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John AYER

HUSBAND:
[F15036]. John AYER.
Born about (1592)(1596) in England; son of Thomas AYER [F30072] and Elizabeth ROGERS [F30073].

He was christened 2 September 1582 at St. Thomas in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. (S3).
He was the John Eire christend on 28 March 1596 at Bromham, Wiltshire, England. (S3).

"The term 'alias' at that time was the joining symbol between two family names, similar to the hyphen today. John Evered alias Webb registered as from Marlborough, Wiltshire, on the passenger list of the James of London when he and Stephen Evered alias Webb embarked at Southampton about April 5, 1635 . . . In this will [dated 1665] he named as cousins the elder children of our John Ayer. Wiltshire origin is thus indicated for the Ayer family of Haverhill. Previous genealogists may well have gone astray in assuming that this interfamily relationship was through John Ayer's wife Hannah and that her maiden name was Evered alias Webb. Research has disclosed no Hannah in that family at so early a date. Our theory, a new one, is that the relationship was through John Ayer's sister Rebecca and that she is to be identified with John Evered Sr.'s wife Rebecca, whose maiden name is not yet known. This theory is summarized on the accompanying chart. [delineates theory that John Ayer is son of Robert Eyre, clothier of Bromham, c1564-1619 and Cicely Crosse (bur. 1619), who was baptized 1596 at Bromham - details to be entered.] . . . Robert Eyre of Bronham was a woolen manufacturer (clothier). . . . By way of summary, let's look again at the chart. Of the two Massachusetts settlers, John Evered alias Webb's origin and his father's family are fully proved and we have built up a good case both for his mother's identity as Rebecca Eyre and - through her - for the origin of John Ayer of Haverhill. To confirm this circumstantial evidence, it is hoped that baptisms of John Ayer's children will be found and that John Evered, Sr.'s wife Rebecca will be located in Draycot or her maiden name determined by some record. Meanwhile, the existance of so many contemporary John Eyres prompts the query again: Did the Haverhill settler come from Bromham in Wiltshire?" (S3-Rosalie Fellows Bailey, New England Heritage of Rousmaniere, Ayer, Farwell and Bourne Families, New York: self-published, 1960. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~barbpretz/WC_SRC.HTM#C1576).

He married Hannah EVERED/WEBB [15037] about 1620 in England.(S2d). Their son Robert deposed in 1711 that he was aged about 86 years (so born about 1625). Hence John and Hannah were married about 1620-23, prior to arriving in New England. (S3).

He moved to New England in (about 1635 to 1637)(about 1638-1639-S3).

"A small parchment volume (also int he Rolls Office) labelled on the cover 'T G 27.979 A D 1637 - 13 Car. I' is occupied with a record of persons 'desirous to pass beyond seas.' .. . . John Eyre of Norwich, grocar aged 40 wanted only to go and see the country and if he like, to stay; otherwise he would come back in 3 months. .. These people went to New England with William Goose, Mr of the Marey Anne of Yarmouth. . . " (S3-(New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol 14, No. 4, October, 1860).). However, there is no John Eyre listed on the Mary Ann passenger list.

As 'John Eyres,' he is on the undated list of those granted land in the first division of Colchester, Massachusetts between september 4, 1639 and October 7, 1640, when the town was renamed Salisbury. (S3). According to the first division of ye towne of Salisburie, there was graanted unto John Ayers, two acres for a home lott, and also six acres for planting, and fower (four) acres of meddow lying on the north side of the river Merrimack. (S3).

He was in Salisbury, Massachusetts as early as 1640. His name appread in the records 'of Salisburie' along with those of the first division of Colchester (new Salisbury), in 1640. According to the first division of ye towne of Salisburie, there was granted unto John Ayers, two acres for a home lott, lying between the homes of David Ladd and John Stevens, also there was granted John six acres for planting, also granted to him fower (four) acres of meddow lying on the north side of the river Merrimack. (S3).

He sold his lands in Salisbury and moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts about (1644)(1647).

