The COLBY Family of Semplingham, Lincolnshire, England, Aslackby, Lincolnshire, England, Horbling, Lincolnshire, England, Boston, Suffolk, MA, Amesbury, Essex, MA, Ipswich, Essex, MA, Salisbury, Essex, MA, Candia, Rockingham, NH, Hampton Falls, Rockingham, NH, Chester, Rockingham, NH, Thornton, Grafton, NH, Derby, Orleans, VT and Montpelier, Washington, VT

 

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MATTHEW COLBY (d. 1591) of Pointon, Sempringham m. Mary Unknown (d. 1591)
Richard Jackson of Horbling m. Elizabeth Unknown
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THOMAS COLBY (bp. 1567 - 1625) of Sempringham, Aslackby and Horbling
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ANNE JACKSON (prob. c. 1571 - aft. 1625)
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ANTHONY COLBY (bp. 1605 - 1660) of Horbling, Boston, Ipswich, Salisbury and Amesbury m. Susanna Unknown (d. 1689)
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SAMUEL COLBY (abt 1638 - 1715/6) of Amesbury m. Elizabeth Sargeant
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SAMUEL COLBY (b. 1671 - bef. 1746) of Amesbury m. Dorothy Ambrose
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ENS. ENOCH COLBY (1702 - 1780) of Hampton Falls and Chester m. Abigail Sanborn
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ENOCH COLBY (bp. 1728 - 1778) of Candia m. Abigail Blaisdell
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SAMUEL COLBY (1766 - 1834) of Thornton and Derby m. Ruth French
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CAPT. NEHEMIAH COLBY (1785 - 1862) of Derby m. Melinda Larrabee (1790 - 1842)
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HON. STODDARD BENHAM COLBY (1816 - 1867) of Derby and Montpelier m. Harriet Elizabeth Proctor
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LAURA MELINDA COLBY (1844 - 1921) m. Brig. Gen. Asa Bacon Carey

INDEX TO COLBY FILES

Generation 1

MATTHEW COLBY of Pointon, Sempringham (d. 1591)

Parents: Unknown

Matthew Colby of Pointon was buried on 10 Oct 1591. [Ref, p. 131] He married Mary Unknown. [Ref, p. 131] She died on 18 Dec 1591. [Ref, p. 131]

In his will, dated 8 Oct 1591, Matthew asked to be buried in the churchyard at Sempringham. [Ref, p. 131] He mentioned his sons John, Edward, William, Thomas "the elder" and Thomas "the younger one" Colby; his brother Robert Colby; his wife Mary; Agnes Colby the daughter of Thomas Colby of Horbling. [Ref, p. 131]

In her will, dated 1 Dec 1591, Mary Colby of Pointon mentions Thomas Colby the elder; "Edward my son"; Thomas Colby the younger, "William my son", "Agnes my daughter", "Elizabeth my daughter", Robert Colby, "John my son". [Ref, p. 131]

Children of Matthew and Mary Colby:

  1. William Colby was born about 1556. [Ref, p. 132]
  2. Agnes Colby was born about 1558/9. [Ref, p. 132]
  3. Thomas Colby senior was probably born in 1561. [Ref, p. 132] He married Joan Booth on 18 May 1590 in Sempringham. [Ref, p. 132] Isabel, the daughter of Thomas and Isabel Booth, was baptised on 31 May 1567 in Sempringham. [Ref, p. 132] She was buried in Jan 1615/6 in Horbling. [Ref, p. 132]
  4. Elizabeth Colby was baptised on 30 May 1563. [Ref, p. 132] She apparently died young. [Ref, p. 132]
  5. John Colby was baptised on 26 Jul 1565. [Ref, p. 132] He died before 1612/3. [Ref, p. 132] He married Elizabeth Davye on 23 Oct 1593 in Sempringham. [Ref, p. 132] Elizabeth was buried on 31 Mar 1615 in Sempringham. [Ref, p. 132]
  6. Thomas Colby was baptised on 11 Dec 1625 in Sempringham. He was buried on 11 Dec 1625. He married Anne Jackson.
  7. Edward Colby was baptised on 5 Oct 1570. [Ref, p. 132] He was buried on 31 Dec 1591 in Sempringham. [Ref, p. 132]
  8. Elizabeth Colby was baptised on 14 Mar 1572/3. [Ref, p. 132] He was buried on 10 Jan 1591/2. [Ref, p. 132]

Generation 2

THOMAS COLBY (bp. 1567 - 1625) of Sempringham, Aslackby, and Horbling

Parents: Matthew Colby and Mary Unknown

Thomas Colby was baptised on 11 Dec 1625 in Sempringham. [Ref, p. 129] He was buried on 11 Dec 1625. [Ref, p. 129] He married Anne Jackson on 4 May 1596. [Ref, p. 129]

In his will of 10 Dec 1625, Thomas calls himself a tailor of Horbling. He names his sons William, Richard, Anthony, Matthew and Robert Colby and his wife Agnes (Anne). [Ref, p. 129]

Children of Thomas Colby and Anne Jackson:

  1. Margaret Colby was born by 25 Sep 1597 in Aslackby. [Ref, p. 130] She probably died young. [Ref, p. 130]
  2. William Colby was probably born in 1598. [Ref, p. 130] He married Anna Sewell, the "widow of Anwick" on 12 Oct 1626 in Horbling. [Ref, p. 130]
  3. Abraham Colby was baptised on 13 Sep 1600 in Aslackby. [Ref, p. 130] He was buried on 2 Sep 1625 in Horbling. [Ref, p. 130]
  4. Richard Colby was baptised on 30 Jan 1602/3 in Horbling. [Ref, p. 130] He was living in 1655. [Ref, p. 130] He married Ann Unknown. [Ref, p. 130]
  5. Anthony Colby was baptised on 8 Sep 1605 in Horbling. He died on 11 (12) 1660 in Salisbury. He married Susanna Unknown.
  6. Matthew Colby was baptised on 12 Dec 1607 in Horbling. [Ref, p. 130]
  7. Robert Colby was probably born in 1609, although he might have been an adopted son, the son of Thomas's elder brother, Thomas Senior. [Ref, p. 130]

ANNE JACKSON (b. prob. c. 1571 - aft. 1625)

Parents: Richard and Elizabeth Jackson of Horbling. [Ref, p. 129]

Anne Jackson was probably born about 1571. [Ref, p. 129] She survived her husband. She married Thomas Colby on 4 May 1596. [Ref, p. 129]

Generation 3

ANTHONY COLBY (bp. 1605 - 1660) of Horbling, Boston, Ipswich, Salisbury and Amesbury

Parents: Thomas Colby and Anne Jackson [Ref, p. 130]

Anthony Colby was baptised on 8 Sep 1605 in Horbling, Lincolnshire. [Ref] He died on 11 (12) 1660 in Salisbury. [Ref] He married Susanna Unknown. [Ref][Ref, p. 3, says "perhaps Haddon", but there is no evidence of this.] The Great Migration Begins Project says that he married by 1633 the widow Susanna Waterman. [Ref] Unknown Waterman was granted land at Boston and this land was later sold by Anthony and Susanna to James Pennyman. [Ref] Susanna died on 8 Jul 1689 in Salisbury. [Ref, p. 3] She married third William Whitridge between 24 Dec 1662 and 12 (2) 1664. [Ref; 5;135] He died on 5 Dec 1668. [Ref, p. 3]

