(William Weeks, the father of Benjamin Weeks, first married Mercy Robinson, and upon her death then married Mary Hatch. Because there are some important dates unrecorded in this sequence of events, it is impossible to determine which of William's wives was the mother of his eight children. Many researchers have attributed the Weeks children to Mary Hatch because their given names [Jonathan, Sara, etc.] are to be found in the Hatch family rather than the Robinson family. In an effort to solve this mystery Judy Anderson has devoted considerable time and energy to researching the relevant literature. She postulates that Mercy Robinson was the mother of Benjamin Weeks' children. The results of her research are presented here. Readers are invited to weigh the evidence and make thier own decision as to who bore William Weeks' children.)

The surname of Weeks, a corruption of the name Atwick/Atweeke alias Wickes or Weckes, seems to surface in the parish of Staines, County of Middlesex, which is located about fifteen miles west of London.

In 1592 we find the will of a Richard Atweecke als Weecke of "Stanes" referred to as "yeoman", which directs that his body is to be buried in the churchyard of Staines. To a son, Richard, he leaves a tenement in Thorpe and land in the parish of Thorpe, with the remainder to his son, William. To William, he leaves a tenement in Strowde in the parish of Egham, Surrey; to son John the elder, a close of meadow in Egham; to son John the younger, certain tenements and property in Staines. Sons Poole, Josias and Robert are also mentioned, and Robert is noted as the eldest son. Also mentioned are daughters Alice Weeckes, Joan Weeckes, Mrs. Robert Field and Rose Weeckes; brothers George, William and Thomas, and a sister, Susan. His wife's given name is Florence.

Robert, son of Richard, in his will of 1638 -- dated 5 August and proved 8 November of that year -- directed his executors "to pay to my son John Wickes now living in New England 200 pounds at the feast of the birth of our Lord God next coming, . . ." He also left a bequest to another son: "To my son William 300 pounds in the manner and form following, i.e. 30 pounds in three months and the remainder in three years and he to have 10 pounds paid him every half year in the mean time. And if he should die, or never come to demand the said sum then the said three hundred pounds shall be paid to my said son John Wickes and my son Robert Wickes and their children, to be equally divided" Another son is mentioned -- Thomas. Robert's wife was Sarah, surname given as Enderly in some records.

There was a John Wickes living in Plymouth in 1637. He departed to Rhode Island in 1639, then moved with his friend, Samuel Gorton, to Warwick in 1643. He remained there until his death at the hands of the Indians during King Philip's war in November of 1675. He was sixty-six years of age. There can be no doubt that there was a connection between John Wickes of Plymouth and later of Rhode Island, as in 1639 he "drew a bill of exchange on his brother, Mr. Thomas Wickes' dwelling in Stanes in the County of Middlesex . . . ."

The will of Robert Wickes of Staines implies that William was either leaving England or already gone, and that it was in doubt whether he would return to claim his inheritance. Mr. Banks , who compiled The History of Martha's Vineyard, feels it logical that one brother followed the other to the new world and that since our William Weeks was a seafaring man and did a packet business between Rhode Island and the Vineyard, there was a presumptive connection established for the two being brothers.

In a book called My Family Lines, researched and compiled by Theodore V. Dickerson, a genealogy for Silas Weeks is given, going back to Richard Atweeke. Mr. Dickerson visited England in 1986 and did extensive research while there, studying the wills and records found in the Society of Genealogists in London, England. He seemed to confirm the line leading from Robert, son of Richard, to our William, who settled in the Barnstable County area of Massachusetts.

If Mr. Dickerson is correct in his findings, the family descent would line up as follows, with birth and marriage dates being approximated for the early years.

ATWEEKE ISSUE: CHILDREN OF ? ATWEEKE AND MARGARET ?, WHO

APPARENTLY MARRIED A SMYTHE AFTER THE DEATH OF ATWEEKE:

1) Richard Atweeks als Weecke.* Found at Staines, Middlesex, England, where he is buried. Married Florence, surname thought to be Bricknell. His will was written 17 September 1592; proved 18 December 1592.

2) George Wickes, of New Windsor, Berks. Probably born at Staines. Md. Judith Wells. His will was written 13 December 1608; proved 10 January 1608.

3) Thomas Wickes.

4) William Wickes.

4) Susan Wickes. Md. a Worrell. Widow at the time of Josias Wickes' death.

RICHARD ATWEEKE

(Eleventh Great Grandparent)

Richard Atweeke als Weecke was born in Staines, Middlesex, England, and died in 1592. He married Florence, surname thought to be Bricknell by Mr. Dickerson, most likely in Staines. The children of Richard and Florence Bricknell Atweeke als Weecke were:

1) Richard Weeckes.

2) William Weeckes. Will proved 11 Aug. 1620, Stanes, Middlesex, England. William was a tanner. His wife's name was Judith Finch, daughter of William and Rose Finch of Watford.

3) John Weeckes the Elder.

4) Poole Weeckes. Will proved 28 June 1632.

5) John Weeckes the Younger.

6) Josias Weeckes. Will proved 11 September 1621.

7) Robert Weeckes*, will probated 8 November 1638. Married Sarah, surname thought to be Enderly, in England.

8) Alice Weeckes.

9) Joan Weeckes. Married Robert Field.

10) Rose Weeckes.