John Ayer was at Salisbury as late as December 21, 1644, when his daughter Hannah was born, but he removed to Haverhill, Massachusetts soon afterward, as both he and his son John appear as landholders at Haverhill in 1645. (S3).
,br> John Ayer built a house in Haverhill, which, together with its land, was valued in 1646 at 160 pounds, being the largest amount but one on the list of freemen in Haverhill in 1646. (S3).

On February 13, 1646/7, John Ayer, Sr., was fined by the town of Haverhill 'for not attending the town meeting in season. (S3).

He served several times on the Grand Jury of Norfolk County Quarterly Court. He must have served his eight days of annual military training decreed by law since he was not fined for absence and was permanently exempted by the County Court in October 1654 - when near the military age limit of sixty. That he had some feeling of independence as well as education is implied by his signature 'John Ayre, Sr.' in 1654 on a paper objecting to a witness as unfit to testify in a court case. He was a Puritan church member and among the elect because he was a freeman: at the Essex County Court held at Ipswich 4th day 9th month 1645, 'John Ayres Sr.' and John Ayres Jr. of Salisbury were 'made free. (S3).

He served on the Grand Jury in Haverhill in April 1649. (S3).

In 1652 he receivved a share in the second division of plough land. (S3).

. In a court case of 1654, "The following names were subscribed to a paper objecting to the testimony given by Robert Swan's witnesses, complaining that 'the boy robert ames home robert Swan cald Servant to a man in James Davis, sr., John Ayre, sr., Theo. Shatswell, Richard Littlehale, Roberd Clements, Joseph (his mark) Daves, stephen Kent, George Browne. (S3).

The last will and Testament of John Eyers ye Elder of Haverhill made ye twelfe of March one thousand six hundred fifty six: fifty seaven: ist ffirst I giue vnto my Sonne John Eyers my dwelling house and house Lott, butt my wyfe to haue the [my] house and Archyard & the psture of English grass by the barne, and the leantoo att the South end of ye barne and to haue livertie in ye Same Nue barne to lay in such hay or corne as shee shall haue occasion to make vse of duering the tyme of hir Naturall life and att hir death to returne to my Sonne Jno Eyers, and duering the tyme of my wiues life my Sonne is to haue the vse of my house Lott and barne, and to pay vnto my wife tenn shillings an acre for every acre of broken vpp land in this my house Lott, and after the end of my wyues life when this falls into my Sonne John Eyers hand then hee shal pay as followes, fiue pound the first yeare after my wyfes death to my Sonne Nathaniell . . .and that young Sowe, whose eare hangs downe and all my flaggy meadow I giue to my Sonne Peter the other halfe of my decond division of meadow & vpland, & two Oxe comons with all privilidges belonging to two Oxe commons and three acres of land in ye upper playne which hee hath allreadie in his possession: I giue my third division of land which is agreed on by the town to bee lay'd out, I giue vnto my Sonne John Eyers & Peter Eyers to bee equally divided beweene them. . . I giue to my wife my best Cowe, and to my daughter Hannah my second best cowe, & my other Cowe and three yeare old heifer to my daughters rebecka & Mary: And all my other goods and Cattell and Swine and house hold stuff vndisposed of I giue vnto my wyfe Hanah Eyers whom I make my Sold Executrix and whom I appoint to discharge all my debts & to take care for my buriall: [No signature.] Proved in Hampton Court 6:8:1657 by Henry Palmer. Copy of will. Norfolk Deeds, vol. 1, leaf 58.) (S3).

He died on 31 March 1657 at Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts.

His will was proved 6 October 1657.

WIFE:
[F15037]. Hannah EVERED or WEBB.
Born about 1598 at Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.(S2-1).

Hannah is said to be a sister of John Evered alias Webb of Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, and later of Boston, Chelmsford, and Darcut, Massachusetts. In his will of February 10, 1666 he named his wife Mary and six of the children of John Ayer, calling them his niece Rebecca, wife of John Arsleby of Andover, and her brothers, John, Robert, Thomas, Peter and Nathaniel Ayres of Haverhill. (S3). Doubt has been cast on this relationship by the fact that John Evered alias Webb did not name a sister Hannah in his will.

