2. Paul Sears Capt (Richard ) was born 1 after 20 Feb 1637/1638 in Marblehead, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He died 20 Feb 1707/1708 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA.
SP May, p 41- Paul Sears took the oath of "Fidellyte" in 1657, held a commission as a captain in the militia, and made claim for a horse lost in Narragansett war, but I find no record of his services. October 30, 1667, he was one of the grand jury, in an inquest held on the child of Nicholas Nickerson. He was one of the original proprietors of lands in Harwich, between Bound and Stony brooks, known as "Wing's Purchase," as appears by deed of John Wing et als., to Paul Seers et als., dated April 16,1677, recorded at Plymouth.
The early town records of Yarmouth were destroyed by fire at the burning of
the town clerk's house in 1674, and from the succeeding volume the first twenty-six pages are gone, and others mutilated and worn.
The names and dates of birth of his children have been supplied from various sources, and are believed to be correct.
I annex copies of the will and inventory of Paul Sears;- the will is signed with his mark, as is also the inventory of John Burge's estate, rendered by him and recorded Barns. Rec II, 1701, p130.
He left property valued at L 467 03 03, to his "loving wife Deborah," and to his sons, "Samuel, Paul and John;" that to his sons being charged with a payment to "their brothers, Richard and Daniel, towards their purchase of lands at Manamoy;" having given to his daughters, (whose names are unfortunately omitted) "such parts or portions as I was able or thought fitt."
In the ancient cemetery in Yarmouth lies a stone slab, removed from its place to make room for the granite monument to the Searses, which bears the following inscription, surmounted by a cherub's head and scroll work:
Here lyes the
Body of Paul
Sears, who
Departed this
life February ye
20th 1707, in ye 70th
year of his age."
It is the oldest dated memorial in the cemetery.
His wife was doubtless laid by his side, but there is no stone to her memory.
George Willard, the father of Paul Sears' wife, was the son of Richard and
Joane (Morebread) W., of Horsmonden, Kent, Eng., where he was bap. Dec. 4, 1614.
He settled at Scituate for a time, removing thence it is said to Maryland or
Gorgeane Maine. There is some reason to believe that his wife was Dorothy
Dunster, dau. of Henry D., of Baleholt, near Bury, Lanc., sister to Eliz'h D., who m. his bro. Simon Willard; and to Rev. Henry D., Pres. of Harvard College.
[See Willard Mem., 1858, p. 339]
Paul Sears was the first to adopt the present spelling of SEARS.
In the name of God, Amen, the Twentieth Day of February, 1707-8.
I, Paul Sears, Senr. of Yarmouth, in ye County of Barnstable, in New England, being at this time ill and weak in body but of Disposing mind and memory, Praised be God, Do make, Constitute, ordain and Declare this my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following:
First, and principally. I Comitt my soul to God, most humbly depending upon the gracious Death and merits of Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour for Salvation, and to the free pardon of all my sins. And my Body to the Earth to be buryed in such Decent Christian manner as to my Executors hereafter named shall be thought fitt.
And as for my outward Estate, as Lands, Chattels and Goods, I do order Give and Dispose in manner and form following;
First, - I will that all those Debts and Duties that I owe in Right or
Conscience To any person whatsoever shall be truly paid in convenient time,
after my Decease by my Executors hereafter named, out of my movable Estate.
Item,- I do give and bequeath to my eldest son Samuel Sears, all that my land and meadow in the township of Harwich upon part whereof his house now stands as is comprehended within and between the boundaries now following: (that is to say ,) bounded on the east by Kenelm Winslows Land at ye known and accustomed bounds and on the west side beginning at a remarkable rock, (lying about four Rods eastward from Yarmouth bound Rock at bound brook,) and from the sd Remarkable Rock the line runs Southerly over the Swamp and up ye hill to a great Pine tree marked in sd Yarmouth line: and thence up ye same straight line Southerly to the highway: and thence eastward as the way runs to ye said Winslows Land, (the sd highway being the bounds on ye south side) And the beginning again att ye sd Remarkable Rock the line runs northerly to a stone sett in ye ground: and thence easterly to the edge of ye marsh by a straight line to another stone sett in to the ground, and so bounded by the marsh to another stone sett in the ground northerly on a straight line to a bend of ye main Creek at a stone sett in the Maresh, and on the north side tis bounded by the known and accustomed bounds and of my interest in the undivided lands in sd Harwich, viz.: that is my sd son Saml. shall sixteen acres to himself in ye next Division (ye proprietors make of the undivided Lands) and the one half of all the rest of my interest there. All which sd Lands and Meadows shall be to my sd son Samuel Sears, and to his heirs and assigns forever, he yielding to his mother, my wife, one third part of ye proffits thereof during her natural life, and also paying to his two
brothers Richard and Daniel, forty and two pounds in money towards the paying
their purchase at Manamoy. I do give him my Try pott and Kettle.