ROBERT WECKES/WEEKS

(Tenth Great Grandparent)

Robert Weeks wrote his will 4 August 1638. He died between that date and November 8th when it was probated. Robert married Sarah, last name thought to be Enderly by Mr. Dickerson, most likely in Staines, Middlesex, England, and to them were born the following children:

1) Robert Weeks.

2) William Weeks*, probably born in Staines, Middlesex, England; died 1688/1689 in Edgartown, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Most likely he married first in England, but the name of his wife is unknown. Thought to have married second, Mary Lynde, widow of John Butler.

3) John Weeks, born abt. 1627, probably Staines, England. Married Mary , surname unknown. He died in 1730, Massachusetts. He and Mary had five girls and five boys.

4) Thomas Weeks.

WILLIAM WEEKS, SR.

(Ninth Great Grandparent)

William Weeks first appears on the Vineyard records in 1653, in the area to be later known as Edgartown, but would have to have been there at an earlier date to have been able to participate in the division of land.

The first settlers of the town were probably assigned lots by the proprietors, one of the main ones being Gov. Thomas Mayhew. The land was sold to those desiring residence, but a transaction concerning the distribution of those deeds does not exist. It is assumed that the first allotments of the common lands took place between 1646 and 1652, and included the "Divided Lots" located south of the town bordering on the Great Pond and Katama. These lots consisted of from ten to forty acres each. It was decided that a fair division of the land would consist of 20 acres to a man, unless they already had property, then that amount would be less.

The first division of this "common" land took place 8 May 1653, and was to be meted out in twenty equal parts. William Weeks received lot eleven. Upon subsequent divisions of land between 1664 and 1669 Williams Weeks continued to receive a share.

In 1655 he was granted land "near the pines in the middle of the island." It is known that he was married at that time because of a deposition by Goodwife Weeks, dated Dec. 25, 1655, but the given name of his wife is unknown. It may be that he brought his children with, or they may have been born after arriving on colonial soil. Some time before 1658 his wife died.

William was serving in the position of constable in 1660, as he was notified by Gov. Thomas Mayhew "to levie upon the estate of John Doggett [Daggett] the elder, upon Martin's Vineyard the sum of five thousand [pounds] upon the breach of order in purchasing lands." Apparently Mr. Daggett had taken it upon himself to negotiate for lands rather than going through the proper channels, and as a result was given a hefty fine. He was unable to come up with such a large amount and appealed to the court at Plymouth. William's name was among those requesting part of the farm when Daggett could not afford to pay the fine. Later, however, upon order of the Plymouth Court, Daggett maintained his title to the land.

William's second marriage was thought to be to Mary Lynde, who was the widow of John Butler. She was born about 1629 in Dunstable, Bedford, England, and died after 1693 in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Her parents were Thomas and Mary Lynde. However, the name of his second wife has not been substantiated at the present time.

Some attribute the children to this second marriage, but since the children appear to have been born prior to 1658, it is doubtful this is the case.

As land was claimed and there came a need for expansion, the authorized persons would negotiate with the Indians, on behalf of the colony, to acquire additional property. The "Old Purchase" consisted of two large tracts of land within the town limits of Edgartown, the rights for which had been purchased from Tewantiquatick, and ran from Wintucket to the end of William Weeks' home lot.

In May of 1653 a town representative purchased part of Ogissket Neck from the Indians and it became known as "The New Purchase." This parcel was not divided until 1673.

The next division of land was the "Plain." It was the largest acquisition of land up to this time and was surveyed and divided by Richard Sarson, Thomas Bayes and Isaac Norton into forty lots. William Weeks received lot six.

William's name appears on the town records for various actions, but the most notable was in 1667. He was making a trading trip from the Vineyard and had his vessel loaded with corn, pork, hides, tobacco, wheat, vegetables, etc. He was wrecked at Quick's Hole and the vessel was seized and looted by Indians of the Elizabeth Islands. Upon giving a deposition, he stated:

One Mondaye night the 18.9.1667 about 2 or 3 a clock in the morning, by reason of the violence of the wind, my anchrs remaining home, my vessell drove a shoare in the harbor at the west end of that Iland next to Quickshole. Myselfe and company then went to warme orselves at an Indian house, the Indians saied the vessell and the goods were theirs, wee answered noe, they had noe right to it, they sent to the Sackym & to the other Indians who all came together, and while they were consulting about the vessell and goods they bid us to goe to the other howse; wee answered noe, they need not turn us out of the howse wee did not hinder them; then the Indians went out of the howse to the next howse & wee went aboard, & about an hower & halfe after wee being returned to the howse the Indians came thither allso, and toll'd us they had determined all together wee should neither have or vessell or goods, they would take them. I desired my chest of them, some of them answered noe there was sum cloth in it & they would have it, I desired my weareing cloathes whch they graunted and some provisions to eate while wee were there wch they graunted. They tooke away a suite of cloathes from me, 2 pre of shooes, all my tooles, the sachim had my saw in his hand wch I would have had, but he woulld not gyve it to me, nor my axe. They tooke away a new Hatt and a new paire of shooes from my sonne: the partyculars lost are my vessell of 15 tunns wth all due furniture belonging to it, and a soresaile to spare, my Cables and anchors I desired of them but they woulld not gyve them unto mee, my vessell was not seene to be staved when we viewed hir at low water, onely the back of hir rudder broken off; my freight aboard was 42li Indian corns, fower barrels of pork, 4 hydes, 1 firkin of buter, 1 smale caske of suett about 40r, on barrell of tobacco, about 34 or 34li cotton wool, 26 bushells meale, 8 bushells of it wheate meale, the rest Rye of Indian meale, 1 bushell wheate, 1 bushell Rye, 2 bushells turnepps, one bushell of Onions, Red cloth 6 yards, 3 or 4 yards pemistone, My leade and lyne with divers other things out of my chest and vessell. Shooes, one poayre women's shooes, two Iron potts, 3 paire Chilldrens shooes, 2 paire new Russett shooes, 40l tallow, two gunns, a greene blankett, a woman's cloake from Goody Doggett, this is the truth of the case at present to or best remembrance.