To the best of our knowledge, our John was married once, to Hannah, whose maiden name is lost to history. She survived her husband, and was the mother of all of his children, easily proven by the land deeds of MA. Below is a quote from Willis Brown in regards to Hannah and her maiden name: "First and possibly foremost, John Ayer was not married to Hannah Evered. He was married to Hannah, who was not an Evered. A very early researcher, perhaps as early as 1860, identified her as Hannah Green(?) with the question mark next to it. He left us no notes, or lists of reference. I have found nothing that would indicate where he developed that theory. The earliest identification that I have found of the wife of John Ayer as Hannah Evered was a newspaper genealogy column known as "The Boston Transcript." According to that source Hannah was listed in the will of John Evered alias Webb, therefore she must be his sister. She was not listed in that will. In fact, Hannah was still alive when the will was offered for probate, she was not mentioned and did not inherit. John Evered alias Webb did mention his cousins as the children of John Ayer: and not as the children of his sister Hannah. I think John Evered alias Webb knew what he was doing and I do not try to second guess him. In some so-called family trees, Hannah has been added as a sibling of John Evered alias Webb, but that is not supported by English records." She married John AYER [F15036] about 1620 in England. (S2-4).

Hannah Ayers of Haverhill in Norfolk, widow of John Ayers of same town acknowledges that she has received of her Obediah Ayers full satisfaction according to my husband's will for what land he held for which he was to pay an annual rent to me while he had it, and do also own that since my son Obediah left ye land and sold his right to my son Nathaniel, he also has fuly satisfied me according to sd. will as he ought to do until ye date of these presents. I also agree with my son Nathaniel to take the land which he bought of my son Obediah into my own hands and in payment for the time to come during my life, convenanting also with my son Nathaniel that he shall be freed from paying nay rent according to my husband's will during my life, allwoing the improvement of the land and its being at y disosal during my life shall be owned at all taimes for full satisfaction according to ye will as if Nathaniel or any other of my sons had kept sd. land and paid full rent according to my late husband's will. AThe sd land mentioned being ye same lott and oarchyard that, I, ye sd Hannah now live upon. Sept 9, 1672. Ack. by Hannah (her H mark) Ayers. Wit: Nath. Saltonstall, Israell Hendrick. (S3).

Hampton Quarterly Court, Oct. 13, 1674:
"Widow Hannah Eyer and Nathll. Eyer having been bound for said widow's appearance at this court, and she not appearing on account of illness and inability to come to the court, the bond was remitted, and she having acknowledged the offence charged upon her acccording to Capt. Saltonstall's return, for selling cider, was fined, which fine was also remitted.

Previous to 1675 she built a new house on the commns. (S3).

"We, Suball Walker, Peter Ayer and Hannah Babbig, admrs. to estate of John Carlton of Haverhill, deceased by virtue of an order of the General Court and in consideration of full saatisfaction made to sd estate, convey to Daniell Ela of Haverhill about 14 acres land which was John Carlton's ox comon in Haverhill bounded by a small elm tree marked by ye side of ye great pond, a black oak, and a small white oak and land of ye town, John Guil, and Littlehale, Grele, Timothie and Robert Ayer, Edward Brunnage and a heap of stones at ye land of Peter Ayer's land adjoining land of John Carltons children. To have liberty of a way through the rest of the land that belongs to a John cArleton's children as convenient as may abe to a comon highway. June ___, 1684. Wit. Hannah (her + mark) Ayer, John Johnson, senr. Signed Shuball Walker, Peter Ayer, Hannah Babbig. Daniel Ela 'resigns up two debts' relating to the land which were made by us upon mistake and misallowing of the land at first. Daniel Ela acknowledged his hand to the resignation July 1, 1684, before Robert Pike, assistant. Ack. by Capt. Shuball Walker and Mrs Hannah Babbig June 27, 1684 before Robert Pike, and Corporall Peter Ayers ack. the same instrument on condition sd. Ela resigned up ye deeds. July 1, 1684 before Robert Pike." (S3).