In the entry for John Bosworth in the Great Migration Begins project, it is noted that the names in the Boston church records appear in the following sequence: Anthony Chaulby, John Boswell, Joseph Reading, Garrett Hadden. In the Massachusetts Bay lists of freemen we have the sequence: Jerad Hadden, Joseph Redding, Anthony Colby, John Bosworth. In addition, Colby, Haddon and Redding all moved from Boston to Cambridge by 1633; Colby moved next to Ipswich (1637) and then Salisbury (1640); Haddon moved next to Salisbury; Redding moved next to Ipswich (1639); all three men were single in 1630. This suggests that the four men were associated in some way; that they might not have been 21 in 1630. The latter assertion is also consistent with their marriage dates. This suggests that they may have come to New England together as servants. In the Winthrop fleet, one man, Simon Bradstreet, settled first in Boston, moved to Cambridge and then to Ipswich and was wealthy enough to have servants. Thus, it is is argued that these four young men were from near Simon Bradstreet's home in Horbling, Lincolnshire and came to New England in 1630 as his servants. [Ref] Earlier writers suggested that Anthony came from Beccles, co. Suffolk, but in 1975 Glade Ian Nelson showed that the Beccles Anthony was still in England long after Anthony the immigrant was in New England. [Ref]

"Anthony Chaulby" was admitted to the Boston church as member 93, which would be in the winter of 1630/1 [Ref]. Anthony's name is on the 14 May 1634 list of freemen. [Ref]

Anthony Colby of Ipswich sued John Hall of Saugus at the 3 (8) 1637 meeting of the court at Salem. [Ref]

By a deed dated 25 (1) 1645 Anthony Colby of Salisbury traded four acres of upland on the west side of the Pawwaus River, bounded by the highway and William Sargeant's land, to Josiah Cobham for land in Salisbury on the west side of the Pawwaus River. [Ref] On 2 August 1646 "Anthony Colby according to his desire had letters of dismission" from Boston church "unto the Church at Salsbury" [Ref]. His name is on a list of the original inhabitants of Salisbury from a town meeting on 3 (12) 1650. [Ref]

Anthony and his son John were on a 19 Mar 1654/5 list of the first settlers in Amesbury. [Ref]

Anthony appears to have held no public offices other than juryman. He was on the trial jury at the 26 (7) 1648 court at Hampton and the 12 (2) 1653 court at Salisbury. [Ref] He was on the grand jury at the 9 (2) 1650 court at Salisbury and the 1 (8) 1650 court at Hampton. [Ref] He was on the petty jury at the 3 (8) 1654 court at Hampton. [Ref]

Anthony died intestate. [Ref] Inventory was taken on his estate on 9 Mar 1660 and sworn to by the widow Colby. It amounted to a respectable £359 19s. 4d., less debts of £14 5s. 6d. Division of the estate was done on 9 Apr 1661; it was split between his widow and her two youngest children, presumably Mary and Thomas; Sarah, the wife of Orlando Bagley; John, Samuel, Isaac and Rebecca Colby. The division was confirmed on 4 (2) 1663. [Ref]

By a deed dated 24 Dec 1662, and signed with her mark, the widow Susanna Colby of Salisbury conveyed three acres of boggy meadow at Salisbury to Samuel Colby for a young mare. Susanna Whitridge acknowledged this in court on 12 (2) 1664. [Ref 5;135]

In Apr 1679 Susanna Whitridge, administratrix of Anthony Colby's estate, and others were unsuccessfully sued by William Osgood. [Ref] William Osgood later sued her successfully and the writ, dated 18 (7) 1682, was served by Susanna's son Samuel as constable for Amesbury. In Sep 1682 the Court ordered Susanna's sons Samuel, Isaac and Thomas to look after their mother as she was incapable of looking after herself. [Ref] Susanna's small estate was divided on 4 Aug 1700. Samuel, as the eldest surviving son, was given a double portion. Equal shares were given to the children of John Colby, the children of Isaac Colby, the children of Thomas Colby, the children of Sarah Colby, the children of Rebecca Colby and the children of Mary Colby. [Ref]

Anthony's offspring and grandchildren were not always models of good behaviour. The Court was informed of 'great misdemeanors' at John Colby's house and in Mar 1665 Nathaniel Bernard was fined for fighting, Mary Colby was fined for bold and uncivil carriage in pulling Walter Taylor's cap off of his head and pulling him off the seat backwards, Samuel Colby was fined for abetting Nathaniel Barnard and John Colby was fined for cursing and allowing this behaviour to occur in his house. John was warned not to entertain men's sons or servants without their parents' or masters' leave. [Ref]

On 30 (8) 1677 Mr Wells, the minister of Amesbury, claimed that while he was away from home, a group met at his house. One of the group, Samuel Week, woke the minister's wife and kissed her. John Colby and Orlando Bagley were part of the group and were fined and admonished as abettors. [Ref] The matter was revisited at the Nov 1679 Court, where it was learned that Samuel Week had kissed the minister's wife on a bet and that John Colby had held a light to ensure that the wager was carried out. [Ref] Also at that Court, Nathaniel Barnard, Mary Colby, John Colby and Walter Tayler were again complained of for 'great misdemeanors' at John's house, for fighting and excessive drinking. Nathaniel was convicted. [Ref] Presumably the John Colby in these misadventures was John's son John, who would have been 21 at the time. This son John was a soldier in King Philip's War, taking part in the Falls Fight under Capt. William Turner. [Ref 41;211] On 19 May 1676, Captain Turner led more than 150 mounted settlers on a surprise attack on a sleeping Indian camp at Peskeompskut and killed as many as two hundred people, most of them women and children. [Ref]

Photos of Anthony Colby's house

Children of Anthony Colby and Susanna Unknown:

  1. John Colby was baptised on 8 Sep 1633 in the First Church, Boston. [Ref][Ref, p. 7] He died on 6 (12) 73 in Amesbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 7, says 11 Feb 1673/4] He married Frances Hoyt on 14 Jan 1655/6 in Salisbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 7] John Colby mentions two sons and five daughters in his will of 22 Jan 1673/4. [Ref]
    John and his brother Isaac were on a Jul 1667 list of those with meeting house seats in Amesbury. [Ref] John Colby sued the town of Salisbury because he bought Mr Samuel Groom's estate in the town and claimed that he had not been accorded the town rights and privileges associated with the estate. John was on the trial jury at the Hampton Court on 8 (8) 1667. [Ref] He was one of several soldiers and inhabitants of Amesbury who signed a petition entered at the 10 Oct 1671 Court complaining that Samuel Foot had ordered them to train in Salisbury, rather than Amesbury. [Ref] In a writ dated 9 Mar 1671/2, John sued Samuel Foot for reproachful speeches against the minister. [Ref] John deposed that he was about 37 on 8 Apr 1673. [Ref] In Apr 1673 John successfully sued Henry Palmer and Andrew Grele for not satisfying him in an agreement. [Ref]
    some descendants of John Colby
  2. Sarah Colby died on 18 May 1663 in Boston. [Ref, p. 8] She married Orlando Bagley on 6 Mar 1653/4 in Salisbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 8] Sarah had five children. [Ref, p. 8] Orlando took the oath of allegiance in Amesbury on 20 Dec 1677. [Ref] Orlando is on the 23 Dec 1690 Amesbury list of freemen. [Ref]
    some descendants of Sarah Colby
  3. Unknown Colby died young. [Ref]
  4. Samuel Colby was born about 1638. He died between 6 Mar 1715/6 and 2 Jul 1716 in Amesbury. He married Elizabeth Sargeant.
  5. Isaac Colby was born on 6 Jul 1640 in Salisbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 8] He died between 29 Mar 1684, when he signed his will, and 15 Apr 1684, when it was proved, in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 8] He married Martha Parratt (Parrett), the daughter of Francis Parratt, Esq. and Elizabeth Northend of Rowley. [Ref, p. 8] Martha was born on 9 Oct 1649 in Rowley and died on 13 Jul 1730 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 8] Isaac had eight children. [Ref, p. 8]
    In Oct 1662 the Court found for Isaac in his case against Peter Nash for not delivering a horse. [Ref] In a writ dated 29 (8) 1667, Henry Fane complained of trespass by Isaac Colby. [Ref] Isaac was on the trial jury at the 12 Apr 1670 Court at Salisbury. [Ref]
    some descendants of Isaac Colby
  6. Rebecca Colby was born on 11 Mar 1643 in Salisbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 10] She died on 10 Jun 1672 in Haverhill. [Ref, p. 10] She married John Williams on 9 Sep 1661 in Haverhill. [Ref, p. 10] John, the son of John and Jane Williams of Newbury, was born about 1631 and died on 30 Apr 1698 in Haverhill. [Ref, p. 10] He married second the widow Esther (Blakely) Bond on 5 May 1675 in Haverhill. [Ref, p. 10] John and Rebecca had six children. [Ref]
    John took the oath of fidelidy on 28 Nov 1677. [Ref, p. 10]
    some descendants of Rebecca Colby
  7. Mary Colby was born on 19 Sep 1647 in Salisbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 11] She married William Sargeant, Jr. on 23 Sep 1668. [Ref][Ref, p. 11] Mary and William had six children. [Ref, p. 11]
    Mary and William were ordered to be whipped or pay a fine for fornication on 12 Apr 1670.
    As a teenager, Mary was fined misbehaviour at her brother John's house. She was complained of again for bad behaviour at her nephew's in Nov 1679. [Ref] Henry Brown's bill of charges as a constable, mentioned at the Nov 1679 court, included serving warrants on Mary Colby and William Sargeant. [Ref]
  8. Thomas Colby was born on 8 Mar 1650 in Salisbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 11] He died before 31 Mar 1691, when inventory on his estate was taken, in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 11] He married Hannah Rowell on 16 Sep 1674 in Amesbury. [Ref] [Ref, p. 11] Hannah, the daughter of Valentine and Joanna (Pinder) Rowell of Amesbury was born in Jan 1653 in Salisbury and died on 9 Aug 1707 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 11] Hannah married second Henry Blaisdell about 1691. [Ref, p. 11] Thomas and Hannah had five children. [Ref, p. 11]
    Thomas and his nephew John took the oath of allegiance in Amesbury on 20 Dec 1677. [Ref] Thomas Colby, Sr. is on the 24 Dec 1690 Amesbury list of freemen. [Ref]
    some descendants of Thomas Colby

Generation 4

SAMUEL COLBY (abt 1638 - 1715/6) of Amesbury

Parents: Anthony Colby and Susanna Unknown [Ref, p. 8]

Samuel Colby was born about 1638. [Ref, p. 8] He died between 6 Mar 1715/6, when he signed his will, and 2 Jul 1716, when it was proved, in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 9] He married Elizabeth Sargeant. [Ref][Ref, p. 8]

He was on the trial jury at the 12 Apr 1670 and 14 Nov 1676 Courts at Salisbury and on the 8 (8) 1678 Court at Hampton. [Ref] He took the oath of allegiance in Amesbury on 20 Dec 1677. [Ref][Ref] In 1682 Samuel was constable for Amesbury. [Ref]

Samuel was not a well behaved ancestor. In Mar 1665 He was fined for rowdiness at his brother John's house. [Ref] He was fined for 'abusing the watch' in Mar 1666. [Ref] In Nov 1679 Samuel and others were complained of for bad behaviour at his nephew John's house. [Ref]

On Oct 1678 Samuel was fined for selling wine retail without a license; he appealed. [Ref] In Apr 1679 his license to keep an ordinary in Amesbury was renewed. [Ref] In May of 1680 his license was again renewed for a year; it was further renewed in Mar 1682. [Ref] A 9 Apr 1686 warrent called for Samuel Colby of Amesbury to answer for sellling cider. He appeated at the Apr 1686 court and was discharged. The same warrent called for Elizabeth Colby to answer for fornication with Philip Caul of Ipswich. [Ref, 9;600] It was said that she had left the colony. This Elizabeth might be Samuel's daughter or his niece Elizabeth Colby.

Jacob Chase of Newbury certified that he was in the 1676 Falls fight with Capt. Turner and helped to bury him and that Samuel Colby, late of Amesbury, deceased was with him. Samuel's son Samuel was awarded land in recognition of this. [Ref 41;211-3]

In Sep 1682 the Court ordered Samuel and his brothers Isaac and Thomas to look after their mother as she was incapable of looking after herself. [Ref]

By a deed dated 26 (5) 1664 Samuel Colby of Salisbury, planter, conveyed the 40-acre lot that he bought from William Allen to his brother Isaac Colby. [Ref 5;181] By a deed dated 26 (5) 1664 he conveyed to his brother Isaac Colby of Salisbury, planter, three acres of fresh meadow purchased from his mother Susanna, now the wife of William Whitridge. [Ref 5;181] By a deed dated 6 May 1669 Samuel Colby of Haverhill, planter, and his wife Elizabeth conveyed to Isaac Colby of Haverhill, planter, half of the land in Haverhill that Samuel bought from Robert Clements for £25 and 24 acres of upland in Amesbury, bounded by the Merrimack River and the Haverhill highway. [Ref 10;110]

Children of Samuel Colby and Elizabeth Sargeant:

  1. Dorothy Colby was born about 1668 in Amesbury. [Ref. p. 22] She died after 5 Aug 1728, when her husband's will was proved. [Ref. p. 22] She married William Hoyt on 12 Jan 1687/8 in Amesbury. [Ref][Ref. p. 22] Dorothy and William had nine children. [Ref] She is mentioned in her grandfather Sargeant's will of 1670/1. [Ref]
  2. Elizabeth Colby was born on 1 Jun 1670. [Ref, p. 9] She probably died before 6 Mar 1715/6, unless she is the Elizabeth who left the colony, as she is not mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 9] She is mentioned in her grandfather Sargeant's will of 1670/1. [Ref, p. 9]
  3. Samuel Colby was born on 9 Mar 1671 in Amesbury. He died before 29 Sep 1746. He married Dorothy Ambrose.
  4. Daughter Colby was born on 3 Apr 1672 in Haverhill. [Ref] She probably died before 6 Mar 1715/6, as she is not mentioned in her father's will. [Ref]
  5. Philip Colby died before May 1715. [Ref] He married Anne Webster after 1 May 1703 (int.) in Amesbury. [Ref] Anne, the daughter of John and Bridget (Huggins) Webster, was born on 9 Jan 1681/2 in Newbury. [Ref] Philip had six children. [Ref]
    some descendants of Philip Colby

Generation 5

SAMUEL COLBY (b. 1671 - bef. 1746) of Amesbury

Parents: Samuel Colby and Elizabeth Sargeant [Ref, p. 23]

Samuel Colby was born on 9 Mar 1671 in Amesbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 23] He died before 29 Sep 1746, when his wife was appointed aministratrix of his estate. [Ref, p. 23] He married Dorothy Ambrose.