This declaration above written was attested upon oathe by William Weexe the master of saied vessell, and by his son William and by thomas the Indian who was seaman in the vessell.

Goody Doggett testifies that the Indyans did take away & wtholld the vessell & goods from the master and shee did entreate them to lett him have his vessell againe but they would not, but they allso denied the meale and meate and fetcht it away, all these were taken uppon oathe 22 november 1667 upon the Vynyard. This is the Coppy of what is under oathe Thomas Mayhew

Endorsed: "22 Novembr 1667 Declaracon of the Carriage of ye Indians about a vessell taken by them."

Endorsed further down: "A declaration about a vessell of Will Weexes taken by indians at one of the Elyzabethes Isles: Nobre 1667.

His son, William Jr., accompanied him on this excursion, and both were rescued by John Dixey who told the Governor of New York about the incident. He, in turn, wrote to Governor Mayhew to deal with the Indians and require restitution of the vessel and its stolen cargo.

Although a resident of Martha's Vineyard prior to 1671, it wasn't until December 11th of that year that William's lands were recorded on the town books. The following is a copy of his estate at that time:

The petickelers of the parcells of Land Granted unto William Weeks by the Inhabitance of Edgartown at the Great Harbour of Marthas Vinyard and Ordered to Be Recorded the Day above writen.

One whole Comonage of thirty seven Shears with all preveledges there unto Belonging as fish and whale: one house Lott of Twenty Poles Broad Bounded by Thomas Bayes on the South and Richard Sarson on the North Being Ten acres More or Less: to the Line Ten acres eleven Poles and a half Breadth Bounded by Thomas Bayes on the West Richard Sarson on the East: Land Bought of Peter Foulger one Neck Lying West to the Planting feild Being Eight acres More or Less: with one acre and a half of Meadow at Sanchacantackett one shear of Meadow; - one Shear at Feliz Neck: another Shear at Meachemus feild: one Shear at Quanomica: one Shear at Cracketuxett: One Devidant Lying at the Great Neck Being Twenty five acres more or Less Lying betwixt Thomas Peases and Mrs Blands: with one thach Lott ajoyning Part upon my said Devidant at the Neck: at Chapequideck one Lott of three acres More or Less Bounded by John Pease on the North and young Mr. Mayhew on the South: two acres of Meadow Lying on the South East Side of Chapequideok More or Less: one acre of Meadow on the EastSide of the Planting feild Lying Northward of Thomas Doggetts Be it More or Less: These all Granted By this Town and Purchased of Indians and one twenty fifth part. . . .

He also had land at Homes Hole which was not recorded until February 9, 1680. He had to have secured the property prior to that time, however, as he was appointed to a committee in Tisbury on January 16, 1678 to "view every man's lot and equalize it in the matter of swamp lands." He may have been on the committee, with Isaac Chase and Thomas Mayhew, as an impartial arbitrator. How he came into possession of these lands is not recorded. Since the six shares granted by Governor Mayhew had already been accounted for, it may be that additional land had been acquired by them and subdivided, and that Weeks obtained a portion of this. Existing records would lead credence to this assumption, as in 1681 mention of "the English lyne" is referred to, and in 1685 "the line which parts the English land from the Indian land," is mentioned.

In 1683 William sold one-sixth of the "two Southermost lots of land: 42 poles by the harbor extending to the fresh pond." In 1685 he sold "one compleat half of one third part of the two southmost lots of land upon the Neck." The English Line is thought to have run from Bass creek to the head of Tashmoo pond, and to have marked the southern boundary of the original grant to the six shareholders. All of this land eventually was purchased by Isaac Chase.

Apparently he had also secured land in Falmouth, possibly for investment purposes as Joseph Hull bought property from Jacob Perkins in Falmouth, and it was noted that Jacob had bought that property from William Weeks, Sr. 31 Oct. 1677.

Several suits against William indicate that he operated a tavern. He appeared in various business and litigation activities between 1684 and 1687. In 1688 he sold his real estate interests in Homes Hole to Isaac Chase. A final sale in December of that year seems to be his last transaction. Between that date and August 3, 1689 he died, as his widow, Mary, sold the home lot and he is referred to as being deceased. Sons William and Richard challenged her right to sell the lands as they claimed ownership. They proved their case and the court gave them possession of the property.

There is no record of a will or probation for William. His son, Samuel, had land in the Vineyard, but he sold out in 1688. So, with the death of William, the Weeks family name was no longer found on the island until 1710 when Joshua Weeks settled in Tisbury.

Issue of William Weeks and his first wife:

1) William Weeks, Jr. Md. (1st) *Mercy Robinson, daughter of Isaac Robinson and Margaret Hanford, 16 Mar. 1669. Md. (2nd) Mary Hatch, daughter of Jonathan Hatch, about 1689.

