Descendants of John Maxfield
of Salisbury, Massachusetts
Fourth Generation

TIMOTHY4 MAXFIELD (Timothy3-2, John1) was born at Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, on 8 January 1745/6[1] a son of Timothy Maxfield and his wife Patience Drinkwater. He died at Dartmouth on 30 August 1829.[2] He married at Dartmouth on 28 August 1774 WEALTHY KEMPTON.[3] She was born at Dartmouth on 20 March 1756,[4] a daughter of Ephraim Kempton and his wife Anna Nye. She died at New Bedford, Bristol County, on 18 March 1848.[5]

Timothy was described as a cooper in his early property transactions before his marriage, but was engaged in agriculture according to the 1820 census. They lived in Dartmouth and raised their family there. Timothy participated in the following transfers of property:

The 1798 tax census had two entries for Timothy Maxfield in Dartmouth. It is not clear if both are for this Timothy, or if his father Timothy was still living and accounts for one. One entry stated Timothy Maxfield had one dwelling and 80 perches of land, valued at $250. The other entry stated Timothy Maxfield had two dwellings valued at $100 and 60 acres valued at $800.[10]

Timothy Maxfield and Wealthy Kempton published at Dartmouth on 8 July 1774 their intentions to marry,[11] and were married there on 28 August of that year. They had four children, who were named in their wills, although census records indicated other children in the home. Perhaps they had nieces and nephews so far unidentified in their home. Whatever the explanation, Timothy and Wealthy raised several children in addition to their four known children. From 1790 through 1840 the federal censuses only name the head of household and give numbers in various age and sex categories. The records for Timothy Maxfield of Dartmouth and his widow Wealthy of New Bedford follow, with suggestions for the identities of each person indicated:[12]

1790
male 16+ Timothy, 44
male 16- Warren, 12
female Wealthy, 34
female Mary, 11
female Lydia
female Wealthy, 8
1800
male 45+ Timothy, 54
female 26-44 Wealthy, 44
female 16-26 Mary, 21
female 16-26 Lydia
female 16-26 Wealthy, 10
female 10-16 unidentified person A
male 10- unidentified person B
female 10- unidentified person C
1810
male 45+ Timothy, 64
female 45+ Wealthy, 54
female 26-44 Mary, 31
male 10-15 unidentified person B
female 10-15 unidentified person C
1820
male 45+ Timothy, 74
female 45+ Wealthy, 64
female 26-44 Mary, 41
male 16-25 unidentified person B
female 16-25 unidentified person C
1830
female 70-79 Wealthy, 74
female 50-59 Mary, 51
female 20-29 unidentified person D
female 20-29 unidentified person E
1840
female 80-89 Wealthy, 84
female 60-69 Mary, 61
female 15-19 great granddaughter Mary Weston, 13

When Timothy Maxfield wrote his will, on 6 April 1825,[13] he described himself as "of New Bedford," and made reference to "my present dwelling house, situated in New Bedford aforesaid near the North Baptist Meeting house in the village of Bedford," which he left half to his wife and half to their daughter Mary. The text of Timothy Maxfield's will follows.

Timothy Maxfield's Will

In the name of God Amen. I Timothy Maxfield of New Bedford in the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Yeoman, being aged and infirm in body, but of sound disposing mind and memory (praised be God for the same) and desirous to settle my worldly affairs whilst I have the capacity so to do, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.--viz.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, her heirs and assigns forever, one half of my present dwelling house, situated in New Bedford aforesaid near the North Baptist Meeting house in the village of Bedford.

I give to my son Warren Maxfield one dollar; I give to my daughters Lidia Weston and Welthy Taber one dollar each.

I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Welthy Maxfield her heirs and assigns forever all my residuary property both real and personal of which I may be possessed at the time of my decease, situated where it may be. And I hereby appoint David Kempton 2d of said New Bedford, executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five.

Timothy died at Dartmouth on 10 August 1829, and his will was proved on 27 October of that year.[14] Wealthy Maxfield wrote her will on 8 September 1847.[15] She left her estate to their daughter Mary, and made mention of her four children and her great-granddaughter Mary Ann Weston. A transcription of her will follows:

Wealthy Maxfield's Will

Know all men by these presents, that I, Wealthy Maxfield of New Bedford in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, widow, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made--

First. Having heretofore given to my son Warren Maxfield, now deceased, his just share of my Estate, I now give nothing to his children.

