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Joseph Ramsden Estate 

Husband of Mayflower Descendant Rachel Eaton

From Plymouth County Court Records we learn  several interesting items about this family.  In May of 1652 [PCR 3.6] he is ordered to move his wife and family out the woods and live closer to a town.  He apparently ignored the order, for in June of 1656  the records state:  "Wheras Joseph Ramsdan hath lived long in the woods in an uncivil way . . .with his wife alone . . . the court have ordered, tht hee repaier downe to sum naighborhood betwixt this and October next, or that then his house bee pulled down [PCR 3.102]  Rosser, MB&D 1:448.

Four years before the Ramsdens were first ordered out of the woods, Rachel appeared in the courts 22, July 1648 testifying in the murder trial of Alice Bishop accused of murdering her four year old daughter.  Rachel contributed damning testimony.  Alice confessed and  was sentenced to be hanged .  Rosser, MB&D 1:448.

[MD 8.1.19+] Joseph Ramsden died 25 May, 1674, leaving no will, its place being taken by a deed of gift made 2 February, 1673/4, by which he conveyed all of his property to his "eldest son" Daniel Ramsden. In this deed no mention is made of a wife or of any. other child, and the only reason for thinking there may have been other children is the use of the term "eldest son."

On 4 June, 1674, ten days after Joseph's death, the Court ordered this deed of gift to be recorded, and one month later, on 4 July, 1674, an inventory was taken of the personal estate. The original inventory, which is preserved in the "Scrap Book" (p. 117) in the Plymouth Registry of Deeds, was used in making the copy here presented. It was recorded in Volume III, Part I, page 113, of the Plymouth Colony Wills, and by means of this record the missing parts of the original have been supplied.

Joseph Ramsden To His Son Daniel
[Plym. Col. Deeds, 3. 329]
Know all men by these prsents That I Joseph Ramsden, Inhabitant of Lakenham in New Plymouth, have Given my house land and meadow, which lyeth in Lakenham; and all that I have unto my eldest son Daniell Ramsden, as my proper heire and successor with all Rights Interests and privilidges therin, or belonging therto, To him his heires executors Adminnestrator and assignes To have and to hold for ever; and Doe engage by these prsents to keep him harmles, from all wills Gifts sales Mortgages, and all other Incomberances, that have bin or may be; whereunto I sett my hand this second Day of ffebruary 1673 one thousand six hundred seaventy and three;
In the prsence of                                                Joseph Ramsden his marke
Ephraim Tilson his Marke
Robert Ransom his Marke
    ordered by the Court to be heer Recorded June 4th 1674

Joseph Ramsden's Inventory
An Inventory of the goods & estate of Joseph Ramesden lately Deseased May 25th 74 Taken this 4th July 1674
                                                                                            £ s d