It.- I do give and bequeath to my son Paul Sears and to his heirs and assigns forever, one piece of fresh meadow called the Green Meadow which lyeth on the north side of my old house and is bounded eastward at ye Well or Spring, then westward taking in all ye Marsh or ground to ye old cartway (which leads into ye neck) on Joseph Sears fence: thence northeastward as the old sd cartway and fence runs to Zachariah Paddocks fence or line which is ye bounds on ye north side to bound brook, the sd bound brook and well or spring being the bounds on the east side, and also one quarter part of my interest of the undivided Lands in sd Harwich (besides the above sd Sixteen acres given to my son Samuel,) and for the rest of my son Pauls land is in ye neck where he now dwells, and by me confirmed by Deed of Gift formerly, and my Will is that he shall yield to his mother, my wife, one third of the proffits or income of all I have given him, during her natural life, and that he shall pay to his two brothers Richard and Daniel, forty and four pounds in money towards the paying their purchases att Manamoy.
My will further is that the Ditch which hath been the accustomed bounds in the marsh betwixt my son Paul, and my kinsman Josiah Sears shall remain forever; beginning southerly att ye upland and running straight northerly to the Creek which did run on ye north side of ye island, which creek shall be the north bounds:
And my Will is, and I do give all that slip of meadow on the West side of ye sd ditch unto the said Josiah Sears, his heirs and assigns forever.
It.- I do give and bequeath unto my son John Sears, and to his heirs and assigns forever, all the rest of my Homestead, both housings, lands and meadows, also one quarter part of all my interest in the undivided lands in ye sd Harwich, excepting the sixteen acres before given to my son Saml.-he my sd son John allowing and yielding to his mother, my wife, the one third part of my Housing, and the third of the proffits of ye lands during her natural life, and he paying to his two brothers Richard and Daniel, forty and four pounds in money towards their purchase att Manamoy.
It.- I do give and bequeath all my movable Estate as Cattle, sheep, horses,
swine and household stuff &c, unto my loving wife Deborah, (my Debts and
Funerall charges being first paid.) She shall have the rest for her comfort
while she lives: and what she leaves at her death to be equally divided amongst my daughters to whom I have each of them given such parts or portions as I was able or thought fitt.