2) Elizabeth Weeks. Married John Robinson, son of Isaac Robinson and Margaret Hanford, 1 May 1667 in Barnstable. He was christened 5 April 1640 in Barnstable, Massachusetts. They removed to Connecticut in 1714.

3) Samuel Weeks. Living in Edgartown in 1681.

4) Richard Weeks.. Md. Abigail Norton. He died 26 August 1724 in Attleboro, Bristol County, Massachusetts.

5) John Weeks. He died in 1730. Md. Mary Rowley, daughter of Moses Rowley and Elizabeth Fuller, 7 July 1675/1676 in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. She was born 20 Mar. 1653, Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts.

6) Abigail Weeks. Md. Jonathan Hatch, son of Jonathan Hatch and Sarah Rowley, 4 December 1676, in Martha's Vineyard. He was born 11/17 May 1652 in Barnstable.

WILLIAM WEEKS JR.

(Eighth Great Grandparent)

In 1602 an English navigator, Bartholomew Gosnold, explored the south side of Cape Cod, and is believed to have landed at what is the present Wood's Hole. He had sailed from the English port of Falmouth, England. In recognition of his landing on the Cape, the name of the area was changed from the Indian name of Suckanessett to Falmouth in 1694.

Wood's Hole was located on the most southern and western part of Cape Cod, and was one of the Falmouth villages people were attracted to before the town was incorporated. It was named for the water passage, or "hole" between Penzance Point and Nonamesset Island, as early as 1654.

In 1677 it had been divided into lots of 60 acres. Among the names of the new owners were Thomas Ewer, William Gifford, Joseph Hull, John Jenkins, Thomas Johnson and William Weeks, "who were Quakers."

William Weeks Jr. was born about 1645 in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. He married Mercy Robinson, daughter of Isaac Robinson and Margaret Hanford, 16 March 1669 in Barnstable. She was christened 4 July 1647 in Barnstable. As far as known, they resided in Barnstable until about 1677/78, when William and his brother, John, were granted land in West Falmouth.

It has been noted in some references that William and John Weeks were Quakers. The previous notation is the second mention of William Weeks being a Quaker.

Thus far, I have found nothing which would solidly indicate that the Weeks were of the Quaker persuasion. The only records which might show they were members of that faith was the statement William, Sr. made in conjunction with the seizing of his ship by Indians, which is dated "18 . 9 . 1667", and the fact that he did not appear to have taken the loyalty oath.

Quakers did not use the names for days of the weeks or months of the year as most of the names were derived from pagan gods, and they eschewed anything with a non Christian association. Instead, they would indicate dates by writing them as: "18th day 9th mo. 1667." William's method of dating his statement may just have been coincidental, however. In addition, it was required of most individuals settling in the new world to take a loyalty oath to the King. While records concerning the taking of the loyalty oath are found for many who settled in Massachusetts, there do not seem to be records for William having taken the oath. Quakers did not believe in taking these oaths.

In the History of Barnstable County, by Simeon L. Deyo, pg. 672, it states that nearly all of the early settlers in what became West Falmouth were Quakers. It is known that William Gifford, who was among the first settlers, was a Quaker. With him were William Gifford, Jr., William Weeks and John Weeks. Because they were grouped with some of the Quaker families who were moving into the area, it may have been assumed that John and William were of the same religion, whereas it might simply have been that they championed the cause of religious freedom and moved to an area more congenial with those views, since Quaker records I have read for that area do not note participation by the Weeks family until later.

There wasn’t much leisure during these early years, and certainly little time for the children to play as they were expected to help with the many chores that needed to be accomplished. But still, loving parents seemed to find time for a few simple items that could be enjoyed by the children during the infrequent periods they could play. What toys they did have were homemade, however. Carved wooden toys were made for the small sons by their father or brothers. There were corncob or corn husk dolls with silky hair for the girls, or cloth dolls with painted eyes. Every boy’s favored possession was his pocketknife, with which he could make his own toys -- tops, bows and arrows and whistles. Living near the ocean, I’m sure they found time for boats which they used in their own mock battles.

The land of Woods Hole was divided into lots of 60 acres upland to a share, with the lots commencing at the south end of Little Neck northwest to Great Harbor. Jonathan Hatch, Sr., William Weeks, and William Gifford, among others, received a share. Each also took 10 acres in Great Neck.

In 1685 William's brother, John, took up land in East Falmouth, east of the Five-Mile River, now Dexter's River. In 1691, both he and William were granted lands on the plains.

Mercy died some time after 1687 and William is thought to have married Mary Hatch, daughter of Jonathan Hatch and Sarah Rowley, about 1689. She was born 14/16 July 1647/48 in Barnstable, Massachusetts.

There is some question whether the Weeks children are from the first or second marriage. The information I have found thus far would seem to point to their being from the first marriage, with the exception of the C. W. Swift revision of Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Families, page 467, in which it is indicated that because the children were christened with names common to the Hatch line rather than the Weeks line, he was confident that the mother of the children was Mary Hatch.

The Robinson family genealogy attributes the children to the first marriage. The Hatch family genealogy attributes them to the second marriage.