Secondly. I do give, bequeath and devise to my daughter Mary Maxfield all Estate, both Real and Personal of which I may die seized and possessed, to have and to hold the same to her and her heirs and assigns forever. Or if my said daughter Mary Maxfield shall die before I do, then and in such case, I do give, devise and bequeath to my daughters Lydia Western and Wealthy Taber, and to my great grand daughter Mary Ann Western, all Estate, both Real and Personal of which I may die seized and possessed, to have and to hold in equal proportion to them, their heirs and assigns forever.

Thirdly, I do nominate and appoint my said daughter Mary Maxfield Executrix of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand seal this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-seven.

Wealthy Maxfield died at New Bedford on 18 March 1848; her will was proved on 6 June of that year.[16]

Some explanation would be helpful to understand the connection of this Maxfield family with persons surnamed Weston and Durfee, with whom their lives are intertwined. The line can be summarized as follows:

  1. Lydia Maxfield, daughter of Timothy and Wealthy, married in 1800 John Weston.

  2. Thomas Weston, son of John and Lydia, no birth record found; he died probably before 1840, as his name does not appear in the census of that year, more probably before 1842 when his wife remarried. He married at New Bedford on 20 April 1823 Eliza Howard,[17] who was born at Newport, Rhode Island, on February-March 1804, and died at New Bedford on 9 January 1892.[18] She married as her second husband at New Bedford on 16 October 1842 John M. Weaver.[19]

  3. Mary Ann Weston, daughter of Thomas and Eliza, was born at New Bedford on 17 April 1827 and died there on 31 July 1884.[20] She married at New Bedford on 27 October 1847 Richard T. Durfee,[21] who was born at Massachusetts about 1825-6[22] and died at New Bedford on 25 June 1906.[23]

  4. Mary Holmes Durfee, daughter of Richard and Mary Ann, was born at New Bedford on 30 November 1848.[24]

Daughter Mary Maxfield, unmarried, continued to live in New Bedford. Great granddaughter Mary Weston married Richard Durfee in 1847, and this young family lived with Mary Maxfield, sometimes called "Polly." The 1850 Census reported them as follows:[25]

Line Name Age Sex Occupation R.E. Birthplace Other
14. Richard S. Durfee 24 M house carpenter MA
15. Mary A. Durfee 23 F MA
16. Mary H. Durfee 1 F MA
17. Polly Maxfield 70 F $2100 MA

The 1855 Massachusetts state census reported the Durfee-Maxfield household at New Bedford. Richard Durfee, housewrite, and Mary Durfee were in their 20s. Children present were Mary Durfee, between 5 and 10, and Richard and Caroline Durfee, under 5. Also in the household was Polly Maxfield, in her 60s, and Mary M. Maxfield, between 15 and 20.[26] This last-named Mary was probably a grand-niece of Polly, daughter of brother Warren's son Benjamin.

The 1860 census reported this family as follows:[27]

Line Name Age Sex Occupation R.E. P.E. Birthplace
18. Richard T. Durfee 33 M housewright $100 MA
19. Mary A. H. Durfee 33 F MA
20. Mary H. Durfee 12 F (school) MA
21. Benjamin F. Durfee 2 M MA
22. Mary Maxfield 83 F $1000 MA

Mary Maxfield wrote her will on 29 October 1859,[28] in which she left her estate to her grand-niece Mary Ann Durfee, except for her pew at Middle Street Christian Church, which she left to her grandniece's daughter Mary Holmes Durfee. The full text of Mary's will follows:

Mary Maxfield's Will

Know all men by these presents that I Mary Maxfield of New Bedford in the County of Bristol being in sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

First. I give and bequeath to Mary Ann Durfee, wife of Richard T. Durfee, to her sole use and benefit free from the control of said husband all of my property of every name and nature, both real and personal, to her and her heirs forever--Except my pew in the Middle Street Christian Church in New Bedford, which pew I give to Mary Holmes Durfee, daughter of said Mary Ann.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, in the presence of the witnesses named below this twenty-ninth day of October in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred fifty-nine.
Mary Maxfield . . .