Lastly,- I do nominate and appoint my sd son Saml Sears and my Loving Wife
Deborah executors to this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand and seal ye day and year in ye other side first above written.Signed, sealed & declared in The mark and seal of
presence of Paul (=) Sears, Senr. (seal)
John Thacher
Zachariah Paddock
Samuel HowesBarnstable, ss. April 14, 1883. A true copy of the record,
Attest, Freeman H. Lothrop, Register of Probate CourtA true invnetory of all and Singular ye Goods, Chattels, Housing, Lands and
Credits of Paul Sears, yeoman, deceased, prised at Yarmouth, ye 19th day of
March 1708: By Peter Thacher & Kenelm Winslow, as followeth:
L s d
Impr. - his money L1 17 6 his apparel of all sorts 10 9 0 11 18 6
It.- Two feather beds, two other beds, bedstead, curtains and
valence with bolsters, pillows, and all ye coverlids and sheets 21 13 6
It.- Table and chairs 1 4 0 andirons, trammels iron potts &
pot hooks ................................................. 03 08 06
Tongs, & fire flue, iron kettles, skillets, frying pans ........ 03 02 06
It.- Brass kettle,warming pan,hitchell,stillyards,chest & boxes 02 06 00
It.- Spinning wheels 10s pewter platter, paltes cups & potts ... 01 17 00
It.- Koolers, pails, trays, trenches & spoons, table linen &
towels .............................................. 01 02 00
It.- his saddle, bridle, pilyon, & cloth, flax & linen yarn .... 02 00 00
It.- Cash, candlestick, lamp, draving knife axes, sickle & hoes 00 17 00
A sifting trough, wool, five washing tubs knife, scissors,
looking glass ................................................. 00 09 00
It.- Salt & feathers, and iron wedge, ye iron belonging to ye
cart, and plows and spade a staple and cap ring, & caps & ring 02 19 00
It.- 4 bushels Rye, 24 of Indian, 3 of Wheat and 1/2 his books 05 00 00
Tobacco, 10s pitchforks, powder horn, bullets, and sword ..... 00 17 00
Grindstone, and tin ware, 2 oxen, 5 cows, 2 steers ........... 23 05 00
It.- 2 yearlings, a bull and one horse, 3 swine, 25 sheep .... 11 05 00
It.- his housing, lands, and meadows at 350 .................. 350 00 00
more about 3 acres of English corn upon ye ground not prised.______________
The total ................... 445 07 09
now due to ye Estate about ................................. 21 15 06April 8th, 1708
Samuel Sears Executor to the last Will and Testament of Paul Sears of Yarmouth his deceased father, before Barnabas Lothrop, Esq., Judge of Probate and granting letters of Administration, within this County of Barnstable, made oath that the above written is a true Inventory of ye Estate of ye sd Paul Sears so far as he knows, and that if any thing else that is material shall yt farther come to his knowledge he will bring it to this Inventory.
Attest Wm. Bassett, Reg. Peter Thacher
Kenelm Winslow, Jun.
Barnstable, ss. April 14, 1883. A true copy of the record.
Attest, Freeman H. Lothrop, Register of Probate CourtMD 25, p.49 Maj William Bradford's Confirmation of his mother's deed to
Richard Sears with an autograph of John Alden. Widow Alice Bradford sold land
on 23 November 1664 to Richard Sears of Yarmouth -To all people to whom these
prnts shall come Major William Bradford of Plimoth in the Govrment of New
Plimoth in New England Esqr... in consideration of ye sume of Twenty pounds to her in hand payd, by Richard Seers, his heires & Assigns for ever, two
Allotments, of Land conteyning forty acres be they more, or be they lesse,
lying and being at a place, comonly called Sesuit between a brooke comonly
called & knowne, by the name of Bound Brooke,[boundary bewteen Dennis &
Brewster ed.] and a brooke called Saquetuckett brooke, as also a crtyn tract of meadow to ye foresd Lotts appteyning, and are abutalled as p a deed of FeofementBIRTH-PARENTS: PAF GEDCOM; 1996; Benjamin F Rollins, Jr, email:
brollins@capecod.net "Mooncusser: ; ; ;RINs:33943-34450
OCCU Captain
MARR DATE CIR. 1658Dennis, Cape Cod, p 59, 108 In 1680 the Town Meeting appointed the following men to watch for drift whales and claim them for the town: Paul Sears, Samuel Worden, Silas Sears and John Burges from Sawtucket to Nobscusset Point.
Paul married Deborah Willard, daughter of George Willard and Dorothy Dunster, about 1658 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Ma.. Deborah was born before 14 Sep 1645 and was christened 1 14 Sep 1645 in Scituate, Plymouth Colony. She died 13 May 1721 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA.
Gale S Burwell, Ridge, MD christening pl.
BIRTH-PARENTS: PAF GEDCOM; 1996; Benjamin F Rollins, Jr, email:
brollins@capecod.net "Mooncusser: ; ; ;RINs:33943-34450
BAPM DATE SEP 14 1645
BAPM PLAC Scituate, Ma.