I thought I had solved the problem when I checked Vital Records of Falmouth, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, by Oliver B. Brown, pg. 128. A list of births of the children assigned them to William and Mary Weeks. Then, I got to the "Marriages" part, and a marriage between William Weeks and "Mary" Robinson was recorded, which threw me right back in the middle of the stew. Apparently "Mary" is a diminutive form of "Mercy". To cover all bases, I went to the original microfilmed records, thinking someone may have misinterpreted handwriting. However, the old record is very legibly written, and there is no mistaking the entries.

Due to the fact that the Hatch, Weeks, and Chase families lived in the same general area, and that there was intermarriage among the families, I don't find it unusual that different names would surface in the family line. However, until additional information comes to light, the precise parentage of the children is in doubt. I feel, from the sources that I have consulted, that the children were the issue of William and Mercy Robinson Weeks. For more information on the Robinson family.

The exact date of William's death is unknown, but it would have been after 1716. He was a witness to the will of Jonathan Hatch in 1710/11, in which Jonathan mentions his daughter, Mary "Weaks." It was signed in 1705 and witnessed by John and William Weeks. I would assume it was this document that pointed to Mary Hatch as being William's second wife.

William Weeks, and Mercy Robinson (or Mary Hatch) had the following children:

1) Mary Weeks, born 16 Jan. 1669/1670 Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Md. Aaron Rowley, son of Moses Rowley, 7 Jan. 1690 in Barnstable. He was born 1 May 1666 in Barnstable; died in 1743.

2) Mehitable Weeks, born 16 Oct. 1671 in Falmouth.

3) Sarah Weeks, born 6 May 1674, Falmouth. Md. Seth Stuart 14 June 1716 in Massachusetts.

4) Experience Weeks, born 24 June 1677, Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Md. Timothy Robinson, son of John Robinson, 3 May 1699, Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts.

5) Mercy Weeks, born 24 Apr. 1679, Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Died 4 Feb. 1708/1709. Md. (1st) Ebenezer Meigs, son of John Meigs, 17 Oct. 1700, Guilford, New Haven, Connecticut. Md. (2nd) Jacob Burnipus, son of Jacob, 18 Apr. 1705. (TAG, Apr. 1967.)

6) Jonathan Weeks, born 1 May 1681, Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Md. Mercy Robinson, 26 Oct. 1704. (Sandwich VR & Weeks Gen.)

7) Benjamin Weeks* (Beniamen), born 4 Apr. 1685, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Died abt. 1744/45, Carteret County, North Carolina. Md. Mary Chase, daughter of Isaac Chase and Mary Tilton, 14 January 1704 - 27 May 1704 in Vinyard Haven, Dukes County, Massachusetts. She was born about 1687. (See below)

8) Lydia Weeks, born 30 June 1687, Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. Md. William Swift, son of William & Elizabeth Swift, 9 Oct. 1707, Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts. He was of Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

BENJAMIN WEEKS

(Seventh Great Grandparent)

Benjamin Weeks was born 4 April of 1685, Falmouth, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The exact marriage date for him and Mary Chase, daughter of Isaac Chase and Mary Tilton, is somewhat in question. In the vital records of Tisbury, Massachusetts, under marriages, it lists Mary Chase and "Benjiman Weck" of Falmouth, 14 Jan. 1704 with as asterisk. The asterisk indicated that an intention had not been recorded. I assume that to mean that they announced their desire to marry at that time, but did not state a given time for that marriage to take place. Going to the original vital records of Falmouth, Massachusetts, it lists "Beniamin Wekes and Mary Chaces Intentions of marring [sic] published May the 27th 1704." The actual marriage could have occurred after that date, so it would seem we can only say they may have married in 1704, after May 27th. Mary was born 17 January 1687/88 in Tisbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts.

Mary's father, Isaac, was supposedly a Quaker, although not ultra orthodox. It was Quaker custom to appear at two monthly meetings, in succession, when contemplating marriage. The publishing of their intentions had a span of several months between, however, so maybe one or the other got cold feet, then changed their mind.

The first reference I find concerning Benjamin after their marriage is when he purchased Weepecket, a small four-acre island on the north side of Naushon. It had been originally acquired by Thomas Mayhew, who sold it to Matthew Mayhew in 1682. Mathew then sold it to Benjamin Weeks, of Falmouth, in 1714.

Benjamin's father-in-law, Isaac Chase, kept a tavern at Holmes/Home's Hole for many years. In concert with that, he operated a ferry to transport persons and their mounts from Martha's Vineyard to Falmouth. In 1716, Benjamin Weeks is referred to as the ferryman, so it might be that Isaac turned the business over to him.

By 1741, and possibly as early as the 1730s, Benjamin and Mary Chase Weeks were in Carteret County, North Carolina. Where they were between 1716 and 1722 when their son, Isaac, was christened in Plymouth, and after 1729 when their son Jabez/Jabish was christened in Plymouth, I have not been able to discover at this point.

There is no mention of the Benjamin and Mary Weeks family in the Carteret County records before 1741, when Benjamin appeared at the March term of Court for that year and made oath that he had in his family six white persons. I assume that was in addition to himself. He and Mary were also to give evidence in a court case.

By March of 1744/45 we find that Mary is a widow when she requests a summons for Thomas Person to appear at the next court so that he can prove her husband's will. At that time she also requested that the boy, John Jones, be allowed to live with her family and be taught to read. At the June term of Court in 1745, Mary, as widow of Benjamin Weeks, deceased, produced the last will and testament of the said Benjamin. A transcribed copy of the original will was sent to me by Mr. George McLoughlin, who is a descendant of Christian Weeks. It can also be found in J. Bryant Grimes North Carolina Wills and Inventories, pg. 441-442.

