Circumstantial evidence suggests that this EZRA PERRY was closely related to others of the same name in Sandwich and probably also in Scituate, Massachusetts. Conclusive evidence regarding the precise nature of these relationships is still to be found, as will appear. The first recorded notice of EZRA PERRY in America is found in the Sandwich town records, where at a meeting 6 mo. 7, 1644 we learn that "divers persons engaged freely to pay in goods and merchantable corn" toward the repair of their Meeting House. EZRA PERRY pledged an amount of nine shillings toward this project.
After his first appearance in the records nothing more is found until his marriage: "EZRA PERRY and ELIZABETH BURGESS were married the 12 day of ffebruarie, Anno. Dom. 1651. The town records show that "Lieftenant" PERRY received four shillings pay 4 April 1657 for service in the militia. Yet he seems not to have played a prominent role in the public life of the community. However, the fact that he married the daughter of one of its chief men, and that his eldest son married a daughter of the powerful Governor of Prence, attests to his standing. His multitude of descendants represent an astonishing variety of people, including President FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT, DOUGLAS MAC ARTHUR, and the first wife of THEODORE ROOSEVELT. The next item referring to EZRA PERRY appears in the Plymouth Colony Court records, vol. 3, p.163: "June 7, 1659 EZRA PERRY is allowed by the court to be Executor to the estate of SARAH PERRY (3789), there being noe other (although she hath many friends in the Country), that claimeth any interest to the Estate, having put in securities into the court to be accountable for the Estate encase it shall bee required by any that hath better title thereto..." He presented the Inventory on the Estate of SARAH PERRY, deceased, on the following day, June 8th.
On May 29 1665, EZRA PERRY agreed to assist in building the new Sandwich meeting house. On 25 June 1666, "The court have graunted unto EZRA PERRY a smale quantity of land in the Neck" (about 30 acres)..."where Mr. EDMONDE FREEMAN, Jr. hath his land..." On 2 July 1667, " twenty acres additional graunted to EZRA PERRY...being in the puchase of Mr. EDMUND FREEMAN and not suitable for anyone beside, being there is no meadow on it".
EZRA and EDWARD PERRY were both appointed, 5 June 1671, to represent Sandwich on a committee " to view the damage done to the Indians by the horses and hogges of the English." EZRA PERRY served 3 June 1674 on the Grand Enquest and again on 5 June 1677. EZRA PERRY was appointed Constable 3 June 1679. The will of "THOMAS BURGES, Sr. of Sandwich" dated 4 April 1684, gives "to my son EZRA PERRY...two lots I bought of EDMOND FREENAN, Jr.," and directs that if a son, JOSEPH BURGES, prefers not to accept certain land under testator's conditions, then this, too, goes to "son EZRA PERRY". "Sons EZRA PERRY and JOSEPH BURGES" were both names as co-executors.
The records show that EZRA PERRY conveyed lands by deeds of gift to his sons, probably as each reached his majority and it is evident that each child was given also a "marriage portion" in furniture and livestock. This is made plain by the will, under which the three unmarried children received their shares of "movables", while the absence of mention of any real property in either will or inventory proves that the lands had been disposed of by deeds poll in the testator's lifetime.
The Will of EZRA PERRY
In the name of God Amen ye 16 Day of October 1689. I EZRA PERRY Sr., Of Monument and Town of Sandwich, being sick of body but of good and perfit memory thanks to Allmighty God and calling to Remembramce ye uncertaine estate of this Transitory Life and that all flesh must yield unto death when it shall please God to Call, do make, constitue, ordaine, and declare this my Last Will and Testatment in manner and forme following, revoking and annulling by these presents all and every testament, testaments, will and wills heretofore by me made and declared either by word or writing And this is to be taken for my Last Will and testament and none other.
And first being penitent and sorry from the bottom of my heart for my sins past, most humbly desire forgiveness for ye same. I give and comit my Soule unto Allmighty God my Saviour and Redeemer in whom and by ye merrits of Jesue Christ I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and to have full remission and forgiveness of all my sins, and that my Soule with my body at the generall day of Resurrection shall rise again with Joy and throue ye merritts of Christ's Death and Passion, possess and inherit ye kingdom of Heaven, prepared for His Elect Chosen.
And my body to be burried at ye ordinary place of burreing. And now for ye setling of my Temporal Estate and such goods and chattles and debts as it hath pleased God, far above my deserv to bestow upon me. I do order and bestow the same in manner and forme following: That is to say; All my outward moveables without doars and within doars to my truly and beloved wife as my true and undoubted and lawful executrix, to order and dispose of as she pleases and shall see cause to dispose of at her pleasure, execpting what I leave and bequethe to my well beloved son SAMUEL PERRY, that is, two stiers of two and one heifer of four years and a mare coult; one bed and furniture belonging thereto and a gune and sword and bandaleers and one iron pot.
To my well beloved son BENJAMIN PERRY, two cows, two steeres above three years old, one bed and its ffurniture, one gune and sword. To my daughter Remember tow cowes and a bed and its ffurniture, one meare and all her increase. Also to my son EZRA, one shilling. To JOHN PERRY, my son, one shilling. To DEBORAH, my daughter wife to SETH POPE one shilling. To SARAH wife of EPHRAIM SWIFT, one shilling. As witness my hand and seal day year and month first above written.
EZRA x PERRY (His Mark)
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