Samuel is on a 23 Dec 1708 list of 'snowshoe' soldiers of Amesbury. [Ref]

Samuel Colby, son of Samuel of Amesbury, was given a first choice of lots in the new tract at Deerfield by a 1 Aug 1741 order of the Court. This was apparently in recognition of being the descendant of a man who took part in the Fall's Fight in King Philip's war. [Ref 41;211-3]

Children of Samuel Colby and Dorothy Ambrose:

  1. Elizabeth Colby was born on 7 Dec 1694. [Ref, p. 50] She was living in Chester in 1741. [Ref, p. 50] She married John Rowell on 2 Mar 1714/5 in Amesbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 50] John, the son of Philip and Sarah (Morrill) Rowell, was born in Amesbury in 1683, was baptised on 30 Apr 1699 in Salisbury and died in 1736 in Kingston, New Hampshire. [Ref, p. 50] Elizabeth and John had six children. [Ref, p. 50]
    some descendants of Elizabeth Colby
  2. Keziah Colby was born on 11 May 1696. [Ref, p. 51] She died on 3 Nov 1754. [Ref, p. 51] She married first David Currier on 11 Dec 1718 in Amesbury. [Ref] [Ref, p. 51] David was born on 17 Feb 1695/6 in Amesbury and died between 1737 and 1747. [Ref, p. 51] She married second, as his second wife, Jacob Bagley on 2 Jun 1748. Keziah and her first husband had nine children. [Ref]
    some descendants of Keziah Colby
  3. Samuel Colby was born on 19 Apr 1698. [Ref, p. 52] He was living in 1768. [Ref, p. 52] He married Anna Nichols on 23 Oct 1718 in Amesbury. [Ref] Anna was the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Jameson) Nichols. [Ref, p. 52] Samuel and Anna had six children. [Ref]
    Samuel and Anna became Quakers. [Ref]
    some descendants of Samuel Colby
  4. Ambrose Colby was born on 11 May 1700 in Amesbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 52] He was baptised on 21 Dec 1718 in Charlestown. [Ref, p. 52] He died after 2 Mar 1778, when he signed his will. [Ref, p. 52] He married Elizabeth Lawrence on 22 Dec 1720 in Charlestown. [Ref, p. 53] Elizabeth was the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Clough) Lawrence. [Ref, p. 52] Ambrose and Elizabeth had ten children. [Ref, p. 53]
    Ambrose was a blacksmith in Pownalborough (Wiscasset), Maine. [Ref, p. 53] He signed petitions for the incorporation of the town in 1749 and 1754. [Ref, p. 53]
    some descendants of Ambrose Colby
  5. Ens. Enoch Colby was born on 7 Nov 1702 in Amesbury. He died on 19 Jul 1780. He married first Abigail Sanborn. He married second Sarah Sargeant.
  6. Susanna Colby was born on 15 Aug 1705 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 55] She died on 12 Sep 1790. [Ref, p. 55] She married Lieut. Micah Hoyt on 4 Feb 1725/6. [Ref, p. 55] Susanna and Micah had ten children. [Ref, p. 55]
  7. Obadiah Colby was born on 15 Jul 1706 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 56] He died before 2 Oct 1749, when administration on his estate was granted to his widow. [Ref, p. 56] He married Elizabeth Gee on 22 Apr 1728 in Boston. [Ref, p. 56] Elizabeth, the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Thornton) Gee, was born on 14 Jun 1704 in Boston. [Ref, p. 56] Obadiah and Elizabeth had five children. [Ref, p. 56]
    Obadiah was a blacksmith in Amesbury and Boston. [Ref, p. 56]
    some descendants of Obadiah Colby
  8. Dorothy Colby was born on 25 May 1708. [Ref] She was baptised, as a granddaughter of Henry Ambrose, on 1 Nov 1719 in Salisbury. [Ref] She married Samuel Watts of Haverhill on 13 Nov 1727 in Amesbury. [Ref] [Ref, int. 5 Nov 1727] Dorothy and Samuel had a daughter. [Ref]
  9. Hezekiah Colby was born on 25 Mar 1710 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 57] He was baptised, as a grandson of Henry Ambrose, on 1 Nov 1719 in Salisbury. [Ref, p. 57] He died before 17 Jul 1788, when administration on his estate was granted to his son. [Ref, p. 57] He married Sarah Cole on 3 Sep 1730 in Newbury. [Ref, p. 57] Sarah was perhaps the daughter of Philip and Mary Cole. [Ref, p. 57]
    Hezekiah was a shipwright in Newbury and Newburyport [Ref, p. 57] He moved to Deer Isle, Maine. [Ref]
    some descendants of Hezekiah Colby
  10. Ruggles Colby was born on 10 Jan 1711 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 58] He died in 1789 or 1790 in Edgecomb, Maine. [Ref, p. 58] He married Abigail Davis of Newbury on 15 Mar 1732/3 in Newbury. [Ref, p. 58] Ruggles and Abigail had at least eight children. [Ref]
    Ruggles was a shipwright. [Ref, p. 58] He lived in moved to Wicasset, Maine in 1749. [Ref, p. 58] He was one of the early settlers on the Sheepscot River in Maine. [Ref, p. 58] He served in the militia in 1757. [Ref, p. 58] He sold half of 1800 acres to Elijah Packard on 10 Oct 1765. [Ref, p. 58] He signed a petition for the incorporation of what was later called the town of Edgecomb, Maine on 26 Jan 1774. [Ref, p. 58] He sold 102 acres to Joseph Huff on 22 Mar 1782. [Ref, p. 58] He sold 50 acrs to Moses Huff on 1 Oct 1789. [Ref, p. 58]
    Abigail, the wife of Ruggles, was baptised and owned the covenant at the First Church in Amesbury on 16 May 1736. [Ref, p. 58]
    some descendants of Ruggles Colby
  11. Abigail Colby was born on 29 Apr 1713 in Amesbury. [Ref][Ref] She married first David Blaisdell on 16 Nov 1733. [Ref] David was a famous clock maker in Amesbury. Abigail married second, as his second wife, Titus Wells on 15 Oct 1760 in Amesbury. [Ref] Titus, a saddler in Amesbury, was the son of Titus and Joanna (Rowell) Wells of Amesbury. [Ref] He was born on 5 Feb 1705/6 in Amesbury and died after 1780 in Amesbury. [Ref] He married first Mary Sawyer on 24 Sep 1729 in Newbury. [Ref] Abigail and David had twelve children, of whom five died young. [Ref] Titus had ten children with his first wife, of whom two died young. [Ref] Thus, Titus' and Abigail's household had 15 children. [Ref]

Generation 6

ENS. ENOCH COLBY (1702 - 1780) of Hampton Falls and Chester

Parents: Samuel Colby and Dorothy Ambrose [Ref, p. 53]

Ens. Enoch Colby was born on 7 Nov 1702 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 53] His gravestone in Chester says that he died on 19 Jul 1780, age 77. [Ref] He married first Abigail Sanborn on 16 Dec 1725 in Hampton Falls. [Ref, p. 53][Ref] He married second [his double second cousin] Sarah Sargeant on 15 Dec 1748 in Chester. [Ref, p. 53]

Enoch Colby appears on the 1727 Hampton Falls tax list. [Ref, p. 493] On 10 Sep 1727 Abigail Colby was dismissed from the church at Hampton Falls to the church at Chester. [Ref]

On 1 Jan 1723 Benjamin Sanborn of Hampton gave Enoch Colby of Hampton one half of his right in Chester and the house on that lot. [Ref, p. 493] By a deed dated 26 Feb 1730/1, Samuel Smith, Jr and Stephen Smith sold Enoch Colby of Chester lot 39 in the first division in Chester. [Ref] Enoch bought land in Chester from Judith Rowell and John Saunders and his wife in 1744. [Ref, p. 583]