WILL OF BINGMAN [sic] WEEKS

In the Name of God Amen, ys. Ninth Day of November in the Year of our Lord, one thousand, Seven hundred & Forty Four. I, Bingman Weeks, of Cartwright County, in North Carolina, being of sick and weak Body, but of Perfect Mind & Memory, Thanks be given unto almighty God for it, & Knowing it is appointed for all Men Once to Die, Do make & Ordain this to be my last Will & Testament, that is to say; First of all I give my Sold [sic] into the Hands of God that gave it; & for my Body, I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the Discretion of my Executors, Nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection I shal receive the same again by the mighty Power of God that gave it; And as for Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with, I give & Dispose of the same in the Manner & form following:

Item: I give and bequeath unto my two sons, Isaac Weeks & Jabas Weeks, the Tract of Land that I now dwell on with the Marsh thereunto belonging, to be Equally divided between them and their Heirs & Assigns for Ever. That is to say, my Son Jabas to have that Part of the Land that the Plantation & Houses is on, and Isaac to have the other Part with half the Marsh.

Item: I give to my Son, Theoflis Weaks, one Shilling, Sterling.

Item: I give to my Son, Archelas, One Shilling, Sterling.

Item: I give to my Son, Bingman, One Shilling, Sterling.

Item: I give to my Daughter, Lidde Witton, One Shilling, Sterling.

Item: I give to my Dafter, Mary Williams, One Shilling, Sterling.

Item: I give unto my Dafter, Christian Weake, One Shilling, Sterling.

Item: I give to my Dafter, Thankful Hicks, One Shilling Sterling.

Item: my Will & Desire is for my Wife to have the Plantation in her Lifetime.

Item: I give to my Dafter, Elizabeth Weake, One Shilling.

Item: my Will and Desire is that my two Sons, Isaac & Jabas, do Each of them pay unto my Grand Son, Edward Weaks, the Sum of Ten Pounds, current money of Carolina, & upon Failure thereof to be Dispossessed of the Land before given.

Item: I give unto my well beloved wife, Mary Weake, Two Beds & Furniture, Two Cows & Horses, and all other Household Goods & all the Remaining Part of my Estate that is not yet given, During her Widowhood, She paying all my Lawful Debts. I also Depute and apoint my sd. Wife to be my whole & sole Executor of this my last Will & Testament, Ratifying and alowing this & no other to be my last Will & Testament, Disanulling all other Will formarly by me made.

In Testimony hereunto I have Set my Hand & Seal the year and date above written.

His Mark Signed: Bingman (B) Weaks

Signed, Sealed in the Presence of us,

Jehosaphat Holland

Francis Burns

his

Thomas T. Person

mark

Carteret County, North Carolina.

June Court, 1745.

These may certify that Thomas Person, one of the Evidences to the Within Will, in open Court made Oath that he Saw Benjamin Weeks, Decd., Sign & Seal the same: and that he also saw Jehosaphat Holland & Francis Burns, Evidence the same, And Mary Weekes, Widow, hath taken the Oath of an Executrix, and by the Court admitted to Record. Dated at the Court House the 6th Day of June, Anno Domini, 1745.

Teee. Geor. Read, Clk. Cur.

Recorded in Will Book 6, pg. 62.

Mary is still living in 1749, as she and her son, Isaac, are to give evidence for a suit against William Gray, who was accused of taking a hog.

At the present time, a death date for Mary is not known.

With the exception of Isaac, Elizabeth and Jabez, the dates for the children are estimates, and they could have been born before or after the years indicated. Benjamin and Mary Chase Weeks had the following children, most of whom were probably born in Tisbury or Falmouth, Massachusetts:

1) Mary Weeks, born abt. 1710, Massachusetts. Md. Weston Williams.

2) Lida Weeks, born abt. 1712. Md. a Witton. Mr. Dickerson indicates that she married Thomas Whitten. (See footnote)

3) Archelas Weeks, born abt. 1714.

4) Theophilus Weeks, born abt. 1716. D. 1772, Swansboro, NC. Married Grace Green, a widow. She was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts, died in Onslow County, NC.

5) Thankful Weeks*, born abt. 1720, Massachusetts. Died abt. 1785, Craven County, North Carolina. Md. Thomas Hicks, most likely a son of Thomas and Abigail Bliffin Hicks, formerly of Swansea, Massachusetts. Mr. Dickerson indicates that Thankful married Thomas in Plymouth, Massachusetts. (See the Hicks Family History).

6) Isaac Weeks, christened 21 July 1722, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Md. Sarah, surname unknown. Living in Carteret County, NC by 1741. Gave evidence in a suit of the King against a Thomas Hicks in 1749. Thomas, a planter, had acknowledged himself indebted to the King for the sum of ten pounds during the March term of court 1747. This must be one of the other Thomases in the area, as the Thomas Thankful married was a cooper.

7) Elizabeth Weeks, christened 14 Feb. 1724/25, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

8) Benjamin Weeks, born abt. 1726, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

9) Jabish [Jabez] Weeks, christened 4 Aug. 1729, Plymouth, Mass. Md. Mary Rhodes abt. 1745. He is mentioned in the June term of court, 1751.

10) Christian Weeks, born bef. 1744. D. 21 Jan 1806, Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Md. Abel Goffigon. He was born 1747 in Northampton Co., Virginia; died before 1794 in St. Tammany Parish.