They had the following children:
5 F i Mercy Sears was born 3 Jul 1659 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. + 6 F ii Bethia Sears + 7 M iii Samuel Sears Capt + 8 F iv Lydia Sears + 9 M v Paul Sears + 10 F vi Mary Sears + 11 F vii Ann Sears + 12 M viii John Sears Capt + 13 M ix Richard Sears + 14 M x Daniel Sears Capt
3. Silas Sears Lieut (Richard ) was born 1637-8 in Marblehead, MA. He died 1 13 Jan 1697 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA.
S P May p 49, Lieut Silas Sears lived in that part of Yarmouth known as the East precinct, now East Dennis; was propounded to take up Freedom,"Jun 6 1682; comd Ensign, Oct 28, 1681; Lieut. Jul 7, 1682; chosen representative to the General Court at Plymouth 1680-82.
25 Dec 1689, "Silas Sears and others fined 20s for not appearing and attending at court, or disorderly departing therefrom;"-fines remitted later,"it being first offense of the kind."
1694, "Lt Silas Sears on Com. to seat men, women and others in the meeting
house;" an onerous duty in those days.1 Nov 1676, Emott Bursell and Silas Sears were appointed administrators of
the estate of James Bursell of Yarmouth.He left no will, and letters of administration were granted to his widow Anna, May 5, 1698, a copy of which is annexed, mentions sons Silas, Richard, Joseph and Josiah; and daughters, Hannah, Elizabeth and Dorrity.
Rev E.H. Sears states in his "Sears Genealogy," that Lieut. Silas Sears had a son Thomas, born Yar., 1664, who removed to Newport, R.I., and died there 1707 leaving issue.
Freeman Hist Cape Cod II p.205, says Lt. Silas Sears d. ae. 60 and it is
said copied from Yar. Rec. but the entry is now lost.About 1860, a gravestone was erected by Hon. David Sears in the old burying ground on Thames street, Newport, which bears the following inscription. [Copy of epitaph in N.E.Gen. Reg., communicated by Hon. D.S.]
"Here lyeth the body of
Thomas Seares,
Son of Lt. Sylas Seares,
of Yarmouth, P.C.
And grandson of Richard
the Pilgrim.
Born in 1664, and died
August ye 16th 1707,
Aged 43 years.
"Beneath this stone the empty casket lies,
The polished jewel brightens in the skies."
P.Stevens & Sons.
[Stone-cutters]
This stone is surmounted by the arms of "Sears of Chatham."The name of Thomas Sears is not found in town or church records of Yarmouth or Newport, nor in the Probate records of Barnstable county, or of Newport, R.I; and the fact that he is not mentioned in the settlement of the estate of Lieut. Silas Sears, nine years previous to his alleged death, should be considered good evidence that Silas Sears had no son of that name then living, if he ever had such.
Silas Sears, Jun., did have a son Thomas, born in 1702-3, named for his maternal grandfather, Rev. Thomas Crosby.
MD 32, p.165 Abstracts of Barnstable County, Mass Probate Records
Settlement of Estate of Lt Silas Sears
p.70 "The Invintory of Liut Silus Sears of yarmouth Lately deceased" was not
dated. It was sworn to, 2 May, 1698, by "Anna Sears vid Relict of Liut Silus
Sears". The real estate was: "Houses lands and meadow" L130. The estate was
indebted to:"mr John xxxx, mr Isaac Chapman, Nathaniel Cole, Thankful Boarman,
Samuel Taylor, Seth Taylor, James Sturgis, mr Jonathan White,John Paddack, mr
Barnabas Lothrop.p.71 On 5 May, 1698, Anna Sears the widow, was appointed administrix of Lt
Silas Sears, "deceased Intestate".p.72 On 5 May, 1698, Barnabas Lothrop, Judge of Probate, settled the estate
as follows:
May ye 15th, 1698, by Barnabas Lothrop, Judg of Probate and granting admini-
stration in ye county of Barnstable, a settlement of ye Estate of Liut. Silas
Sears late of Yarmouth deceased Intestate: and to be devided as hereafter
exprest.SPM (Typescript) (perhaps Silas was a twin) he m. Anna, perhaps a daughter of James Bursell, of Yarmouth, who died in 1676, leaving widow Emott, and it is said three daughters; his widow and Lt Silas Sears were appointed Admnistrators of his estate.
