CHATER, Lydia

Notes:

Except for two or three minor court actions, little is known about Chater's life at Newbury except an unhappy phase of his matrimonial experience. Sometime in 1652 he was lying seriously ill as was also one of his servants, Daniel Gunn, a Scotchman who had been deported and sold into servitude after the battle of Worcester. Alice Chater, carrying food to Gunn, told him that, if her husband should die, he should be her husband, of which prospect the young man took immediate advantage. Eighteen months later she confessed to her invalid husband in the hearing of William and Isabel Houldred, who were visiting them. Adultery was a capital offense and Gunn and Alice Chater were soon before the magistrates and in peril of their lives. The verdict of the jury before whom they were tried in the county court-whether it was "guilty" or "not guilty" does not appear-was not satisfactory to the judges, and the case was sent to the higher court in Boston as were the prisoners. On May 14, 1654, perhaps hesitating to inflict the death penalty, the governor and council stated that they were not guilty according to law but that, because of her shameful and unchaste behavior, Alice Chater should be severely admonished and stand tied to the whipping post for one hour and then be discharged that she might return to her husband, while Gunn, after Mr. Lunerius, the physician, had restored him to health, was to be whipped.5 The unhappy young Scot did not long survive his ordeal.

In the meantime Newbury gossip was busy with the name of Isabel Houldred who was nursing Chater during his wife's absence, but the magistrates decided that it was unfounded when the usual presentment was made.

Lt. married EMERY, Alice on 5 Oct 1644 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. Alice (daughter of EMERY, John Sr and GRANTHAM, Alice) was born on 30 Nov 1622 in Romsey, Hampshire, England; died in 1680 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Except for two or three minor court actions, little is known about Chater's life at Newbury except an unhappy phase of his matrimonial experience. Sometime in 1652 he was lying seriously ill as was also one of his servants, Daniel Gunn, a Scotchman who had been deported and sold into servitude after the battle of Worcester. Alice Chater, carrying food to Gunn, told him that, if her husband should die, he should be her husband, of which prospect the young man took immediate advantage. Eighteen months later she confessed to her invalid husband in the hearing of William and Isabel Houldred, who were visiting them. Adultery was a capital offense and Gunn and Alice Chater were soon before the magistrates and in peril of their lives. The verdict of the jury before whom they were tried in the county court-whether it was "guilty" or "not guilty" does not appear-was not satisfactory to the judges, and the case was sent to the higher court in Boston as were the prisoners. On May 14, 1654, perhaps hesitating to inflict the death penalty, the governor and council stated that they were not guilty according to law but that, because of her shameful and unchaste behavior, Alice Chater should be severely admonished and stand tied to the whipping post for one hour and then be discharged that she might return to her husband, while Gunn, after Mr. Lunerius, the physician, had restored him to health, was to be whipped.5 The unhappy young Scot did not long survive his ordeal.

In the meantime Newbury gossip was busy with the name of Isabel Houldred who was nursing Chater during his wife's absence, but the magistrates decided that it was unfounded when the usual presentment was made.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Immigrant; Great Migration
• Great Migration: https://www.americanancestors.org/DB115/rd/7373/446/235162373
• Occupation: Carpenter and Innkeeper
• Immigration: 1635, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; On the James of London with his brother Anthony
• Residence: Between 1635 and 1664, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
• Freeman: 2 Jun 1642, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
• Court Case: 29 Sep 1646, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; Miscarriage with the wife of Henry Travers; fined 3 pounds or to be whipped. Bound to good behavior and not to frequent the company of Henry Travers wife
• Misc: 14 May 1653, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; One of 17 men who dissented in a town vote to levy taxes to fund a free school
• Court Case: 5 May 1663, Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; Accused of entertaining Quakers
• Will: 1 May 1680; proved 27 Nov 1683

Notes:

Interesting note:John Emerty, my 12th GGF on my paternal side was fined for "miscarriage" with the wife of Henry Travers, and it just so happens that Henry Travers and his wife Bridget were my GGP's on my maternal side.

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John Emery, born on September 29, 1598, in Romsey, Hampshire, England, embarked on a significant journey to the New World with his family. He, along with his wife Alice Grantham and their children, accompanied by his brother Anthony Emery, set sail from Southampton on April 3, 1635, aboard the ship "James." They arrived in Boston on June 3, 1635, and soon after, John settled in Newbury, Massachusetts.

In Newbury, John was granted a half-acre of land at the Lower Green for his house. He quickly became an integral part of the community, becoming a freeman in 1641. He was recognized as one of the ninety-one proprietors with rights in Newbury's common lands. His involvement in the community extended to participating in a committee in 1645, tasked with constructing a grist-mill in Newbury. Despite the town's offer of £20, ten acres of upland, six acres of meadow, and tax exemption, the mill's construction was delayed.

John Emery faced legal issues in 1663 for entertaining Quakers, a controversial act at the time. He was fined £4 and court costs for his hospitality towards them. He passed away on November 3, 1683, in Newbury.

John Emery Jr., born around 1628 in Romsey, Hampshire, England, accompanied his father to Newbury in 1635. In 1644, he was granted eighty acres of upland near Merrimack River. Part of this land was a gift from his father, and the rest was purchased from Archelaus Woodman. This property has remained with the Emery descendants to this day.

Court Case:
When John was accused of entertaining Quakers his answer was "if they come to his house he should welcome them and he would not forbid them." Henry Jacques the constable said that he had brought sandal to the town, dishonored God, and hurt the neighbors.

John married GRANTHAM, Alice on 26 Jun 1620 in Whiteparish, Wiltshire, England. Alice (daughter of GRANTHAM, Walter Andrew and REEDE, Eleanor) was born on 29 Sep 1598 in West Dean, Wiltshire, England; died on 26 Apr 1646 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married NORTHEND, Agnes on 27 Oct 1597 in Romsey, Hampshire, England. Agnes was born in 1576 in Romsey, Hampshire, England; died in 1604 in Romsey, Hampshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Walter married REEDE, Eleanor in 1595 in West Dean, Wiltshire, England. Eleanor was born about 1574 in West Dean, Wiltshire, England; died on 7 Mar 1630 in West Dean, Wiltshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]