Edmund HOVEY [Parents] [scrapbook] was born ^{1, 2, 3} on 10 Jul 1699 in Malden, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. He died ^{4, 5} on 21 Jan 1788 in Norwich, Windsor, Vermont, United States. He was buried ⁶ on 23 Jan 1788 in Meeting House Hill Cemetery, Norwich, Windsor, Vermont, United States. Edmund married ^{7, 8} Mary FARWELL on 8 Feb 1727/1728 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Mary FARWELL [Parents] [scrapbook] was born ^{1, 2, 3} on 15 Nov 1709 in Medford, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. She died ^{4, 5} on 27 Jan 1747 in Mansfield, Windham, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. Mary married ^{6, 7} Edmund HOVEY on 8 Feb 1727/1728 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Some have her middle name as "Carter", not sure where they get that from? I consider it doubtful.

Isaac FARWELL [Parents] [scrapbook] ¹ was born ^{2, 3} in 1678 in Chelmsford, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. He died ^{4, 5} on 28 Jun 1753 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. Isaac married Elizabeth HYDE on 28 Jun 1703 in Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America.

ISAAC FARWELL3 (Ensign Joseph2, Henry1), b. about 1678, in Chelmsford, Mass. in. probably about 1704, Elizabeth Hyde, of Newton, Mass, She was a dau. of Jonathan and Dorothy (Kidder) Hyde, and was b. May 23, 1680, in Newton. He is often mentioned between 1700 and 1719 in the land records o! Middlesex County, Mass. He was of Groton, Mass., Oct. 22, 1700, when he received land in Groton by deed from his father, Ensign Joseph Farwell. He was still residing there Aug. 22, 1704, when he purchased a dwelling house and land in Dunstable, Mass. His first purchase in Medford, Mass., was May 4, 1708, when he gave a negro man named Henry for land owned by Eleazer Wyer of Medford. It is probable that he removed to Mansfield, Conn., in 1721, which was his residence until his death, June 28, 1753. He is usually called a brickmaker in Middlesex County, Mass., land records, but in several instances his occupation is given as husbandman.

April 25, 1721, Isaac Farwell of Medford, Mass., bought land of George Momisco and nine other Indians. The tract is described as, lying in Hassanimisco in Suffolk Co. Hassanimisco afterward Grafton Mass.

He probably removed to Conn. shortly after this purchase.

Medlord, Mass., Vital Records.
Middlesex Co.. Mass., Deeds.
Suffolk C0., Mass., Deeds.
Whitmore, Medford Families 1355.
Suffolk Co., Mass., Deeds, vol. 36.

WILL OF ISAAC FARWELL3
In the name of God Amen. The Twenty sixth Day of January A D. 1747-8. Isaac Farewell of Mansfield in the County of Windham in the Colony of Connecticut, in New England, yeoman, being advanced in years and infirm of Body, but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be given unto God Theref or, Do make and ordain this my last will and Testament * * *

I give to Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife the whole and sole use and Improvement of all my estate, both real and personal, for her sole use during her natural life, excepting only my lot in the Cedar Swamp in Willington.

To my beloved son John Farewell, whom I constitute my sole executor, all my lands, messuages and tenements not otherwise disposed of, with all my personal Estate and outdoor movables not otherwise disposed of by me, to be possessed and enjoyed after my wife's decease.

To my son William Farewell, beside what I have given him by deed of gift already, the one-half part of my Cedar Swamp in Willington, to be equally divided between him and my son John Farewell upon my decease.

To my grandsons Edmund Hovey, Isaac Hovey, Aaron Hovey, James Hovcy, William Hovey. and Elijah Hovey, £50 in Bills of Credit, old tenor, to he equally divided among them after my wife's decease, as they shall arrive to the age of Twenty-one years, the survivors of them to have the portions equal]y of any of them that shall have been deceased.

To my granddaughters Mary Hovey. Elizabeth Hovey, and Elizabeth Hide all my household goods or indoor movables, excepting wearing  apparel, books, writings, money and hills of credit, at my wife's decease.