Enoch was appointed surveyor of the highways in Chester on 7 Mar 1730. [Ref][Ref, p. 493, only gives the year] He was on a committee to take care of the provision of the ordination of Rev. Hail in 1731. [Ref, pp. 76-7] He was a selectman in 1731. [Ref, p. 54] He was appointed field driver on 29 Mar 1733. [Ref] He was appointed tithingman on 28 Mar 1734. [Ref] On 7 Aug 1740 the General Assembly constituted two parishes in Chester, one Congregationalist and one Presbyterian. Enoch was of of three men authorised to call the first meeting of the Congregational Church. [Ref, p. 92] On 31 Mar 7143 Enoch was appointed to a committee to dispose of all of the old lead and glass in the meeting house and to put in new glazing. [Ref, pp. 94-5] He was appointed to a committee to meet with the Kingston committee and settle the boundary between the two towns on 27 Jun 1745. [Ref, p. 64] He was an ensign in 1749. [Ref]

He is on the 1778 tax list in Candia. [Ref 3;103]

He signed his will on 5 Jan 1779. [Ref, p. 54] It was proved on 30 Aug 1780 [Ref, p. 493][Ref, p. 54]

Children of Enoch Colby and Abigail Sanborn:

  1. Enoch Colby was born about 1726 in Hampton Falls. He was baptised on 1 Dec 1728. He died in 1778 and is buried in the Hill Cemetery in Candia. He married Abigail Blaisdell.
  2. Sarah Colby was baptised on 10 Sep 1727 in Hampton Falls. [Ref, p. 108] She died on 30 May 1810 [Ref, p. 494] in Candia. [Ref, p. 108] She married William Turner. [Ref, p. 494][Ref, p. 108] William died on 8 Dec 1796 in Candia. [Ref, p. 108]
    William was the first or second settler in Candia. [Ref, p. 494]
    some descendants of Sarah Colby
  3. Dorothy ('Dolly') Colby was born on 5 Jan 1730/1 in Chester. [Ref, p. 108][Ref says 16 Jan] She was baptised on 14 Feb 1730/1 in Haverhill. [Ref][Ref] She died on 15 Aug 1816 [Ref] in Chester. [Ref, p. 108] She married first David Worthen. [Ref, p. 494] David, the son of Thomas and Lydia Worthen of Chester, was born on 24 Oct 1734 in Amesbury and died on 19 Nov 1766. [Ref, p. 108] She married second Jacob Chase, Esq. [Ref, p. 494] as his second wife. [Ref] Jacob, the son of Joseph Chase, was born on 25 Dec 1727 in Newbury and died on 12 Dec 1803 in Chester. [Ref] He married first Prudence Hills on 7 Nov 1751. [Ref] Prudence, the daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Ordway) Hills, was born on 12 Feb 1726 in Newbury and died on 1 May 1775 in Chester. [Ref]
    Jacob served in the Battle of Bennington. [Ref] He owned the covenant at the First Church in Chester on 10 Dec 1769. [Ref, p. 109]
    some descendants of Dorothy Colby
  4. Jethro Colby was born on 8 May 1733 [Ref, p. 494] in Chester. [Ref] He died on 4 Apr 1803 [Ref, p. 494] in Chester. [Ref] He is buried in the Chester Village Cemetery. Click here for a photo of his grave. He married first Elizabeth Bartlett on 11 Nov 1756. [Ref, p. 494] Elizabeth, the daughter of Samuel Bartlett, died on 13 Jul 1778 in Chester. [Ref][Ref, p. 494] She is buried in the Chester Village Cemetery. Click here for a photo of her grave. He married second Nancy (Moulton) Bradley on 21 Sep 1779 in Hawke (now Danville) New Hampshire. [Ref] Nancy, the widow of Josiah Bradley, Sr., died in 1793. [Ref] Jethro and his first wife had two daughters. [Ref]
  5. Susanna Colby was born on 22 Aug 1735 [Ref, p. 494] in Chester. [Ref] She married Henry Blake of Hampton, New Hampshire. [Ref] Henry, the son of Joshua and Jemima Blake, was born in 1729 in Hampton. [Ref]
    some descendants of Susanna Colby
  6. Abigail Colby was born on 6 Nov 1737 in Chester. [Ref] She died on 3 Dec 1745 in Chester. [Ref]
  7. Abigail Colby was born on 20 Jul 1741. [Ref, p. 494][Ref] She married Unknown Hill. [Ref, p. 494][Ref] [This Abigail seems unlikely.]

Children of Enoch Colby and Sarah Sergeant:

  1. Abigail Colby was born on 19 Dec 1749 [Ref, p. 494] in Chester. [Ref] She married James Towle on 13 Sep 1768 in Hawke (now Danville) New Hampshire. [Ref] James, the son of Caleb and Rebecca (Prescott) Towle, was born on 31 Dec 1747 in Chester. [Ref]
  2. Mary Colby was born on 9 Nov 1756 [Ref, p. 494] in Chester. She married Benjamin Long after 1779. [Ref] Benjamin, the son of Nathan and Naomi (Eastman) Long, was born in 1750. [Ref]
    Mary and Benjamin moved to Schenectady, New York. [Ref, p. 494][Ref]
  3. Elizabeth Colby was born on 27 Jun 1758 [Ref, p. 494] in Chester. [Ref] She died on 29 Sep 1831 in Chester. [Ref]. She married John Wilson, Esq. after 1779. [Ref] John, the son of Robert and Jane (Aiken) Wilson was born on 7 Sep 1760 in Chester and died on 8 Mar 1837 in Chester. [Ref, p.616][Ref]
  4. Judith Colby was born on 10 Aug 1760 [Ref, p. 494] in Chester. [Ref] She married Joseph Long in 1778. [Ref] Joseph was the brother of Judith's sister Mary's husband Benjamin. [Ref, p. 494][Ref] Joseph was born on 18 Sep 1752 in Chester and died on 26 Nov 1836 in Chester. [Ref]
    some descendants of Judith Colby

Generation 7

ENOCH COLBY (bp. 1728 - 1778) of Candia

Parents: Ens. Enoch Colby and Abigail Sanborn [Ref, p. 106]

Enoch Colby was born about 1726 in Hampton Falls. [Ref, p. 54] He was baptised on 1 Dec 1728. [Ref] Presumably he is the Enoch Colby who died in 1778 and is buried in the Hill Cemetery in Candia. [Ref] He was buried as a Revolutionary War soldier in the First Cemetery in Candia. [Ref] He married Abigail Blaisdell [Ref][Ref, p. 493] about 1753. [Ref, p. 106]

Enoch settled in Candia on lot 89, 3rd division in 1750. [Ref][Ref, p. 494] In 1763 he was one of 38 citizens of the town who signed a petition asking that they might be incorporated. [Ref]

Enoch Colby, Jr. sold 20 acres to Abraham Fitts for £720 on 2 Jul 1763. [Ref, p. 519-20]

Enoch signed the Association Test at Candia in 1776. [Ref, p. 106] He is on the 1778 tax list in Candia. [Ref 3;103] He is in the 1790 census for Candia, living with two boys under sixteen and three females. [Ref]

Children of Enoch Colby and Abigail Blaisdell:

