M. (1) 2 Nov 1664 in Billerica, Massachusetts2
Husband: John Kittredge
M. (2) 16 Jan 1678 in Billerica, Massachusetts3
Husband: John French
D. 9 Oct 1719 in Billerica, Massachusetts4
For much of the 17th century, settlers in New England were exposed to many threats. And several times, Mary Littlefield saw violence from Native Americans who were opposed to the presence of the English.
Mary was born in Woburn, Massachusetts on December 14, 1646 to Francis Littlefield and Jane Hill,1 their only child. Mary's mother died when Mary was just six days old,5 presumably as a result of the complications of her delivery. Afterwards, Francis Littlefield moved to Wells, Maine, and married a woman named Rebecca,6 who gave Mary 11 half-siblings.
On November 2, 1664, Mary married John Kittredge,2 and she moved with him to Billerica, Massachusetts. Between 1666 and 1677, they had five sons. John practiced medicine, but also took an active role in defending the town against Indians, and he fought in the Battle of Quaboag in August 1675, part of King Philip's War.7 He died the following year while Mary was pregnant with their fifth child.8 His will stated that she was to have the use of his land while their sons grew up.9
On November 2, 1664, Mary married John Kittredge,2 and she moved with him to Billerica, Massachusetts. Between 1666 and 1677, they had five sons. John practiced medicine, but also took an active role in defending the town against Indians, and he fought in the Battle of Quaboag in August 1675, part of King Philip's War.7 He died the following year while Mary was pregnant with their fifth child.8 His will stated that she was to have the use of his land while their sons grew up.9
Battle of Quaboag.
Mary married a second husband, John French, on January 16, 1678.3 He had been widowed three times and had three daughters. He had also fought in King Philip's War and was wounded in the Battle of Quaboag — he had one of his thumbs blown off and had taken a hit near his shoulder.10 Because of his service, he was exempted from paying taxes and allowed to sit amongst the important people of the community at church.10 The couple had six children born between 1679 and 1687.
During the 1690s, Mary learned of the deaths of a brother and sister, each killed by Indians in separate incidents.11,12 In a happier event, one of Mary's sons by John Kittredge married the daughter of her husband John French from his earlier marriages.13 John French died in October of 1712, and Mary died seven years later, on October 9, 1719 in Billerica.4 She was buried in the South Burying Grounds in Tewksbury.
Children by John Kittredge:
1. John Kittredge — B. 24 Jan 1666, Billerica, Massachusetts;15 D. 24 Apr 1714, Billerica, Massachusetts;16 M. Hannah French (1664-1755), 3 Apr 1685, Billerica, Massachusetts13
2. James Kittredge — B. 21 Mar 1667, Billerica, Massachusetts;17 D. 30 Apr 1739, Tewksbury, Massachusetts;18 M. (1) Sarah _______ (1680-~1708), before 8 Jan 1699;19 (2) Mary Abbott, 19 Apr 1708, (probably) Billerica, Massachusetts9
3. Daniel Kittredge — B. 22 Jul 1670, Billerica, Massachusetts;20 D. 8 Mar 1741, Tewksbury, Massachusetts;21 M. Elizabeth Foster (~1670-1742), 19 Dec 1694, Billerica, Massachusetts22
4. Jonathan Kittredge — B. 16 Jul 1674, Billerica, Massachusetts;23 D. 8 Mar 1697, Billerica, Massachusetts24
5. Benoni Kittredge — B. 2 May 1677, Billerica, Massachusetts25
Children by John French:
1. John French — B. 15 May 1679, Billerica, Massachusetts;26 D. 17 May 1748, Billerica, Massachusetts;27 M. Ruth Richardson (1685-1730), 13 Feb 1707, Billerica, Massachusetts28
2. Elizabeth French — B. 24 Jul 1681, Billerica, Massachusetts;29 D. 30 Sep 1754, Andover, Massachusetts;30 M. Thomas Abbott, 25 Dec 1706, Billerica, Massachusetts31
3. William French — B. 26 Nov 1683, Billerica, Massachusetts;32 D. 21 Apr 1685, Billerica, Massachusetts33
4. Sarah French — B. 15 Sep 1685, Billerica, Massachusetts;34 M. Joseph Frost (1683-1737), 5 Apr 1710, Charlestown, Massachusetts35
5. William French — B. 8 Aug 1687, Billerica, Massachusetts;36 D. 25 Feb 1746, Billerica, Massachusetts;37 M. Mehitable Patten (1687-1743), about 171238
6. Hannah French — B. 18 Feb 1693, Billerica, Massachusetts;39 D. 12 Dec 1769, Billerica, Massachusetts;40 M. (1) Jonathan Richardson (1682-1720), 1713, Billerica, Massachusetts;38 (2) Benjamin Frost (1688-1753), 15 Feb 1726, Billerica, Massachusetts41
Sources:
1 Birth record of Mary Littlefield, Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of John Kittredge and Mary Littlefield, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
3 Marriage record of John French and Mary Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
4 Death record of Mary French, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
5 Death record of Jane Littlefield, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
6 English Origins of New England Families, Vol. 1, Gary Boyd Roberts, 1985, p. 307
7 General register of the Society of colonial wars, 1899-1902, H. K. Brewer & Co. 1902, p. 687
8 Death record of John Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
9 The Kittredge Family in America, Mabel T. H. Kittredge, 1936
10 History of Billerica, Massachusetts: with a Genealogical Register, Henry Allen Hazen, 1883, pp. 112 & 368
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Hannah (Littlefield) Moulton
12 WikiTree listing of James Littlefield
13 Marriage record of John Kittredge and Hannah French, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
14 Find-a-Grave listing of John French
15 Birth record of John Kittredge (younger), M.T.C., V. & T.R.
16 Death record of John Kittredge (younger), M.T.C., V. & T.R.
17 Birth record of James Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
18 Find-a-Grave listing of James Kittredge
19 Estimated marriage based on birth record of Elisabeth Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
20 Birth record of Daniel Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
21 Death record of Daniel Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
22 New England marriages prior to 1700, Clarence Almon Torrey and Elizabeth Petty Bentley, 1985
23 Birth record of Jonathan Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
24 Death record of Jonathan Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
25 Birth record of Benoni Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
26 Birth record of John French (younger), M.T.C., V. & T.R.
27 WikiTree listing of John French (1679-1748)
28 Marriage record of John French and Ruth Richardson, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
29 Birth record of Elizabeth French, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
30 Find-a-Grave listing of Elizabeth (French) Abbott
31 Marriage record of Thomas Abbott and Elizabeth French, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
32 Birth record of William French (older), M.T.C., V. & T.R.
33 Death record of William French (older), M.T.C., V. & T.R.
34 Birth record of Sarah French, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
35 Marriage record of Joseph Frost and Sarah French, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
36 Birth record of William French (younger), M.T.C., V. & T.R.
37 Death record of William French (younger), M.T.C., V. & T.R.
38 “Lieut. William French and His Descendants,” John M. French, New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 44, Oct 1890, pp. 368-370
39 Birth record of Hannah French, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
40 Death record of Hannah Frost, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
41 Marriage record of Benjamin Frost and Hannah Richardson, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