Mary Maxfield died at New Bedford on 10 March 1864.[29]

Timothy Maxfield and his wife Wealthy Kempton had the following children:

  1. LYDIA5 MAXFIELD b. betw. 1774 and 1780;[30] d. betw. 1847and 1855;[31] m (int. at Dartmouth on 11 October 1800). at New Bedford on 30 October 1800 JOHN WESTON Jr..[32] b. at New Bedford on 21 November 1778, d. at Fairhaven, Bristol County, on 28 January 1855.[33] Child of John and Lydia:
    1. Thomas Weston m. at New Bedford on 20 April 1823 Eliza Howard b. at Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island about February-March 1804, d. at Ndew Bedford on 9 January 1892; she m(2). at New Bedford on 16 October 1842 John N. Weaver. Thomas and Eliza had trhe following child:
      1. Mary Ann Weston b. at New Bedford on 17 April 1827, do there on 31 July 1844; m. there on 27 October 1847 Richard T. Durfee b. at Massachusetts about 1825-6, d. at New Bedford on 25 June 1906. Richard and Mary Ann had the following child:
        1. Mary Holmes Durfee b. at New Bedford on 30 November 1848.
  2. WARREN5 MAXFIELD b. at Dartmouth on 8 February 1878.
  3. MARY5 MAXFIELD b. at Dartmouth on 4 March 1779; d. at New Bedford on 10 March 1864.[34]
  4. WEALTHY5 MAXFIELD b. at Dartmouth on 1 January 1782; d. at Fairhaven on 6 May 1859;[35] m (int. at New Bedford on 16 August 1804[36]). at Dartmouth on 16 September 1804 AMOS TABER,[37] b. at New Bedford, on 1782, d. at Fairhaven on 24 November 1816.[38]