I Hannah Ayer Relict of John Ayer Senr formerly of Salisbury & Lately of Haverhill on ye north of Merrimack for & in Consideration of my love to my Son Robert Ayers of said Haverhill & In Consideration of my former Imploying of him in my Service & haveing given him by letter of atturney my full power to recover my right of lands & comons belonging to me in . . . Salisbury aforesaid, by Vertue of my Said husband, who formerly had . .. privelidges there . . . Doe . .. Confirme to my Said Son Robert all that Right . . . in. . . Lands. . . which my Said Husband had . . . in . . . Salisbury,' 3 Feb. 1681. Wit: Daniel Lad, Jr. Recorded 4 June 1691 (Ipswich Deeds, 5:384.)"

I Hannah Ayer Senr, Rlict of John Ayers Senr: formerly of Haverhill . . according to causion in my Sayde Husbands last will & with ye consent & approbation of my Sones: who have refused & neglected according to ye sd will to impve & pay rent to me for land left in ye sayd will: Do in consideration of . . . twenty pounds . .. payd .. . confirme to . . . John Swadock . . . land in Haverhill,' 20 Aug. 1681. Wit: Ruth Ayer. (Old Norfolk Co., Deeds, 3:320. (S3).

She died (8 October 1688-S2b, S2c)(13 July 1686-S3) at Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts.

It is said that in 1692, widow Hannah deeds land to son Robert, and was joined by children John of Ipswich, Peter and Nathaniel of Haverhill (S3); however, she was dead by this time. It is also said that this is her deed of 3 February 1681 transferring her husband's Salisbury lands, but that it was not filed until 1691 and, together, with his 1692 sale thereof, was confirmed by quitclaim of Dec. 3 & 27, 1692 by her sons John, Peter and Nathaniel Ayer (Ipswich deeds, 5:384 & 564). (S3).

CHILDREN of John AYER [F15036] and Hannah EVERED/WEBB [F15037]:
  1. . John AYER. He was a farmer. He received his fathers estate. He was called Captain. He married (1) 5 MAY 1646 to Sarah WILLIAMS. She died 25 JUL 1662. He married (2) 26 MAR 1663 to Mary WOODDAM. He lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts until 1679, when he moved to Ipswich, Massachusetts. He died sometime between 1694 and 1711.
  2. Rebecca AYER. She married John ASLET on 8 October 1648. They lived in Andover, Massachusetts. He died 6 JUN 1671, and she survived him.
  3. Robert AYER. Born about 1625. He married Elizabeth PALMER on 27 February 1650-1651. They lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was a freeman in MAY 1666. He was a constable in 1671. He was called Sergeant. He died between 1713 and 1723.
  4. [F7518]. Thomas AYER. Born about 1630 in England. He married Elizabeth HUTCHINS [F7519] on 1 APR 1656 probably at Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts. In July, 1663, Peter Eyer witnessed a deed for a hundred and eight acres made by his brother Thomas Dyer of Haverhill. (S3). He died 9 NOV 1686 at Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts.
  5. (Cornet) Peter AYER. Born about 1632-1633 in England. He married Hannah ALLEN on 1 November 1659. He was a merchant in Boston. They lived in Haverhill. He was made a freeman in MAY 1666. He represented Haverhill in the general court in 1683, 1685, 1689 and 1690. He died in January 1698-1699 in Boston, but his death is recorded in his home town of Haverhill. The Haverhill records say 2 January, but his gravestone in Boston says 3 January.
  6. Mary AYER. Born about 1634. She was perhaps living in Ipswich in 1668.
  7. Obadiah AYER. He lived in Haverhill until 1669, when he sold his house and land and moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey. He married 19 MAR 1660-1 to Hannah PIKE. He died 14 NOV 1694.
  8. Nathaniel AYER. He was apprenticed to a Mr. French in 1656-1657. He married 10 MAY 1670 to Tamesin TURLOAR. They lived in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He died 17 NOV 1717.
  9. Hannah AYER. Born 21 DEC 1644 in Salisbury, Massachusetts. She married Stephen WEBSTER on 24 Mch 1662-1663.


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