M. (probably) in Ipswich, Massachusetts1
Wife: Hannah _______
D. 17 Feb 1700 in Dracut, Massachusetts2
Like many New England colonists, Edward Colburn built his home with his family’s safety in mind—strong enough to withstand a violent attack. Edward was born in an unknown place in England in 1618 (his last name had variations of Coburn, Colborne or Colbourne).1 He seems to have migrated to America with an older brother Robert on the ship Defence, which sailed in July 1635, arriving in Boston on October 8th.1
Edward settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and was said to be employed by one of the Saltonstall family,3 probably Richard, a prominent man in Ipswich. As his employee, Edward cultivated a farm, but didn't own the land. He is later mentioned as “Nathaniel Saltonstall’s farmer” in Ipswich town records.3 In 1664, Edward seems to have been renting a farm from the Saltonstalls that was transferred from Richard to his son Nathaniel, described as a “farm in Ipswich at the new meadows containing by estimation eight hundred acres now in the occupation of Edward Colborne.”3
Richard Saltonstall
While living in Ipswich, Edward married a woman named Hannah (her origins are unknown).1 They would have nine children of whom seven were boys. The records of Ipswich burned in a fire in 1831, and their exact birth dates are unknown.
At some point during the late 1660s, Edward purchased land in Dracut near the Merrimack River. Edward was settled there by 1673 and was believed to be the first permanent white settler in "ye wildernesse on ye Northerne side of Merrimac River."3 A man named Samuel Varnum was also living nearby and the two families would have a long history of intermarriage. Eventually the land would be incorporated into the town of Dracut.
It was said that Edward “erected a Garrison House, and, with his seven stalwart sons and his sons-in-law, he was able to protect himself from the thieving bands of Indians, while aid could be summoned in time of danger, when larger bands would be on the warpath.”3 A garrison house had a distinct style of architecture, usually with an upper floor slightly larger than the one below it, giving it a small overhang. They were built more solidly than normal, which was thought to be necessary in remote places. It was said that Edward's homestead remained in the Colburn family for five generations, though it was added onto so many times, the original structure was obliterated.
1913 photo of the Colburn homestead.
The land where Edward lived was in a vulnerable position during King Philip's War and on March 18, 1676, he suffered an attack by the Wamesit Indians, who burned down “three or four [houses] that belong to the family of Edward Colburn.”3 Edward was a corporal in the militia then;3 his second oldest son was in the militia as well, and was killed in an Indian ambush in August 1675 at Brookfield.1 Edward also served as corporal in King William’s War in command of the local garrison in July 1689.3
In Edward’s later years, he deeded land to each of his sons. The youngest one, Joseph, was given property with the condition that he “provide for me and my dear wife so long as it shall please God to continue both or either of us in this life.”1 Edward died in Dracut on February 17, 1700.2 It is not known when his wife Hannah died.
Children:
1. John Colburn – B. about 1645, Ipswich, Massachusetts;1 D. 31 Jan 1695, Chelmsford, Massachusetts;4 M. Susannah Read (?-1740), 10 Mar 1671, Chelmsford, Massachusetts5
2. Robert Colburn – B. about 1647, Ipswich, Massachusetts;1 D. 17 Jun 1701, Concord, Massachusetts;6 M. Mary Bishop (1651-1742), before 16701
3. Thomas Colburn – B. about 1649, Ipswich, Massachusetts;1 D. 15 Feb 1728, Lunenburg, Massachusetts;7 M. (1) Hannah Rolfe, 6 Aug 1672, Chelmsford, Massachusetts;8 (2) Mary Richardson (1662-?), 17 Sep 1681, Chelmsford, Massachusetts9
4. Edward Colburn – B. about 1651, Ipswich, Massachusetts;1 D. 2 Aug 1675, Brookfield, Massachusetts1
5. Daniel Colburn – B. about 1653, Ipswich, Massachusetts;1 D. 1 Aug 1712, Dracut, Massachusetts;10 M. Sarah Blood (1658-1741), 18 Jun 1685, Chelmsford, Massachusetts1
6. Hannah Colburn – B. about 1655, Ipswich, Massachusetts;1 M. (1) Thomas Richardson (1661-1700), 28 Sep 1682, Chelmsford, Massachusetts;12 (2) John Wright, before 17131
7. Ezra Colburn – B. 16 Mar 1659, Ipswich, Massachusetts;1 D. 4 Jun 1739, Dracut, Massachusetts;13 M. Hannah Varnum (1661-?), 22 Nov 1681, Chelmsford, Massachusetts14
8. Joseph Colburn – B. 16 Jun 1661, Ipswich, Massachusetts;15 D. 13 Nov 1733, Dracut, Massachusetts;16 M. (1) Hannah ______ (~1661-1721), before 1684;1 (2) Deborah Stevens, after 8 Dec 1722, Dracut, Massachusetts1
9. Lydia Colburn – B. 20 Aug 1666, Ipswich, Massachusetts;17 M. John Walker (~1665-?), before 16861
Sources:
1 The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Robert Charles Anderson, 1999
2 Death record of Edward Colburn, Massachusetts, town Clerk, Vital and Town Reocrds, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
3 Genealogy of the Descendants of Edward Colburn/Coburn, George A. Gordon and Silas R. Coburn, 1913
4 Death record of John Colburn, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
5 Marriage record of John Colburn and Susannah Read, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
6 Find-a-Grave listing of Robert Colburn
7 Death record of Thomas Colburn, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
8 Marriage record of Thomas Colburn and Hannah Rolfe, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
9 Marriage record of Thomas Colburn and Mary Richardson, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Daniel Colburn
11 Marriage record of Daniel Colburn and Sarah Blood, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
12 Marriage record of Thomas Richardson and Hannah Colburn, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
13 Find-a-Grave listing of Ezra Colburn
14 Marriage record of Ezra Colburn and Hannah Varnum, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Birth record of Joseph Colburn, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
16 Find-a-Grave listing of Joseph Colburn
17 Birth record of Lydia Colburn, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
