Descendants of Thomas Chillingworth

The surname Chillingsworth is very unique; there are no others of this name in early New England. Our Chillingsworth lineage relates to one Thomas Chillingsworth who was born ca 1612 in England. His birthplace and ancestry is unknown. Thomas died, at Marshfield, Ma., shortly before 01 March 1653 at which time the administration of his estate was granted to his wife, Joanna (–) Chillingsworth. Thomas married, at Marshfield, Ma ca 1644, Joanna (–) whose surname, place of birth, and ancestry is unknown. Widow Joanna (–) Chillingsworth remarried, in Marshfield on 17 May 1654, Thomas Doggett who had two previous marriages. There are those who say that Widow Joanna and Thomas Doggett had a son named Thomas , born 1658, died 1726 who married Elizabeth House. Joanna (–) Chillingsworth Doggett died in Marshfield on 04 Sept.1684 and her second husband, Thomas Doggett died in 1692.

Thomas Chillingsworth was a shoemaker by trade. We first hear of him in Lynn, Ma. in 1637. He was a close associate of John Dingley; some say there was a perhaps some sort of family relationship. Thomas removed from Lynn to Sandwich, Ma. and eventually to Marshfield,Ma. The timing of his moving was almost the same as that of the aboved mentioned JohnDingley. Thomas was in Marshfield in 1640 when the town was incorporated. He became a freeman in Marshfield on 05 June 1644. Thomas, even though he was physically infirm, became a prominent citizen; he was a town officer and he became a large landowner. Thomas’s Bible, printed in 1589, has been preserved.

Thomas and Joanna (–) Chillingsworth had four children all of whom were daughters. As such the family surname did not carry forth. Three of the daughters, Sarah, Mary, and Mehitable, did marry and have families. Daughter Elizabeth died in her youth on 28 Sept. 1655.

References:PH7:278; PH17:V1:379; PH67:388-389; PH76:8,304; PH97:98; FH18:50,72; FH134: A57,A61; NEHGR:V57:256.

Mary Chillingsworth, the second of the four daughters of Thomas and Joanna (–) Chillingsworth, was born ca 1646 and died 25 Sept. 1702, both in Marshfirld, Ma. She married, in1663 at Marshfield, Ma., Deacon John Foster who was born 07 October 1642 and died 13 June 1732, both in Marshfield, Ma. He was the son of Sgt. Thomas and Elizabeth (–) Foster.

References: PH7:278; PH17:V1:379; PH78:366; PH174:112; FH18:50,72; FH134:A57:1-2; FH137:1-7; NEHGR:V26:394-397.