  1. John Colby was born about 1755. [Ref, p. 107] He died at Valley Forge [Ref, p. 494] in 1779, after having served since 1775 for his home town of Candia. [Ref, p. 107]
    John enlisted during the latter half of Apr 1775 under Lieut. Moses Dustin and Capt. Thomas Cogswell of Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was taken sick and his brother was allowed to replace him. [Ref, p. 180] He signed the Association Test at Candia in 1776. [Ref, p. 107]
  2. Hon. Enoch Colby was born on 27 Nov 1756 in Candia. [Ref, p. 180] He died on 3 Dec 1833 in Thornton. [Ref, p. 180] He married Lydia Worthen on 4 Jul 1781 in Amesbury. [Ref][Ref, p. 180] Lydia, the daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Morrill) Worthen, was born on 10 Jul 1755 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 180]
    Enoch enlisted on 20 Apr 1775 at Candia and marched to Cambridge, Massachusetts under Capt. Nathaniel Emerson. He served there for three weeks and was discharged. He then returned to Candia. [Ref, p. 180] After his brother enlisted in the latter part of Apr 1775 and became ill, he was allowed to replace him. [Ref, p. 180] He enlisted under Capt. Daniel Runnells of Londonderry, New Hampshire and served two months in Portsmouth and New Castle, New Hampshire. [Ref, p. 180] In Dec 1775 or Jan 1776 he enlisted under Capt. Moses Baker of Candia and served two or three months near Winter Hill, Massachusetts. [Ref, p. 180] In Jun 1776 he enlisted in Capt. Joseph Dearborn's company, Col. Wyman's regiment, in Jul 1776 and served five months at Fort Independence. [Ref, p. 181] He fought in the battle of Bennington, Vermont in 1777 in Capt Stephen Dearborn's company, Col. Thomas Stickney's regiment, Gen. John Stark's brigade. [Ref][Ref, p. 181] He served with Capt. Dearborn's company in Rhode Island from 5 Aug 1777 to 28 Apr 1778. [Ref] In Jun 1778 he enlisted under Capt. Jacob Warren and served in Rhode Island until Aug or Sep 1778. [Ref, p. 181] In the early fall of 1779 he enlisted for a month, marching throught he woods from Thornton to Haverhill, New Hampshire. [Ref, p. 181]
    Enoch was a Representative from Thornton for twelve years. [Ref, p. 180] He was a state Senator and Councilor of New Hampshire. [Ref, p. 494][Ref, p. 180] Enoch and Lydia had four children. [Ref, p. 180] In 1790 Enoch Colby was living in Thornton with two boys under sixteen and four females. [Ref]
    some descendants of Enoch Colby
  3. Jethro Colby was born in 1757. [Ref, p. 107] He died on "the dark day" [19 May 1780]. [Ref, p. 494][Ref, p. 107] The "dark day", 19 May 1780, was a day of great uncommon darkness; the meteorological reasons for this are uncertain. [Ref]
    Jethro was a Revolutionary soldier in Capt. Daniel Reynold's company, Col. Peabody's regiment, from 1 Jun 1779 to 1 Jan 1779. [Ref, p. 107]
  4. Nehemiah Colby was born about 1758. [Ref, p. 107] He died on 14 Dec 1840 in Candia [Ref, p. 107], at age 81 and is buried in the Candia Village Cemetery in Candia. [Ref] He married Mary Rowe, who was born in 1772 and who died on 12 Jul 1843 in Candia. [Ref, p. 107] Nehemiah and Mary had four children. [Ref]
    Nehemiah lived on his father's homestead. [Ref, p. 494][Ref, p. 107] He was a tax payer in Candia in 1800, 1810 and 1820. [Ref, p. 107] He was a tax payer in Candia in 1830. [Ref 5;334] He was a Mason. [Ref, p. 107]
    some descendants of Nehemiah Colby
  5. Dea. Abner Colby was born in Candia and died in Thornton. [Ref, p. 182] He married Ruth Cheney of Thornton. [Ref, p. 108] Abner and Ruth had at least six children. [Ref]
    Abner signed the Association Test as of Hopkinton, New Hampton in 1776. [Ref, p. 108] He was deacon of the church at Thornton. [Ref]
    some descendants of Abner Colby
  6. Samuel Colby was born in 1766 in Candia. He died on 23 Jun 1834 in Derby. He married Ruth French.
  7. Abigail ("Nabby") Colby was born in 1770. [Ref, p. 108] She died on 2 Mar 1842 in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 108] She married as his second wife her second cousin John Waterhouse Colby after 21 Jul 1798, when they published their intention in Amesbury. [Ref, p. 108]
  8. William Colby was born in 1775 and died in 1846 in Ohio. [Ref, p. 109]
  9. Mary Colby died in 1780. [Ref, p. 108]

Generation 8

SAMUEL COLBY (1766 - 1834) of Thornton and Derby

Parents: Enoch Colby and Abigail Blaisdell [Ref, p. 183]

Samuel Colby was born in 1766 in Candia. [Ref, p. 183] He died on 23 Jun 1834 in Derby, age 68. [Ref, p. 183] He married Ruth French. [Ref, p. 183][Ref, p. 494]

According to the census, in 1790 Samuel was living in Thornton with three boys under 16 and one female. [Ref]

By 1800 Samuel had moved to Derby, where he was living with one boy under ten, one boy, 10-15, one girl under 10 and two women 26-44. [Ref] In 1810 he was living in Derby with one boy under 10, one boy 10-15, one boy 16-25, one girl 10-15, one girl 16-25 and a woman 26-44. [Ref] In 1820 he was living in Derby with a man 26 - 45, three boys under ten, a woman over 45, a woman 26 - 45 and a girl under ten. Two people in his household were engaged in agriculture. [Ref] In 1830 he was living in Derby with a woman 60 - 70, a man 20 - 30 and a boy under five. [Ref]

Children of Samuel Colby and Ruth French:

  1. Capt. Nehemiah Colby was born in 1785 in Thornton. He died in 1862. He married first Melinda Larabee.
  2. Unknown son was born in 1787. [Ref, p. 183]
  3. Unknown son was born in 1789. [Ref, p. 183]
  4. Sarah Colby was born about 1793 in Thornton. [Ref, p. 183] She married Dea. William Verback. [Ref, p. 183] William, the son of Philip and Sarah (Martin) Verback, was born on 28 Apr 1792. [Ref, p. 183]
    William was deacon of the Congregational Church in Derby. [Ref, p. 183]
    In 1860 William was a farmer in Derby with real estate worth $1,500 and a personal estate worth $800. [Ref]
    some descendants of Sarah Colby
  5. Dr. Moses French Colby was born on 2 Jul 1795 in Thornton. [Ref, p. 183][Ref] He died on 4 May 1863 in Stanstead county, Quebec, Canada. [Ref, p. 244] He married Lemira Strong of Pawlet, Vermont on 1 July 1827. [Ref, p. 244] Lemira, the daughter of Timothy Strong was born in 1806 in Pawlet and died in 1889. [Ref] Moses and Lemira had four children. [Ref] Their son, Hon. Charles Carroll Colby, represented Stanstead in the Canadian House of Commons in 1871. [Ref]
    Moses studied medicine at Yale, Dartmouth and Harvard. [Ref, p. 244] He was a physician in Derby 1821 - 1823. [Ref, p. 244] He set up a medical practice in Stanstead Plain, Stanstead county in Dec 1831. [Ref] He practiced in Stanstead 1832 - 1863. [Ref, p. 244] He was a farmer who owned 530 acres. [Ref] He was sued for malpractice by Marcus Child after Moses treated Marcus's wife for a broken leg. He was defended by his nephew Stoddard Colby, but was not vindicated until 1857.
    some descendants of Moses Colby
  6. Ruth French Colby married Dr. David French. [Ref, p. 183]
  7. Emily Colby was born in Derby. [Ref, p. 245] She died on 13 Apr 1843 in Georgeville, Canada. [Ref, p. 245] She married Dr. Samuel S. Kendall on 28 Mar 1825 in Derby. [Ref, p. 245] Samuel was born on 14 Jan 1799 in Windsor, Vermont and died on 4 Feb 1854 in Georgeville. [Ref, p. 245] He married second Sarah Abigail Redfield on 17 Sep 1843. [Ref, p. 245] His MD was from Dartmouth and the University of Vermont. [Ref, p. 245] He practiced medicine in Coventry, Vermont and Georgeville. [Ref, p. 245] Samuel and Emily had six children. [Ref, p. 245]
    some descendants of Emily Colby

