Edward Convers

Notes:

From "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Converse, Jr." page 1: Deacon Edward Convers was on of the select company of Puritans who came from England to this country in the fleet with Winthrop, whose ship, the "Arbella", preceding the other vessels of the fleet, arrived at Salem 12 June 1630, after a stormy passage of sixty-three days. With him came his wife, Sarah, and chilren, Josiah, James, and Mary. They settled first in Charlestown, Mass. "Edward Convers and Sarah Convers, his wife," were among the first members of the church received on the Sunday following its organization in Charlestown 30 July 1630, and which included in its congregation members on bothe sides of the river, the majority of who had removed to Boston within a few months. This was the First Church of Boston, and from it Edward and Sarah Convers and thirty-three other members were dismissed 14 October 1632, to be embodied as teh First Church of Charlestown, entering into mutual convenant for this purpose 2 November 1632.
The name of Edward Convers appears among those who "desire to be made freemaen" 19 October 1630, and took the oath as such 18 May 1631, these being the first to be admitted to the company in New England.
He established the first ferry between Charlestown and Boston under the vote of the General Court of 9 November 1630, and 14 June 1631 was authorized to charge, for ferrying, "two pence for every single person, and one penny apiece fi there be two or more." This lease was renewed 9 November 1637, for three years.

From "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Converse, Jr." page 3: He built the first house in Woburn previous to 4 January 1641, which was at the mill once called by his nme in the South Village, no Winchester. He also built this first mill there, a corn mill. The first bridge built in Woburn was next to his house and mill.

From "Some Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Converse, Jr." page 5: "Mr. Hill, in his book, gives an account of what he states he had proof was the English ancestry of Deacon Edward Convers, the place of his residence in England as Wakerly, County of Northampton, the date of his birth as 30 January 1590, and his first wife as Jane Clarke, who died probably before 1617 and was the daughter of William Clarke of Theckenham, Worcestershir, England. Mrs. Sarah Convers died 14 January 1661-62, and Deacon Edward again married, 9 September 1662, Joanna Sprague, the widow of Ralph Sprague of Charlestown, Mass., the last two dates being from Woburn Records.

Richard Frothingham, in his History of Charlestown, Mass., says: --"She (Joanna) may have been Edward Convers' third wife." She bore no children to him, and she died 24 February 1679-80.

Deacon Edward Convers died in Woburn 10 August 1663. His will was dated August 1659, and recored 7 October 1663. His estate was valued at L827. In his will he mentions his wife, Sarah; his sons, Josiah, James, and Samuel; Edward, the son of James; his daughter Mary and her chilren by her first marriage; his "kinsman, Allen Convers;" "his kinsman," John Parker; and his "kinsworman" Sarah Smith. Mr. Eben Putnam suggest that Sarah Smith may be the Sarah Converse named in the will of Samuel Fuller of Plymouth, the good physician who relieved the sick at Salem and Charlestown, date and probated in 1633."

Edward Convers helped to establish and found the town of Woburn in 1640 which was organized in 1644, Massachucetts. He was selectman and Deacon of its church from its founding to his death.

Edward married Jane Clarke. Jane died before 1617. [Group Sheet]

Edward married Sarah before Jun 1630. Sarah died on 14 Jan 1661/62 in Wobrun, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

1. James Convers was born before Jun 1630 in England; died in 1715.
2. Josiah Convers was born in 1617 in England; died on 03 Feb 1689/90.
3. Mary Convers was born in 1622 in England.
4. Samuel Convers was born about 1637; died on 20 Feb 1668/69 in Wobrun, Massachusetts.

Edward married Joanna on 09 Sep 1662 in Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts. Joanna died on 24 Feb 1679/80. [Group Sheet]

Christopher married Mary Halford. [Group Sheet]