to me that a John Spragg(ue) might have been the father, as that name features in so many future elder sons. A lot of the Dorchester records of that era no longer exist or are with the Ducy of Cornwall. Being unable myself to visit that office in London they cannot help me as at present they have no "personal name index". I have however made contact with the new owners of the Mill House in Upway (previously it was empty). They have recently bought the Freehold to the property and I am told that the documents go back to the sixteenth century. I hope one day to get to see them, but they are deposited with the Owners' Bank. I understand from them that there were two mills on the site, one for cloth and one for grain and the freehold was held by Merchants in London. The language and writing is in most cases rather obscure but perhaps further examination may give a clue as to when Edward became a lessee, etc. The claim put forward that Simon Sprague of Winsham, Chard was Edward of Upway's father differs from the extensive personal searches made by R. Macdonald. The only reference he records is from the "Somerset & Dorset Notes and Queries", Vol. 2, Page 54: "Simon Sprake, Clothier of Winsham, Chard was a Creditor of Sergeant Leonard of the Parish of Fordington 1575." There is no mention of administering the estate or that he had a son Edward in Upway's. It seems strange that Ralph and his brothers went to Fordington after their father Edward's death rather than contact the Chard family, and nothing further appears to have been mentioned of that area during that time. I have enclosed a copy of a map of Dorchester where R. Macdonald has annotated that a William Sprague was living in Mill Street in the Census of 1641. Also an overall map of Dorset and Somerset where the many variations of Sprake - Spragg were recorded as living in the sixteenth Century. I believe R. Macdonald visited as many of the sites as possible to check on any information Notes for Elizabeth COLT: Description: (From LDS record # AFN: 8TGW-JW) More About Tristram SPRAGUE and Elizabeth COLT: Marriage: Unknown, England; Quality: 0 Child of Tristram SPRAGUE and Elizabeth COLT is: 2 i. Edward SPRAGUE, born 1577 in Fordington, St. George, Dorset, England; 0; died June 06, 1614 in Canterbury, Upway, Dorsetshire, England; 0; married Christiana HOLLAND 1597 in Dorset, Upway, England; Quality: 0. 6. John HOLLAND1, born Abt. 1548 in Of, , England; 01. Notes for John HOLLAND: Description: (LDS Record # AFN: QDDJ-PM) Child of John HOLLAND is: 3 i. Christiana HOLLAND, born 1578 in Fordington, St. George, Dorset, England; 0; died March 25, 1651 in Upway, Dorset, England; 0; married Edward SPRAGUE 1597 in Dorset, Upway, England; Quality: 0. Endnotes 1. TITLE.