Generation 9

CAPT. NEHEMIAH COLBY (1785 - 1862) of Derby

Parents: Samuel Colby and Ruth French [Ref, p. 243]

Nehemiah Colby was born in 1785 in Thornton. [Ref, p. 243] He died in 1862. [Ref, p. 13][Ref, p. 172-5] He married first Melinda Larrabee. [Ref]

Melinda (Malinda) Larrabee was born in 1790. [Ref, p. 13][Ref, p. 172-5] She died on 19 Nov 1842 in Derby. [Ref, w. Hon. N, age 51][Ref, p. 243] A death notice for Melinda Colby of Derby, the wife of Nathaniel Colby, Esq., appeared on 29 Nov 1842. [Ref] She was the daughter of John Larrabee. [Ref, p. 13][Ref, p. 172-5] She is buried in the Derby Centre Cemetery. [Ref]

Nehemiah was a storekeeper and postmaster in Derby for nearly 30 years. [Ref, p. 243] He was the town clerk in Derby for 15 years, beginning in 1814. [Ref] He was a Congregationalist. [Ref, p. 13]

In 1820 Nehemiah was living in Derby with a woman 26 - 45, a boy and a girl 16 - 26 and three boys under 10. One person in his household was engaged in agriculture and two people were engaged in farming. [Ref] In 1830 he was living in Derby with a woman 30 - 40, a man and a woman 20 - 30, a boy 15 - 20, a girl 5 - 10 and a boy and a girl under five. [Ref] In 1840 he was living in Derby with a woman 40 - 50, two men and a woman 20 - 30, a boy 15 - 20, a girl 10 - 15, and a boy and a girl 5 - 10. [Ref] In 1850 Nehemiah was living in Derby with George R., age 25, Olive A., age 18, and Nehemiah M., age 15. He was a farmer with real estate worth $6,000. [Ref] In 1860 Nehemiah was living with his son George's family. He was a retired merchant with real estate worth $3,000 and a personal estate of $1,400. [Ref]

Nehemiah and Melinda had 13 children. [Ref, p. 13]

Children of Nehemiah Colby and Melinda Larrabee:

  1. Lucius F. Colby (conjectured son) was born about 1814 in Vermont. [Ref] He appears to have died between 1870 and 1880. He married Mary Unknown. She was born about 1815 in New Hampshire. [Ref]
    In 1860 Lucius was a farmer in Derby with real estate worth $5,000 and a personal estate worth $1,100. [Ref] In 1870 Lucius was a farmer in Derby with real estate worth $6,000 and a personal estate worth $1,500. [Ref] In 1880 Mary was living in Derby with her daughter. [Ref] In 1883-4 Mary, the widow of Lucius, had a farm in Derby. [Ref, p. 470]
    some descendants of Lucius F. Colby
  2. Hon. Stoddard Benham Colby was born on 3 Feb 1816 in Derby. He died on 21 Sep 1867 in Haverhill, New Hampshire. He married first Harriet Elizabeth Proctor. He married second Ellen Cornelia Hunt.
  3. Laura Leland Colby was born in 1823. [Ref, p. 244] She died on 12 Nov 1833 in Derby. [Ref, p. 244]
  4. George R. Colby was born about 1825 in Vermont. [Ref] He died between 1883 and 1900. He married Harriet Unknown. [Ref] She was born in Jul 1829 in Vermont. [Ref]
    George "remained at home". [Ref, p. 243] In 1860 George was a farmer in Derby with real estate worth $3,500 and a personal estate of $1,000. [Ref] In 1870 George was a farmer in Derby with real estate worth $6,000 and a personal estate of $1,600. [Ref] In 1880 George and Harriet were living in Derby. [Ref] In 1883-4 George was a wool grower with 87 sheep and a farmer in Derby. [Ref, p. 470] In 1900 Harriet was a widow, living by herself in Derby. [Ref]
    some descendants of George R. Colby
  5. Ruth F. Colby was born about 1827 in Vermont. [Ref] She died after 1875. [Ref, p. 222] She married Henry Francis Prentiss. [Ref, p. 222] Henry was the son of Samuel and Lucretia (Houghton) Prentiss. [Ref, p. 222] He was born about 1816 in Vermont. [Ref] He died on 2 Dec 1872. [Ref, p. 222]
    Henry studied law. [Ref, p. 222] He moved to Derby and was the state attorney in Orleans county in 1852. [Ref, p. 222] He was deputy collector of customs. [Ref, p. 222] He and Ruth moved to Milwaukee where he was a register of bankruptcy. [Ref, p. 222] In 1860 Henry was a lawyer in Milwaukee with real estate worth $25,000 and a personal estate of $3,000. [Ref]
    some descendants of Ruth F. Colby
  6. Olive A. Colby was born about 1832 in Vermont. [Ref] She was the 12th child. [Ref, p. 13] She married the Hon. George Stewart Robinson [Ref, p. 13] on 13 Oct 1853. [Ref, p. 172-5] George, the son of George and Harriet (Stewart) Robinson, was born on 24 Jun 1824 in Derby. [Ref, p. 13][Ref, p. 172-5] He died on 30 Oct 1894. [Ref, p. 172-5]
    George began his law training at age 19 in the office of his later brother-in-law Hon. Stoddard Benham Colby. [Ref, p. 13][Ref, p. 172-5] He was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1846, but became a teacher in 1847. [Ref, p. 172-5] After their marriage, George and Olive moved to Cuthbert, Georgia, where George practiced law. [Ref, p. 172-5] According to the census, Olive A. Robinson was age 27 and living with her husband George S. Robinson, age 35, in Randolph, Georgia in 1860. George was "compelled to serve in the Georgia State Militia" during the Civil War. [Ref, p. 172-5] George and Olive moved to De Kalb county, Illinois in 1866. [Ref, p. 172-5] He was a county judge from 1877 to 1882. [Ref, p. 172-5] He served two terms as alderman of Sycamore, Illinois. [Ref, p. 172-5]
    some descendants of Olive Colby
  7. Nehemiah M. Colby was born about 1835 in Vermont. [Ref] He married first Anne Unknown. She was born about 1836 in Derby. [Ref] She died between 1880 and about 1882. They appear to have had no children that survived infancy. [Ref] Nehemiah married second Mattie Unknown about 1882. [Ref] Mattie was born in Aug 1851 in Vermont. [Ref]
    Nehemiah M. Colby of Derby was a First Lieutenant in the second battalian attached to the second brigade of the Vermont militia on 14 Jun 1865. [Ref, p. 18]
    In 1860 Nehemiah was a farmer in Derby with real estate worth $3,500 and a personal estate of $870. [Ref] In 1870 Nehemiah was a farmer in Derby with real estate worth $4,000 and a personal estate of $1,100. [Ref] In 1880 Nehemiah and Anne were living in Derby. [Ref] In 1883-4 Nehemiah was a wool grower with 70 sheep and a farmer in Derby. [Ref, p. 470] In 1900 Nehemiah and Mattie were living in Derby with their son. [Ref]
    some descendants of Nehemiah M. Colby