SOURCES

1 Charles Edward Banks. The History of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes Co., Massachusetts, Vol. II,, Dukes Co. Historical Society: 1966, pg. 118-119.

2 Charles Edward Banks, pg. 119.

3 Ibid.

4 Banks, Charles Edward. The History of Martha's Vineyard. Dukes County Historical Soc.: Edgartown, 1966, pg. 26. The first known division of common land was made in 1653 and there were 20 proprietors to participate in the allotment, including William Weeks.

5 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. II, pg. 25.

6 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. II, pg. 26 -- Edgartown Records, Vol. I, pg. 172; pg. 28 -- Edgartown Records, I, 156; pg. 30 --Edgartown Records, I, 147.

7 Banks, pg. 120.

8 Edwards, pg. 3.

9 Martha's Vineyard, although Martin's Vineyard seems to be the earlier naming of the area.

10 Charles Edward Banks, The History of Martha's Vineyard, "The Annals of Oak Bluffs", Vol. I, pg. 12 -- Edgartown Record, I, 130.]

11 Edwards, pg. 19 -- footnote.

12 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. II, pg. 32.

13 Banks, History of Martha's Vineyard -- Annals of Edgartown -- Vol. II, pg. 32.

14 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol., II, pg. 33.

15 William Hopple Edwards, Genealogical & Ancestral Notes, Vol. 2 of Series I & Series I-A, Meridian, Conn., 1957, pg. Appendix E -- Excerpts from "Early History of Nashon Island" by Amelia Forbes Emerson -- pg. 202.

16 Banks, pg. 121.

17 Banks, The History of Martha's Vineyard - "Annals of Edgartown", pg. 121.

18 "Hole" refers to a small inlet of water which would shelter the boats. "Homes" originally meant an old man. Literal meaning of the term "Homes Hole" would be old man's hole. It was until many years later that the name was referred to as "Holmes Hole" after a family who had settled in the area around 1670 - Annals of Tisbury -- pgs. 3-18 off the internet.

19 Banks, pg. 121.

20 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. II, pg. 16 -- Deed of Dukes Co., Mass, Bk. III, pg. 314.

21 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. II, pg. 16 -- Deed of Dukes Co., Mass., Bk. I, pg. 78.

22 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. II, pg. 16 -- Deed of Dukes Co., Mass, Bk. I, pg. 73.

23 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. II, pg. 16.

24 Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Families. . F. B. & F. P. Goss Publishers & Printers: Barnstable, Mass., pg. 2, Vol. II -- Revised by C. F. Swift 1979.

25 Banks, pg. 122.

26 Banks, pg. 122.

27 The original vital records of Falmouth, MA, found in the Barnstable County Registry Bldg. [FHL Film #0904590] notes: "Mm. Weckes & Mary Robinson were mared the 18 day of March in the yere 1669." Notice his wife is listed as "Mary" rather than "Mercy."

28 Clarence Almon Torrey. New England Marriages Prior to 1700, pg. 792.

29 In the will of Mary's father, Jonathan Hatch, signed in 1705 and probated in 1710/11, he mentions his daughter Mary Weeks. Witnessing the will are John and William Weeks. It would appear that this notation is what has given rise to the assumption that William Weeks was married a second time to Mary Hatch. [Barnstable County Probate Court -- FHL Film #0904596].

30 Brownson, Held & Norton, FHL Film #0889265 Genealogical Notes of Cape Cod Families,(no page numbers).

31 Edwards, Appendix B - Excerpts from The Robinsons & Their Kinfolk, pg. 5.

32 Brownson, Held & Norton.

33 Brownson, Held & Norton.

34 Year from Banks, History of Martha's Vineyard, pg. 496; month and day from LDS Ancestral File, Family History Library, SLC, UT.

35 Vital Records of Falmouth, Massachusetts, film #0904590, pg. 130.

36 Brownson, Held & Norton and Edwards, Series I, Bk. 2, pgs. 192-195.

37 Torrey, pg. 352.

38 FHL Film #0889265 - Brownson, Held & Norton.

39 Mary Lou Smith, ed. The Book of Falmouth, Falmouth Historical Commission: Falmouth, Mass., 1988, pg. 474.

40 FHL Film #0904590 - Barnstable County Registry Building at Falmouth Massachusetts Vital Records, pg. 127.

41 Roberts, pg. 598.

42 Deyo, pg. 672.

43 Theodore Geoffrey, Suckanesset: A History of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Falmouth Publishing Company, Inc., 1930, pg. 26.

44 Deyo, pg. 665.

45 Deyo, pg. 634.

46 Edwards - Genealogical and Ancestral Notes, Series I, pg. 189 - gives Mercy's death date as circa 1740.

47 Torrey, pg. 792.

48 Brownson, Lydia B., Held, Grace W. and Norton, Doris V. Genealogy of Cape Cod Families, film #0889261 and Film #1018892 -- Charles Edson Robinson, Robinson Genealogy,. Vol. One, pg. 36 -- (In the reference it is stated that Mercy died at 93 years of age. However, the marriage year is noted as 1662. If there was an error in one date, there may have been an error in another.)

49 Microfilm of the original records located at the Barnstable County Registry Building, Falmouth Massachusetts Vital Records, Film #0904590.