SPM p 49
The widow Anna Sears shall have when debts are paid, one third of ye
personal Estate to herself forever: to be at her dispose. And for her dower she shall have one third of ye housing and Land that was her Late husbands sd Silas Sears or ye Improvement thereof During her Natural Life.The Rest of ye Estate shall be equally divided amongst ye sd (said) deceaseds children, only his eldest son to have a dubble part, at ye Death of ye widow her Dower to be like divided as aforesaid.
There is to be added to ye Inventory of ye sd personal estate fifty four
pounds which sum of sd deceaseds children own that they have all Redy Received of their father as portion, so that ye widows thirds of ye personal Estate when debts are paidcoms to thirty three pounds, ye childrens part of ye personal and Real Estate beside ye widows Dower with what thwey have allRedy had is as followeth:
The eldest son Silas Sears hath as he owned, had alredy, two pounds, and must have more nine pounds.
(The word "thirty" before "two" was doubtless omitted by mistake of the
Register in 1698.)
Richard Sears hath allRedy four pounds and seven shillings, and must have
more, sixteen pounds and three shillings.
Hannah Sears hath had allRedy fifteen pounds, and is to have more five pounds and ten shillings. Joseph Sears hath had allRedy three pounds and is to have more seventeen pounds and ten shillings.
Josiah Sears is to have twenty pounds and ten Shillings.
Elizabeth Sears is to have Twenty pounds and ten shillings.
Dorrity Sears is to have twenty pounds and ten shillings.
only if debts should appear morethan ye doth due from sd Estate, then widow and children according to what they have or shud Receive must pay their proportions thereof.
Barnabas Lothrop, Judg of Probate. (Seale)
Barnstable, ss. Oct. 8,1885. A true copy of the record,
Attest, Freeman H Lothrop, Register of Probate Court.The Inventory of Liut. Silas Sears of Yarmouth, LAtely deceased and his
estate prized and ye prise of each particleer set down as followeth:
L s d
To houses lands and meadow .................................130 00 00
To swine ..............................................01 05 00
To one bed and furniture belonging to it ......................07 00 00
To another bed and furniture belonging to it ....................06 00 00
To pewter .....................................................01 05 00
To two Brass Kittles .........................................01 10 00
To two skilletts, a warming pan, spice mortar, box iron .........01 00 00
To two tubbs and trays and a earthen pot ........................00 10 00
To Bookes ......................................................00 08 00
To two pailes and to earthern pots ..............................00 02 00
To Barrels ......................................................00 07 00
To two wheels and a pair of cards ...............................00 05 00
To three old chests .............................................00 07 00
To four chairs ..................................................00 03 00
To two tables ...................................................00 02 00
To one Gun ......................................................01 10 00
To another Gun ..................................................00 18 00
To Linnen cloths ................................................00 15 00
To a bed ........................................................01 00 00
To Flax and Linnen Yarn .........................................00 13 00
To Sheeps wool ..................................................00 04 00
To a piece of cloth .............................................00 06 00
To wearing cloaths ..............................................08 00 00
To a sett of coopers tools ......................................01 10 00
To 3 axes, and 2 wedges 2 sithes ................................00 10 00
To one carte ....................................................00 16 00
To youks, and a chain, and hows, a spade ........................01 00 00
To plow irons and a chaine ......................................00 06 00
To one grinding stone ...........................................00 05 00
To 3 sickles, a sourd a candlestick a Tramel Tonges .............00 14 00
To 20 sheepe ....................................................05 00 00
To 4 oxen .......................................................16 00 00
To 5 cowes and other young cattle ...............................20 00 00
To one iron pott and a Looking Glass at .........................00 09 06
To money ........................................................00 07 00
To some od small things .........................................00 04 00
To powder and Bulletts ..........................................00 06 00
To acount of Debts which is to be paid out of ye Estate
To Mr John Sloos ................................................02 12 00
To Mr Isaac Chapman .............................................00 10 00
To Nathaniel Cole ..............................................10 00 00
To Thankful Boarman .............................................05 15 00
To Samuel Taylor ................................................01 10 00
To Seth Taylor James Sturgis ....................................00 11 06
To Mr Jonathan White ............................................00 06 04
To John Paddock .................................................01 12 04
To Mr. BArnabas Lothrop .........................................00 18 06Anna Sears wid Relict of Lieut. Silas Sears late of Yarmouth deceas'd made
oath to ye truth of this Invintory before Barnabas Lothrop Esq Judg of Probate and granting administration May ye 2d. 1698.
