Sometime before 1635, I traveled from Old England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony and took up residence in the Plantation of Wessaguscus which is now Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Bay Colony was not exactly the same area as the State of Massachusetts today. Massachusetts Bay Colony included what is now Massachusetts and what is now the State of Maine. New York was a little different than it is today also.

Here's a summary of the history of Weymouth.

WEYMOUTH

1620 - 1635: Plantation of Wessaguscus, Massachusetts Bay Colony

1635 - 1643: Weymouth Village, Massachusetts Bay Colony

1643 - 1692: Weymouth Village (Norfolk) Massachusetts Bay Colony

1692 - 1788: Weymouth Village (Norfolk) Massachusetts Colony

1788 - Present: Weymouth (Norfolk) Massachusetts

I was admitted a Freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on March 3, 1635/36. At that time I was a resident of Weymouth and a member of the Weymouth Church. In order to become a Freeman, I had to appear before the leaders of the Weymouth Church and testify to them that I had a transforming spiritual experience by God's grace. That fact had to be confirmed by the leaders of the Weymouth Church in order for me to become a Freeman.

You may not know how big of a deal it was www.winthropsociety.com/liberties.php to be admitted as a Freeman. Only Freemen were allowed to vote.

If you provide proof that you are my descendant, you will qualify to www.winthropsociety.com/ become a member of the prestigious Winthrop Society. John Winthrop was the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

It is difficult to become a member in the Winthrop Society as it is to become a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, the Order of Founders & Patriots, the Mayflower Society, and Maryland's Ark and Dove Society. They all demand a proven lineage back nearly four centuries to at least one of only about a thousand settlers. The Winthrop Society currently consists of over 400 descendants of these first settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

I want to make some comments about being a Freeman. You should realize that, in fact, we were not free and independent at that time. We were subjects of the British Empire. The American Revolution did not occur until more than 100 years after my death. However, we, as Freemen, had the "vision" of freedom and independence and that was important because usually the vision precedes the reality.

My name appears in the earliest records of Weymouth, and I was one of the first settlers there. I lived in East Weymouth in an area knowns as "Old Spain".

You might find it interesting that there is a town in Old England called "Weymouth". It is the town on the mouth of the River Wey.

For many years I was one of the Selectmen of Weymouth and was often chosen on important committees.

I commanded a military company which was a post of distingushed honor and responsibility.

I was a Representative in the General Court in 1637, 1640, 1657 and 1671.

I married Hannah (Ann) Workman in 1636 when I was 37 years old. Ann was born between 1601 and 1603 in Weymouth [n.b. It is unclear whether Weymouth MA or Weymouth England is meant] and was around 34 years old when we were married.

Ann and I had 5 children as shown below.

1. Joseph White

2. Hannah White

3. Samuel White

4. Thomas White II

5. Ebenezer White I

I have many descendants, many of whom have been persons of education, distinction and worth.

Ann died on February 14, 1669 in Weymouth at the age of around 67, and I died on August 28, 1679 in Weymouth which is now in Norfolk County at the age of 80.

Yours Sincerely,

Thomas White

My Will

My will is dated July 5, 1679, was proved on August 28, 1679, and here is a copy for you to read...

Capt. Thomas White

Will written 5 Jul and proved 28 Aug 1679

Last will and testament of Thomas White Senr who being weak of body but of sound and perfect memory, and considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do commit this soul to Almighty God, and his body to decent burial as his executor hereinafter named shall order and appoint. And for the estate now left at his disposal he doth hereby will and bequeath as followeth hereby revoking any will either by word or writing heretofore by him made, and this only to be taken as his last will and testament.

Imprimus: I do first order and appoint that my funeral expenses be paid and allowed out of my estate.

First: I give unto my son Joseph White all my wearing apparel;

Second: I give to my son Sarmuel’s wife my great Bible;

Third: I give to my granddaughter Lydia White my brass kettle to be delivered to her by my executor at my decease;

Fourth: I give to my granddaughter Hannah Baxter my brass pot;

Fifth: I give to my grand child, Mary White my pewter platter.

I give to all my grand children five shillings in money each of them and all of them as they shall come of age, to be paid by my executor.

Also I give and bequeath to my son Ebenezer White five pounds in money towards the education of my grandchild, provided my son Ebenezer brings him up to learning fit for the ministry, to be truly paid by my executor. (Go to 1. Ebenezer White II to see if this was a good investment.)

I give to our reverend pastor Mr. Samuel Torrey twenty shillings in money to be paid by my executor.

I give and bequeath that twenty acres remaining of the apple division of Weymouth town commons to be equally divided betwixt my Sons Samuel and Ebenezer to he apprised as money.

And my will is all my money and moveables of what quantity and quality soever, shall be apprised as money and my five children, Joseph, Samuel, Thomas, Ebenezer and my daughter, Hannah shall have equal alike portions; and in case Elder Edward Bates shall be living when I decease, I give him ten shillings in money.

And I also appoint my son Samuel White to be sole executor of this my last will and testament and to see that this my last will and testament is truly performed; and do request my friend Thomas Dane to be overseer that this my will be in all respects performed.

In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of this month July 1679

(signed) Thomas White, and seal.

In the presence of

Thomas Dun and William Chard.

Supporting Evidence

The Vinton Memorial