50 Probate Records of Barnstable, film #0904598, Vol. 1, pg. 194, case #7082 - Family History Library.

51 Noted in the vital records of Falmouth, Massachusetts as "Mrcy".

52 FHL Film #0904590 - Vital Records of Falmouth, MA, pg. 127. The way of reckoning the calendar was different at this time. Therefore, two different year dates are given on most births. The first year would be under the reckoning of the old calendar year -- February to February, and the second year according to our reckoning of time now. Although it may appear that the first child was born before William and Mercy were married, it was actually a good nine months later.

53 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 124. Same is original records, FHL Film #0904590, pg. 124.

54 Torrey, pg. 640.

55 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 127.

56 FHL Film #0904590, pg. 127.

57 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 127.

58 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 127.

59 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 128.

60 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 127.

61 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 128.

62 Oliver B. Brown. Vital Records of Falmouth Massachusetts to Year 1850, pg. 216.

63 Falmouth, Massachusetts Vital Records, film #0904590, pg. 128.

64 First date found in Vital Records of Tisbury, MA published by the New England Genealogical Society in 1910, pg. 119. Second date found in the Vital Records of Falmouth, Massauchsetts - original filming of records, FHL Film #0904590, pg. 155.

65 FHL Film # 0904590 - Falmouth Co., MA Vital Records, pg. 155. "Intentions of marring [sic] published."

66 FHL Film #0904590, pg. 128.

67 Falmouth, Barnstable County, Massachusetts Vital Records [microfilm of the book at the Registry Building], film #0904590, pg. 155; also Swift Gen. film #1004003.

68 Vital Records of Falmouth Massachusetts, film # 0904590, pg. 155.

69 Vital Records of Tisbury, Massachusetts, New England Genealogical Society: Boston, Mass., 1910, pg. 119.

70 Film #0904590 - Barnstable County Registry Bldg., Falmouth Mass, Vital Record, pg. 155.

71 Vital Records of Tisbury, Massachusetts, New England Genealogical Society: Boston, Mass., 1910, pg. 26 -- under marriages it lists Mary & Benjiman Weck of Falmouth, 14 Jan. 1704, intention not recorded. They are then listed in the Vital Records of Falmouth, Massachusetts, microfilm of written recording, pg. 155, "Beniamin Wekes and Mary Chaces - intentions of marring published May the 27th 1704." I assume the first date recorded in Tisbury must have been equivalent of getting a license, and the second date, found in the Falmouth records, possibly the actual marriage date.

72 Vital Records of Tisbury, MA, pgs. 25 & 26 for Chase Family.

73 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. 2, "Annals of Gosnold", pg. 20.

74 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. I, pg. 452 -- the following action was taken in 1703: "Leift Isaac Chase is appoynted by this Courte to keepe a publike fery for the transporting of man and beast from Marthas Vineyard to Sickanesset alias falmouth and the fees allowed for said ferriage viz: -- six shillings for a man and a hors or three shillings for each person or horse forew'd to s'd Suckanesset: but if he doth cary but one hors over sd ferriage that he shall have the sume of five shillings."

75 History of Martha's Vineyard, Vol. I, pg. 452 -- Barnstable Deed, III, 148.

76 Sanders, Rebecca W. Early Carteret Court Minutes 1747-1764. Private Published, Beaufort, North Carolina, 2 Vols., Vol. 1, pg. 70.

77 Rebecca W. Sanders, Early Carteret Court Minutes 1723-1747. Privately Published: Beaufort, NC 1991, pg. 71: By consent of John Starkey and Enock Ward, John Gillet, John Dugley, John Roberts, Benjamin Weeks and Mary Weeks were to give evidences in the case of Williamson and Ward. They were to be sworn and affidavits taken.

78 Sanders, pg. 101.

79 Sanders, pg. 103.

80 Undoubtedly the given name of "Bingman" and the county of "Cartwright" were an error in transcription of the original will. Some of the old writing was very difficult to decipher. Also, there is no Cartwright County in North Carolina.

81 Sanders, Vol. 2 - 1747-1764, pg. 22.

82 NOTE: I am still searching the court records for Carteret and may find something relating to her death.

83 P. W. Fisher, One Dozen Pre-Revolutionary Ward Families of Eastern North Carolina and some of Their Descendants, New Bern Historical Soc. Foundation, Inc.: New Bern, NC, pg. 350.

84 Oliver B. Brown, Vital Records of Falmouth Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1976, pg. 216 - Marriages: There is a marriage between a Lydia Weeks and a Thomas Whitten of Plymtown, 1 June 1736. Since I don't pick up Benjamin Weeks until after that date in North Carolina, this may be the marriage of his daughter "Lida" to a "Witton."

85 Records of James McLoughlin, a descendant. Copies in my possession.

86 Jim McLoughlin, a descendant, via correspondence 1997, and via the Weeks Family Registry web page on the internet.

87 Will of Thankful Hicks. Found in Duplin County, NC. See Hicks Family History.

88 Sherman, Ruth Wilder. Vital Records of Plymouth, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Picton Press: Camden, Maine, 1993, pg. 70.

89 Sanders, Vol. 1, pg. 22.

90 Sanders, Vol. 1, pg. 3.

91 Sherman, Ruth Wilder. Vital Records of Plymouth, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Picton Press: Camden, Maine, 1993, pg. 70.

92 Sherman, Ruth Wilder. Vital Records of Plymouth, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Picton Press: Camden, Maine, 1993, pg. 70.