Examined and entered May ye fourth 1698.
Attest, Joseph Lothrop, Regist.
Barnstable,ss. Oct. 8,1885. A true copy of the records.
Attest, Freeman H. Lothrop, Register of Probate Court.WERDEN GEDCOM says b. 1637, Marblehead, Essex, MA
Dennis, Cape Cod, p 108, In 1680 the Town Meeting appointed the following men to watch for drift whales and claim them for the town: Paul Sears, Samuel Worden , Silas Sears and John Burgess, p 127, In 1694 the town voted to appoint Capt John Thacher, Lieut Silas Sears, Mr John Miller, and Sergt Joseph Ryder as the committee to "seat Men, women and other in the meeting house." {according to rank and wealth}
Silas married Anna Bursell, daughter of James Bursell and Emott, on 1660 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. Anna was born 1642 in Barnstable, MA. She died 4 Mar 1725/1726 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA.
S.P. May p.48 Hand notes scratched last name of Bursell. She died a widow.
Werden GEDCOM b. date
Silas and Anna had the following children:
+ 15 M i Silas Sears + 16 M ii Richard Sears + 17 F iii Hannah Sears + 18 M iv Joseph Sears Capt + 19 M v Josiah Sears + 20 F vi Elizabeth Sears 21 F vii Dorothy Sears was born 1 about 1687 in Yarmouth. She died 28 Feb 1753 and was buried in gr-st, N Dennis.
S.P. May p.49, No 21, Original book showed name as Dorrity. was adm. 2d Ch Yar, 30 Jun 1728. Jospeh Staples was adm. 2d Ch. Yar., 6 Jul 1766; perhaps a son
Dorothy married Joseph Staples on 8 Feb 1715/1716. Joseph was born 1683 in . He died 28 Feb 1753 and was buried in gr-st, N Dennis.
S.P. May p.49 was adm 2d Ch, Yar, 30 Jun 1728 d. ae 65; (Joseph Staples was
adm 2d Ch Yar., 6 Jul 1766; perhaps a son
4. Deborah Sears (Richard ) was born 1 Sep 1639 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Plymouth Colony. She died 17 Aug 1732 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA.
Dennis, Cape Cod, p 48, Deborah Sears, by family tradition, was the first female English child born here.
Deborah married Zachary Paddock, son of Robert T Paddock and Mary Palmer, on 1659 in Plymouth, Plymouth co, MA. Zachary was born 20 Mar 1636 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony. He died 1 May 1727 in Yarmouth, Barnstable co, MA.
S.P. May p.32 his obit. says b. beginning of 1640, d. ae 88. If he was born
20 Mar 1636 as stated in Ply Rec., he would have been aged 90, but perhaps
there were two Zacharys, the first dying in infancy.
"Yarmouth, co. Barnstable, 1 May 1727. This day died here Mr Zachariah
Paddock, in the 88th year of his age, was born in Plymouth in the beginning of the year 1640. He retained his reason to an uncommon degree, until his last illness, which lasted but a few days. He was married in 1659 to Mrs Deborah Sears, born in this town, and now survives him, having lived together about 68 years, and by her, God blest him with a numerous offspring, especially in the third and fourth generations, having left behind him of his own posterity, 48 grand-children and 38 great grand-children, and of this latter sort no less than 30 descendants from his second son. The old gentleman, his wife, one of his sons and his wife lived for a considerable time in a house by themselves, without any other person, when their ages computed together, amounted to over 300 years. Mr Paddock had obtained the character of a righteous man, and his widow, now near fourscore and eight years old, is well reputed for good works."["N.E. Weekly News Letter."]
Zachary and Deborah had the following children: