M. (1) 29 Nov 1659 in Rowley, Massachusetts2
Husband: Samuel Worcester
M. (2) 29 Oct 16863
Husband: Onesiphorus Marsh
D. 9 May 1690 in Haverhill, Massachusetts4
Elizabeth Parrat had more than her share of hardship as a wife and mother in colonial New England. She was a native of Rowley, Massachusetts, born there on May 1, 1640 to Francis Parrat and Elizabeth Northend, the oldest of their 8 children.1 Elizabeth's only brother died as an infant, so she grew up in a house full of girls. Her father died when she was a teen while on a trip to England,5 and her mother remarried in 1658.6
On November 29, 1659, Elizabeth also got married.2 Her husband was Samuel Worcester, the son of a minister. For the first couple of years after their wedding they lived near Samuel’s family in the town of Salisbury, and Elizabeth gave birth to two sons there.7,8 Then Samuel’s father died,9 and they moved to Elizabeth’s home town of Rowley.10 The family made their home there for the rest of their lives; the part of town where they lived was split off to form Bradford in about 1670.11 Elizabeth had nine more children, with the youngest born in February 1681;12 the boys outnumbered the girls by 8 to 3.
Samuel had a strong sense of civic duty, and was a deeply religious man, a trait presumably shared by Elizabeth. Together, they faced difficult challenges. At some point, it was said that while they were away from home, a fire broke out that consumed their house and everything in it.13 For a time, a neighbor took in the family, but after they rebuilt their home, the same thing happened again.13
Just days after Elizabeth’s youngest child was born, Samuel was called to attend a meeting in the General Court, and in spite of freezing weather, he was bound to leave for Boston immediately.14 He said goodbye to Elizabeth, and she never saw him again — he was found frozen to death by a road in the town of Lynn.14 Elizabeth was left with several underaged children to care for, but she never remarried. Since Samuel hadn’t left a will, she dealt with his estate in probate court, and was granted the status of administrator.3 He left the family 200 acres of land with a house and barn, which was awarded to Elizabeth until the children came of age.14
Elizabeth Parrat had more than her share of hardship as a wife and mother in colonial New England. She was a native of Rowley, Massachusetts, born there on May 1, 1640 to Francis Parrat and Elizabeth Northend, the oldest of their 8 children.1 Elizabeth's only brother died as an infant, so she grew up in a house full of girls. Her father died when she was a teen while on a trip to England,5 and her mother remarried in 1658.6
On November 29, 1659, Elizabeth also got married.2 Her husband was Samuel Worcester, the son of a minister. For the first couple of years after their wedding they lived near Samuel’s family in the town of Salisbury, and Elizabeth gave birth to two sons there.7,8 Then Samuel’s father died,9 and they moved to Elizabeth’s home town of Rowley.10 The family made their home there for the rest of their lives; the part of town where they lived was split off to form Bradford in about 1670.11 Elizabeth had nine more children, with the youngest born in February 1681;12 the boys outnumbered the girls by 8 to 3.
Samuel had a strong sense of civic duty, and was a deeply religious man, a trait presumably shared by Elizabeth. Together, they faced difficult challenges. At some point, it was said that while they were away from home, a fire broke out that consumed their house and everything in it.13 For a time, a neighbor took in the family, but after they rebuilt their home, the same thing happened again.13
Just days after Elizabeth’s youngest child was born, Samuel was called to attend a meeting in the General Court, and in spite of freezing weather, he was bound to leave for Boston immediately.14 He said goodbye to Elizabeth, and she never saw him again — he was found frozen to death by a road in the town of Lynn.14 Elizabeth was left with several underaged children to care for, but she never remarried. Since Samuel hadn’t left a will, she dealt with his estate in probate court, and was granted the status of administrator.3 He left the family 200 acres of land with a house and barn, which was awarded to Elizabeth until the children came of age.14
Elizabeth eventually decided to remarry and her second husband had the unusual name of Onesiphorus Marsh. Their wedding took place on October 29, 1686 in Bradford.3 By 1690, they moved to Haverhill, a town to the north on what was at the time the frontier of New England. Elizabeth passed away on May 9, 1690.4 Her husband married again a year later, and died in 1713.15
Children:
1. William Worcester – B. 21 Jul 1661, Salisbury, Massachusetts;7 D. 23 Apr 1706, Bradford, Massachusetts;16 M. Martha Cheney (?-1729), 29 Jan 169117
2. Samuel Worcester – B. 31 Mar 1663, Salisbury, Massachusetts;8 D. 5 Jul 1686, Bradford, Massachusetts18
3. Francis Worcester – B. 1665, Rowley, Massachusetts;10 D. 17 Dec 1717, Bradford, Massachusetts;10 M. Mary Cheney (1671-~1759), 29 Jan 169119
4. Joseph Worcester – B. Rowley, Massachusetts;20 D. before 16 Jun 1746, Rowley, Massachusetts;21 M. (1) Sarah Ross (?-1728);22 (2) Martha Palmer, 29 Apr 173023
5. Timothy Worcester – B. 4 Jun 1669, Rowley, Massachusetts;24 D. 13 Aug 1706, Bradford, Massachusetts;25 M. Huldah Cheney, 29 Jan 169126
6. Moses Worcester – B. 15 Jan 1671, Bradford, Massachusetts;27 D. 18 Dec 1689, Bradford, Massachusetts28
7. Elizabeth Worcester – B. 16 Feb 1673, Bradford, Massachusetts;29 D. 14 Jun 1772, Hartland, Vermont;30 M. Josiah Wheeler (1669-1734)31
8. Dorothy Worcester – B. 21 Jan 1675, Bradford, Massachusetts;32 M. Joseph Dakin (1668-1744), 16 Jul 1696, Concord, Massachusetts33
9. John Worcester – B. 31 Aug 1677, Bradford, Massachusetts;34 D. about 170135
10. Ebenezer Worcester – B. 29 Apr 1679, Bradford, Massachusetts;36 D. 5 Feb 1764, Massachusetts;37 M. (1) Hannah Ross (?-1705), 10 Sep 1704, Sudbury, Massachusetts;38 (2) Deliverance Looke (~1679-1768), 19 Nov 170639
11. Susannah Worcester – B. 11 Feb 1681, Bradford, Massachusetts;12 D. 11 Mar 1746, Framingham, Massachusetts;40 M. Jeremiah Pike (1674-1746), 6 May 1701, Framingham, Massachusetts41
Sources:
1 Birth record of Elizabeth Parrat, Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Samuel Worcester and Elizabeth Parrat, M.C.V. & T.R.
3 The old families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts, p. 369, David Webster Hoyt, 1897
4 Find-a-Grave listing for Elizabeth (Parrott) Worcester
5 Francis Parrot probate records, AmericanAncestors.org
6 Marriage record of Thomas Teney and Elizabeth (Northend) Parrat, M.C.V. & T.R.
7 Birth record of William Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
8 Birth record of Samuel Worcester (younger), M.C.V. & T.R.
9 Death record of William Worcester (Samuel’s father), M.C.V. & T.R.
10 Find-a-Grave listing for Francis Worcester
11 Bradford, Massachusetts (Wikipedia article)
12 Birth record of Susannah Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
13 The Life and Labors of Rev. Samuel Worcester, D.D., p. 32, Samuel Melancthon Worcester, 1852
14 The Worcester family; or the descendants of Rev. William Worcester, W.W. Kellogg, 1856
15 Find-a-Grave listing for Onesiphorus Marsh
16 WikiTree listing of William Worcester
17 Marriage record of William Worcester and Martha Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
18 Death record of Samuel Worcester (younger), Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, FamilySearch.org
19 Marriage record of Francis Worcester and Mary Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
20 Birth record of Joseph Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
21 Probate record of Joseph Worcester, Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1638-1840
22 Marriage record of Joseph Worcester and Sarah Ross, Massachusetts State Vital Records, FamilySearch.org
23 Marriage record of Joseph Worcester and Martha Palmer, Massachusetts State Vital Records, FamilySearch.org
24 Birth record of Timothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
25 WikiTree listing of Timothy Worcester
26 Marriage record of Timothy Worcester and Huldah Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
27 Birth record of Moses Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
28 Death Record of Moses Worcester, M.D. & B.
29 Birth record of Elizabeth Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
30 Find-a-Grave listing for Elizabeth (Worcester) Wheeler
31 Birth record of Henry Wheeler (Elizabeth Wooster’s son), M.C.V. & T.R.
32 Birth record of Dorothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
33 Marriage record of Joseph Dakin and Dorothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
34 Birth record of John Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
35 WikiTree listing of John Worcester
36 Birth record of Ebenezer Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
37 WikiTree listing of Ebenezer Worcester
38 Marriage record of Ebenezer Worcester and Hannah Ross, M.S.V.R.
39 Marriage record of Ebenezer Worcester and Deliverance Looke, M.C.V. & T.R.
40 WikiTree listing of Susannah (Worcester) Pike
41 Marriage record of Jeremiah Pike and Susannah Worcester, Rowley Vital Records to 1848, p. 432
Elizabeth's signature.
1. William Worcester – B. 21 Jul 1661, Salisbury, Massachusetts;7 D. 23 Apr 1706, Bradford, Massachusetts;16 M. Martha Cheney (?-1729), 29 Jan 169117
2. Samuel Worcester – B. 31 Mar 1663, Salisbury, Massachusetts;8 D. 5 Jul 1686, Bradford, Massachusetts18
3. Francis Worcester – B. 1665, Rowley, Massachusetts;10 D. 17 Dec 1717, Bradford, Massachusetts;10 M. Mary Cheney (1671-~1759), 29 Jan 169119
4. Joseph Worcester – B. Rowley, Massachusetts;20 D. before 16 Jun 1746, Rowley, Massachusetts;21 M. (1) Sarah Ross (?-1728);22 (2) Martha Palmer, 29 Apr 173023
5. Timothy Worcester – B. 4 Jun 1669, Rowley, Massachusetts;24 D. 13 Aug 1706, Bradford, Massachusetts;25 M. Huldah Cheney, 29 Jan 169126
6. Moses Worcester – B. 15 Jan 1671, Bradford, Massachusetts;27 D. 18 Dec 1689, Bradford, Massachusetts28
7. Elizabeth Worcester – B. 16 Feb 1673, Bradford, Massachusetts;29 D. 14 Jun 1772, Hartland, Vermont;30 M. Josiah Wheeler (1669-1734)31
8. Dorothy Worcester – B. 21 Jan 1675, Bradford, Massachusetts;32 M. Joseph Dakin (1668-1744), 16 Jul 1696, Concord, Massachusetts33
9. John Worcester – B. 31 Aug 1677, Bradford, Massachusetts;34 D. about 170135
10. Ebenezer Worcester – B. 29 Apr 1679, Bradford, Massachusetts;36 D. 5 Feb 1764, Massachusetts;37 M. (1) Hannah Ross (?-1705), 10 Sep 1704, Sudbury, Massachusetts;38 (2) Deliverance Looke (~1679-1768), 19 Nov 170639
11. Susannah Worcester – B. 11 Feb 1681, Bradford, Massachusetts;12 D. 11 Mar 1746, Framingham, Massachusetts;40 M. Jeremiah Pike (1674-1746), 6 May 1701, Framingham, Massachusetts41
Sources:
1 Birth record of Elizabeth Parrat, Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Samuel Worcester and Elizabeth Parrat, M.C.V. & T.R.
3 The old families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts, p. 369, David Webster Hoyt, 1897
4 Find-a-Grave listing for Elizabeth (Parrott) Worcester
5 Francis Parrot probate records, AmericanAncestors.org
6 Marriage record of Thomas Teney and Elizabeth (Northend) Parrat, M.C.V. & T.R.
7 Birth record of William Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
8 Birth record of Samuel Worcester (younger), M.C.V. & T.R.
9 Death record of William Worcester (Samuel’s father), M.C.V. & T.R.
10 Find-a-Grave listing for Francis Worcester
11 Bradford, Massachusetts (Wikipedia article)
12 Birth record of Susannah Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
13 The Life and Labors of Rev. Samuel Worcester, D.D., p. 32, Samuel Melancthon Worcester, 1852
14 The Worcester family; or the descendants of Rev. William Worcester, W.W. Kellogg, 1856
15 Find-a-Grave listing for Onesiphorus Marsh
16 WikiTree listing of William Worcester
17 Marriage record of William Worcester and Martha Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
18 Death record of Samuel Worcester (younger), Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, FamilySearch.org
19 Marriage record of Francis Worcester and Mary Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
20 Birth record of Joseph Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
21 Probate record of Joseph Worcester, Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1638-1840
22 Marriage record of Joseph Worcester and Sarah Ross, Massachusetts State Vital Records, FamilySearch.org
23 Marriage record of Joseph Worcester and Martha Palmer, Massachusetts State Vital Records, FamilySearch.org
24 Birth record of Timothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
25 WikiTree listing of Timothy Worcester
26 Marriage record of Timothy Worcester and Huldah Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
27 Birth record of Moses Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
28 Death Record of Moses Worcester, M.D. & B.
29 Birth record of Elizabeth Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
30 Find-a-Grave listing for Elizabeth (Worcester) Wheeler
31 Birth record of Henry Wheeler (Elizabeth Wooster’s son), M.C.V. & T.R.
32 Birth record of Dorothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
33 Marriage record of Joseph Dakin and Dorothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
34 Birth record of John Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
35 WikiTree listing of John Worcester
36 Birth record of Ebenezer Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
37 WikiTree listing of Ebenezer Worcester
38 Marriage record of Ebenezer Worcester and Hannah Ross, M.S.V.R.
39 Marriage record of Ebenezer Worcester and Deliverance Looke, M.C.V. & T.R.
40 WikiTree listing of Susannah (Worcester) Pike
41 Marriage record of Jeremiah Pike and Susannah Worcester, Rowley Vital Records to 1848, p. 432