Generation 10

HON. STODDARD BENHAM COLBY (1816 - 1867) of Derby and Montpelier

Obituaries

letters

Parents: Capt. Nehemiah Colby and Melinda Larrabee [Ref, p. 243]

Hon. Stoddard Benham Colby was born on 3 Feb 1816 in Derby. [Ref, p. 243][Ref] He died on 21 Sep 1867 [Ref][Ref, p. 243] in Haverhill, New Hampshire [Ref]. He married first Harriet Elizabeth Proctor on 10 Feb 1840. [Ref] He married second Ellen Cornelia Hunt on 12 Jul 1855. [Ref, p. 243] Ellen was the daughter of Caleb Hunt of Haverhill, New Hampshire. [Ref, p. 243]

 

Stoddard graduated from Dartmouth in 1836. [Ref, p. 243][Ref] He was Representative to the legislature from 1841 to 1864. [Ref, p. 243] He was an attorney and the state's attorney for Washington county, Vermont in 1851. [Ref, p. 243] He was Register of the US Treasury from 1863 to 1867. [Ref, p. 243] He received an honorary LLD degree from Dartmouth just before his death. [Ref]

In 1840 Stoddard and Harriet were living by themselves in Derby. [Ref] In 1850 Stoddard, age 34, and Harriet, age 30, were living in Montpelier with Jabez P., age 9, Laura, age 6, and Edward, age 2. Stoddard had real estate worth $2,800. [Ref] In 1860 Stoddard, age 43, was living in Montpelier with Ellen H. Colby, age 26, Laura M. Colby, age 17, and Edward P. Colby, age 12. He was an attorney with real estate worth $7,000 and a personal estate of $5,000. [Ref]

Children of Stoddard B. Colby and Harriet E. Proctor:

  1. Jabez Proctor Colby was born on 10 Nov 1840 [Ref says 1841] in Rockingham, Vermont. [Ref, p. 243] He died in May 1893 and is buried in the Proctor cemetery; his gravestone says that he is the son of Harriet and Stoddard. [Ref]
    In 1880 Jabez P. Colby, age 37, and Susan E. Colby, age 34, both born in Vermont, were living in Newbury, Orange, Vermont. No children lived with them and Jabez was a mail route agent. [Ref]
  2. Laura Melinda Colby was born on 13 Feb 1844 in Derby. She died on 14 Dec 1921 in Tisbury, Dukes county, Massachusetts. She married Brig. Gen. Asa Bacon Carey.
  3. Edward P. Colby was born about 1845. Lieutenant E. P. Colby of the 11th US Infantry shot himself in the head with a pistol on 31 Dec 1869 in Jefferson, Texas. He was 24 years old. [Ref][Ref]
  4. Lucien Redfield Colby died on 14 Sep 1854, at almost three years of age. [Ref] He is buried in the Proctor cemetery. [Ref]

Children of Stoddard B. Colby and Ellen Cornelia Hunt:

  1. Ellen Rebecca Colby married Frederick Abbott Stokes on 10 May 1888. [Ref, p. 405-8] Frederick, the son of Frederick Abbott and Caroline Augusta (Allen) Stokes, was born on 4 Nov 1857 in Brooklyn. [Ref, p. 405-8][Ref]
    In 1910 Frederick and Ellen were living in Manhatten with their two sons and Ellen's mother. Frederick was a book publisher. [Ref] He was president of the publishing house Frederick A. Stokes Co. [Ref, p. 405-8]
    some descendants of Ellen Rebecca Colby (plus a photo of Frederick A. Stokes and Ellen's and Frederick's wedding announcement)
  2. Frank Moore Colby was born on 10 Feb 1865 in Washington, DC. [Ref, p. 244][Ref, Feb 1865] He married Harriet Wood Fowler [Ref] about 1897 [Ref]. Harriet was born in Aug 1871 in New Jersey. [Ref] He received an AB from Columbia in 1888 and an AM from Columbia in 1889. [Ref, p. 244] He was assistant professor of History at Amherst 1890-91. [Ref, p. 244] He was a famous editor. [Ref, p. 244]
    some descendants of Frank Moore Colby

Generation 11

LAURA MELINDA COLBY (1844 - 1921)

Parents: Stoddard Benham Colby and Harriet Elizabeth Proctor

Laura Melinda Colby was born on 13 Feb 1844 in Derby. [Ref] She died on 14 Dec 1921 in Tisbury, Dukes county, Massachusetts. [Ref] An announcement appeared in the 15 Dec 1921 Vineyard Gazette. [Ref] She married Brig. Gen. Asa Bacon Carey on 31 Jul 1867 in Montpelier. [Ref][Ref, p. 273]

Laura filed for a veteran's widow's pension on 3 Aug 1912. [Ref] According to the 1920 census, in 1920 Laura was living with her sister-in-law Elizabeth [Cary] Geer and a nurse companion in Tisbury. She is described as a 75-year old widow, born in Vermont.

Her entry in The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, v. 81, p. 304 [Ref]:

"Mrs. Laura Colby Carey.
DAR ID Number: 80827
Born in Derby, Vt.
Wife of Gen. A. B. Carey, U. S. A.
Descendant of Lieut. Leonard Proctor.
Daughter of Stoddard B. Colby (1816-67) and Harriet E. Proctor (1819-52), his wife, m. 1840.
Granddaughter of Jabez Proctor (1780-1839) and Betsey Parker (1797-1871), his wife, m. 1817.
Gr-granddaughter of Leonard Proctor and Mary Keep (1743-1827), his wife, m. 1769.
Leonard Proctor (1734-1827) responded to the first call for troops and served as lieutenant at the siege of Boston. In 1780 he was a member of the Committee of Safety. He was born in Chelmsford, Mass.; died in Proctorsville, Vt."

photo: Laura Melinda Colby and her brother

References

Amesbury, Essex, Massachusetts GenWeb Site.

Anderson, Robert Charles, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Vol. 1-3, Boston, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995.

Baer, C. trans., Index to Death and Marriage Notices in the Vineyard Gazette 1884 - 1939, Compiled by Mrs. Kathryn Stewart in 1995, Historical Records of Tisbury, Mass., http://history.vineyard.net/vgind1.htm, 1996

Binney, C. J. F., The History and Genealogy of the Prentice or Prentiss Family, second edition, published by the editor, Boston, 1883.

Blake, Francis E., "Lists of Soldiers of Newbury, Amesbury, Bradford and Vicinity," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 50, 1896, 338 - 346.

Bodge, George, "Soldiers in King Philip's War," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, many volumes.

Boston Births, Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths, 1630-1699, New England Historic and Genealogical Society.

Boyko, Janice, comp., Saint Johnsbury Caledonian Newspaper Death Notices from 1837 to 1850, Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia, VT, Northwest Kingdom Genealogy, www.nekg-vt.com.

Brown, Asa W., "Early Settlers of Salisbury, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 7, 1853, 311-314; 8, 1854, 79-82, 157-162.

Bureau of the Census, Fourth Census of the United States, 1820, Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, 1820.

Bureau of the Census, Fifth Census of the United States, 1830, Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, 1830.

Bureau of the Census, Sixth Census of the United States, 1840, Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, 1840.

Bureau of the Census, Seventh Census of the United States, 1850, Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, 1850. .

Bureau of the Census, Eighth Census of the United States, 1860, Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, 1860.

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