Descendants of Philip Fowler

Our Fowler lineage of Ipswich, Ma. relates to Philip Fowler who was born, per most documentation, ca 1591/1598 at Marlborough, Wiltshire, England and died 24 June 1679 at Ipswich, Ma. He was noted as being “about 88 years of age” at the time of his death which would make his birth yaer about 1591/1592. He married, in 1615 at Marlborough, Wilts., Mary Winsley who was born ca 159x at Marlborough, Wilts. and died 30 August 1659 at Ipswich, Ma. Her ancestry and place of birth is unknown; she was probably the sister of Samuel Winsley of Salem and Salisbury, Ma. Our Philip, following the death of his wife, Mary, married, as his second wife in 1659/60, the widow Mary Machias? Norton, widow of George Norton.

Little is known of Philip Fowler’s ancestry or early life in England. He took the oath of allegiance at Southampton, England on 24March 1634 and shortly afterwards he came to New England on the ship Mary and John, John Sayres-Master. Also on this ship was Philip’s wife, Mary, his children Mary, Samuel, Hester, Joseph, and Thomas plus his daughter Margery with her husband Christopher Osgood. Of interest is that there was no child “Philip” of which there is more to come. Philip with his family, were some of the earliest inhabitants of Ipswich, Ma where Philip remained the rest of his life. He took the freeman’s oath in Boston on 03 September 1634. In 1635, Philip was granted a one acre house lot in the cross street called “meeting house lane”; his lot was bounded by John Gage’s house lot on the southeast, John Tuttle on the southwest, and Thomas Scott’s house lot on the northwest. Christopher Osgood, in his will dated 09 April 1650, appointed his father “Philip Fowler” as overseer of his will. Philip Fowler was a cloth maker by trade; in February of 1648, seven men contracted with Philip Fowler to build a chimney at the “watch house”. Perhaps our Philip took on odd jobs to supplement his income. His name is on a list of those that have shares in Palm Island, Castle Neck, and Hog Island. He was evidently a God fearing and responsible citizen for we see no court records of any consequence. In the Ipswich Quarterly Court Records of September 1678 we find one interesting item. “Abraham Perkins, Henry Bennet, and Thomas Knowlton testified that Philip Foster came to Mr. Atkinson, with a law book in his hand, and said if he, Mr. Atkinson, would give him a shilling in money, he, Philip, would save him ten pounds. Mr. Atkinson was not willing at first, yet upon discourse, gave it to him or laid it down upon the table. Philip took it up and went the law book in his hand to the jury..Sworn in court. Philip Fowler, upon complaint was fined”. Was this joke or a small scam?

Philip Fowler died intestate and the administration of his estate was granted to his grandchild, Philip Fowler, the son of Joseph and Martha Kimball Fowler. In 1651 “Philip Fowler the elder, of Ipswich, Ma, in the presence of Joseph, his son, and Martha his wife, did adopt as his son, Philip, the son of the said Joseph and Martha”. In his marriage contract with Widow Mary Norton, 1659/ 1650, he, Philip elder, spoke of “my son Philip” not of age and “my children”. In 1668 he mentioned his wife, deeded land to his “grandchild” Philip Fowler, and mentioned the latters brothers Joseph and John. Just before his death, Philip the elder, spoke of his grandchild Philip “as with me and doing my business for me” and gave him his “dwelling house and lands”. It would seem that Philip and Mary Winsley Foster might themselves had a child Philip who died very young and who was not recorded. Philip, the elder, and his wife Mary had six known and documented children. They were all born in England except Thomas who was born about 1636 which was after Philip, wife Mary, and the other children came to New England on the Mary and John in 1634. All of these children reached adulthood, married, and had families.

References:PH7:280; PH19:162-163; PH211:108-109,237; PH217:110,112; PH222:V7:94,265; FH122:255-257

Margery/Margaret Fowler, daughter and first child of Philip and Mary Winsley Fowler, was born

25 May 1615 at Marlborough, Wilts. and died after 25 December1682 at Nantucket, Ma. She married, as her first husband on 28 July 1633 at Marlborough, Wilts., England, Christopher Osgood who was born ca 160x at Salisbury, Wilts. and died 10 August 1650 at Andover, Ma. He was the son of Christopher and Elizabeth Brockwell Osgood of Salisbury, Wilts. Margery Fowler married, as her second husband in 1651 at Salisbury, Ma., Thomas Rowell who died in 1662. Margery Fowler married, as her third husband after 1662 and prior to 1670 at Salisbury, Ma., Thomas Coleman who died 1682. Finally, Margery Fowler married, as her fourth husband on 25 December 1682 at Nantucket, Ma., Thomas Osborn.

References:PH7:547; PH19:162; PH72:237-238; PH211:237; PH217:112; FH7:2nd:V2:814-820: FH122:255-257