M. (1) before 1699 in (probably) Massachusetts2
Wife: Sarah _______
M. (2) 19 Apr 1708 in (probably) Massachusetts2
Wife: Mary Abbott
D. 30 Apr 1739 in Tewksbury, Massachusetts2
James Kittredge was part of a notable New England family. He was a second generation colonist, with a father and brother who each practiced medicine. Many of his generation took part in the founding of the town of Tewksbury, Massachusetts. But James is missing from local histories, and seems to have led a life under the radar.
Born on March 21, 1668 in Billerica, Massachusetts, James was the second of five sons of John Kittredge and Mary Littlefield.1 His father served as a sort of doctor who had no formal training, and he died when James was 9-years-old.3 His mother remarried to John French and had six more children.
James got married during the 1690s, but no record exists of the event and his wife is only known as Sarah,2 although some sources give her maiden name as “Fowle.” The couple settled in Billerica and had four children born between January 1699 and February 1708. Then Sarah died,2 perhaps in childbirth, and James remarried on April 19th to a woman named Mary Abbott.2 He had no children with his second wife.
The part of Billerica where James lived was on the outskirts of the community, and as it became more populated, it made sense to form a separate town. This happened late in James’ life, and he was listed among the 47 heads of households who split off to become Tewksbury. Eleven of the families were named Kittredge, headed by James’ brother, sons and cousins.5
Some of the Kittredge signatures on the Tewksbury church covenant in 1735. "James Kittredge" was likely James' son.
James died in Tewksbury on April 30, 1739 at the age of 71.2 His wife Mary died just a week later on May 7th.2
Children (all by Sarah):
1. Elizabeth Kittredge — B. 8 Jan 1699, Billerica, Massachusetts;6 D. 29 Nov 1756, Tewksbury, Massachusetts;7 M. Amos Foster (?-1754), 8 Oct 1725, Andover, Massachusetts8
2. James Kittredge — B. 28 Jun 1700, Billerica, Massachusetts;2 D. 23 Jul 1771, Tewksbury, Massachusetts;9 M. (1) Elizabeth ________ (?-1766), before Feb 1730;10 (2) Hannah _______ (~1700-~1790), 26 Jun 1766, Tewksbury, Massachusetts11
3. Rachel Kittredge — B. 16 Oct 1702, Billerica, Massachusetts;12 D. about 179213
4. Thomas Kittredge — 13 Feb 1708, Billerica, Massachusetts;12 D. 21 Mar 1794, Tewksbury, Massachusetts;9 M. (1) Jane Kittredge (1703-1779), 25 May 1727, Billerica, Massachusetts;14 (2) Betty Peacock, 22 Dec 1779, Tewksbury, Massachusetts15
Sources:
1 Birth record of James Kittredge, Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 The Kittredge Family in America, Mabel T. Kittredge, 1936
3 Find-a-Grave listing for John Kittredge
4 Marriage record of John French and Mary (Littlefield) Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
5 History of Billerica, Massachusetts, Henry Allen Hazen, 1883
6 Birth record of Elizabeth Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
7 Death record of Elizabeth Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
8 Marriage record of Amos Foster and Elizabeth Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
9 Vital Records of Tewksbury, Massachusetts to the Year 1849, 1912
10 Marriage estimated from birth record of James Kittredge III, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
11 We Relate listing for James Kittredge
12 Vital Records of Billerica, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, 1908
13 We Relate listing for Rachel Kittredge
14 Marriage record of Thomas Kittredge and Jane Kittredge, M.T.C., V. & T.R.
15 We Relate listing for Thomas Kittredge
