|
IV. Deacon Raham Bancroft, son of Deacon Thomas (2)
and Sarah (Poole) Bancroft, was born in Reading,
February 14, 1684, and died ther September 5, 1758.
He left a will dated March 14, 1754, and proved
October 21, 1758, in which he named his wife Ruth;
his sons, Joshua, David and James; his daughter
Judith and his grandson Ephraim Parker, son of his
deceased daughter Ruth. He was a private in the
Colonial service and like many of the Bancroft men,
learned military tactics.
Deacon Raham Bancroft married (first), in Reading,
December 13, 1706, Abigail Eaton. (EatonIII) He
married (second), at Woburn, Massachusetts. January
2, 1729, Ruth Kendall, born in Woburn, April 23,
1703, died in Reading, September 18, 1758, daughter
of Samuel and Mary (Locke) Kendall.
Children of First marriage:
1. Joshua of whom further.
2. David, born August 2, 1718; removed to
Worcester.
Children of Second marriage:
3. James, born October 17, 1729, died young
4. Ruth born December 6, 1731, died in Reading,June
1, 1751; married there, December 14, 1749 Ephraim
Parker.
5. Abigail born February 12, 1733/34, died June 1,
1750
6. Judith, born November 28, 1735, died February,
1796, unmarried.
7. James (again), born May 9, 1739, died in
Reading, May 17, 1831; married (first), at Reading,
May 11, 1758, Sarah Pearson; (second), November 16,
Sarah Parker.
from Middlesex Probate Files, Docket No. 979.
"Reading Vital Records." L. Eaton: "History of
Reading" page 44
from" Reading's Colonial Roof Trees Built Before
1800" by C. NelsonBishop (1944) #21 Statesmen,
Soldiers and a Bard"
Deacon Raham was one of the pillars of the First
Parish Church. He held the position for many years
and was greatly revered in the parish and looked to
as a leader. Well they might look to him for he was
capable in business and left a large estate at his
death in 1758. He was Selectman in 1726, 1733,
1743, and 1749. further notes on JamesBancroft,
Capt.
Genealogical History of the town of Reading:
pg44-45
Rev. Mr Hobby, in recording his death, says of him,
"That good man, my friend, Dea Bancroft"
|