NOTES

1Vital Records of Dartmouth, Massachusetts: to the Year 1850 (Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1929, 1929, 1930), v. 1, p. 159.
2Anne Borden Harding, George Soule, Mayflower Families through Five Generations, 3 (Plymouth, Massachusetts: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1980), 365.
3Vital Records of Dartmouth, v. 2, p. 314.
4Acushnet Cemetery, Acushnet, Bristol County, Massachusetts, " database, Find a Grave (findagrave.com : 2 December 2012), Wealthy Kempton Maxfield; Created by: Carmella Adams.
5Massachusetts Archives, "Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors (americanancestors.org : accessed 14 September 2017), vol. 32, p. 57, e. 251, New Bedford Deaths, 1847-8, Wealthy Maxfield.
6Bristol County, Massachusetts, Deeds, 55:344, discharge by Jemima Hoxie to Timothy Maxfield, 1772, accessed 30 June 2013; Bristol County Court House, Taunton, Massachusetts (familysearch.org).
7Bristol County, Massachusetts, Deeds, 55:345; sale from Jonathan Sherman to Timothy Maxfield, 1772
8Bristol County, Massachusetts, Deeds, 85:258; sale from Timothy and Welthy Maxfield to Warren Maxfield, 1805.
9Bristol County, Massachusetts, Deeds, 90:99; sale from Joseph Gifford and Gardner Potter to Timothy Maxfield, 1807.
10"Massachusetts and Maine Direct Tax Census of 1798," digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors (americanancestors.org : accessed 2014), 12:14,61.
11Elisha Leonard, "Leonard Papers," New Bedford Free Public Library, New Bedford, Massachusetts.
12First Census of the United States: 1790, population, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 4, p. 441, Timothy Maxfield Jr.; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 14 September 2012); NARA microfilm publication M637; Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Second Census of the United States: 1800, population, Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 19, p. 661, Timothy Maxfield; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 7 February 2018); NARA microfilm publication M32; Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Third Census of the United States: 1810, population, Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 17, p. 285, Timo. Maxfield; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2012); NARA microfilm publication M252; Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Fourth Census of the United States: 1820, population, Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 47, p. 575, Timothy Maxfield; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 18 September 2012); NARA microfilm publication M33, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Fifth Census of the United States: 1830, population, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 59, p. 309, Wealthy Maxfield; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 21 September 2012); NARA microfilm publication M19; Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Sixth Census of the United States: 1840, population, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 178, p. 411, Wealthy Maxfield; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 25 September 2012); NARA microfilm publication M704, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
13Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate Court, v. 68, pp. 44-45, Will of Timothy Maxfield; Bristol County Court House, Taunton, Massachusetts
14Ibid.
15Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate Court, v. 92, pp. 119-20; Will of Wealthy Maxfield.
16Ibid.
17Vital Records of New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the year 1850 (Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1932. 1932, 1941), v. 2, p. 586.
18"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, v. 427, p. 208, e. 46; Deaths, Eliza P. Weaver.
19"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, v. 2, p. 103, inserted paper; Marriage, Weaver-Weston.
20"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, v. 35, p. 138, e. 372; Deaths, Mary Weston Durfee.
21"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, v. 30, p. 55, e. 80; Marriage, Durfee-Weston.
22Seventh Census of the United States: 1850, population, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 309, p. 299B, household 1471, Richard S. Durfee family; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 2 October 2012); NARA Microfilm Publication M432; Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
23"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, Deaths 1906, vo. 66, certificate 383; Death: Richard T. Durfey, Jr.
24"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, v. 34, p. 156, e. 346; Birth: Mary Holmes Durfee.
25Seventh Census of the United States: 1850, Population, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 309, p. 299B, household 1471, Richard S. Durfee family.
26Massachusetts, Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1855 Massachusetts State Census, population, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, v. 6, p. 156, household 306, Richard Durfee family; digital images, American Ancestors (americanancestors.org : accessed 5 April 2018); Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, Massachusetts.
27Eighth Census of the United States: 1860, population, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, roll 490, p. 517, household 1345, Richard Durfee family; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 2 November 2012); NARA microfilm publication M653; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.
28Bristol County, Massachusetts, Probate Court, v. 183, p. 429-30; will of Mary Maxfield.
29"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, vol. 174, p. 114, e. 80, New Bedford Deaths, 1864, Polly Maxfield.
30based on census records.
31mentioned in her mother's will in 1847; her husband described as a widower on death record in 1855.
32Vital Records of Dartmouth, v. 2, p. 313; Vital Records of New Bedford, vol. 2, p. 367.
33"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, v. 93, p. 63, e. 19; Death: John Weston, 1855.
34"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, vol. 174, p. 114, e. 80, New Bedford Deaths, 1864, Polly Maxfield.
35"Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910," digital images, American Ancestors, vol. 129, p. 68, e. 67, Fairhaven Deaths, 1859, Wealthy Taber.
36Vital Records of New Bedford, v. 2 p. 366.
37Vital Records of Dartmouth, v. 2, p. 314.
38George Leander Randall, Taber Genealogy: Descendants of Thomas, Son of Philip Taber (New Bedford, MA: Viking Press, 1982), 66; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2013.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Acushnet Cemetery, Acushnet, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Database. Find a Grave. findagrave.com : 2012.

Bristol County, Massachusetts. Deeds. Bristol County Court House, Taunton, MA (familysearch.org).

________. Probate Records. Court House, Taunton, Massachusetts.

Harding, Anne Borden. George Soule. Mayflower Families through Five Generations, 3. Plymouth, Massachusetts: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1980.

Leonard, Elisha. "Leonard Papers." New Bedford Free Public Library, New Bedford, MA.

"Massachusetts and Maine Direct Tax Census of 1798." Digital images. New England Historic Genealogical Society. American Ancestors. americanancestors.org : 2014.

Massachusetts Archives. "Vital Records of Massachusetts, 1841-1910." Digital images. American Ancestors. americanancestors.org : 2017.

Massachusetts, Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1855 Massachusetts State Census, population. Digital images. American Ancestors. americanancestors.org : 2018.

Randall, George Leander. Taber Genealogy: Descendants of Thomas, Son of Philip Taber. New Bedford, Massachusetts: Viking Press, 1982. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2013.

United States, Department of the Census. First Census of the United States: 1790, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.

________. Second Census of the United States: 1800, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2018.

________. Third Census of the United States: 1810, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.

________. Fourth Census of the United States: 1820, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.

________. Fifth Census of the United States: 1830, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.

________. Sixth Census of the United States: 1840, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.

________. Seventh Census of the United States: 1850, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.

________. Eighth Census of the United States: 1860, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.

Vital Records of Dartmouth, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1929, 1929, 1930.

Vital Records of New Bedford, Massachusetts, to the year 1850. 3 volumes. Boston: New England Historical and Genealogical Society, 1932. 1932, 1941.

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