To granddaughter Elizabeth Hide £10 in Bills of Credit. All my Books of Diviaity, and all my wearing apparel to Sons John and William equally, after my wife's decease.

My executor to procure and erect decent and suitable monuments at or upon mine and my wife's graves.

ISAAC FABWELL (Seal)
Witnesses
Edmund Freeman Jr.
William Johnson
Martha Freeman

In the body of the will the name is written Farewell, but the signature is distinctly Farwell. The will proved at Mansfield July 10. 1753, by oaths of witnesses exhibited and allowed at Court at Lebanon July 16, 1753. Inventory taken July 10. 1753, was £104 :19:11. The receipt of Edmund Hovey, dated May 2, 1758, shows that his brothers William and Elijah had deceased since the will was made. There are other Hovey receipts. Elizabeth Hide was of Lebanon, as shown by receipt dated Sep. 6, 1757.

Lebanon, June 20, 1758. James Wright of Lebanon and Elizabeth, his wife, said Elizabeth being one of the legatees of the last will of Mr. Isaac Earwell of Mansfield, deceased.
(Signed) ELIZABETH X Hide
JAMES X WRIGHT

Another receipt shows that Isaac Hovey was of Beverly, Mass., before Dcc. 30, 1757.

Elizabeth HYDE [Parents] [scrapbook] was born ^{1, 2} on 23 May 1680 in Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. She died on 29 Jul 1757 in Mansfield, Windham, Connecticut, British Colonial America. Elizabeth married Isaac FARWELL ³ on 28 Jun 1703 in Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America.

Edmund HOVEY [Parents] ¹ was born on 19 Nov 1728 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. He died on 14 Feb 1767 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. Edmund married ^{2, 3} Mary GILBERT on 15 Dec 1749 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Other marriages:

KNOWLTON, Margaret Elizabeth

Mary GILBERT was born ¹ on 11 Mar 1729 in Preston, New London, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. She was christened on 11 May 1729 in First Congregational Church, Griswold, Preston, New London, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. She died ^{2, 3} on 3 Nov 1754 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. Mary married ^{4, 5} Edmund HOVEY ⁶ on 15 Dec 1749 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Edmund HOVEY [Parents] ¹ was born on 19 Nov 1728 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. He died on 14 Feb 1767 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. Edmund married ^{2, 3} Margaret Elizabeth KNOWLTON on 16 May 1758 in Hopkinton, Merrimack, New Hampshire, British Colonial America.

Other marriages:

GILBERT, Mary

Margaret Elizabeth KNOWLTON was born ^{1, 2} on 14 Mar 1734 in Manchester By The Sea, Essex, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America. She died ³ on 2 Oct 1798 in Norwich, Windsor, Vermont, United States. Margaret married ^{4, 5} Edmund HOVEY on 16 May 1758 in Hopkinton, Merrimack, New Hampshire, British Colonial America.

Isaac HOVEY [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 7 Aug 1730 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. He died in Aug 1761. Isaac married ³ Lydia GILBERT on 18 May 1758 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America.

Lydia GILBERT was born ^{1, 2} in Dec 1730 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. She died ³ about 1820 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Lydia married ⁴ Isaac HOVEY on 18 May 1758 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America.

Aaron HOVEY Sr [Parents] [scrapbook] ¹ was born ^{2, 3} on 22 Apr 1735 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. He died ^{4, 5} on 10 Mar 1812 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. He was buried ⁶ in Mar 1812 in Storrs, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. Aaron married ^{7, 8} Olive FARWELL on 15 Jan 1761 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Other marriages:

FREEMAN, Abigail

Olive FARWELL [Parents] [scrapbook] was born ¹ on 24 Jul 1740 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. She died ^{2, 3} on 29 Jul 1764 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. Olive married ^{4, 5} Aaron HOVEY Sr ⁶ on 15 Jan 1761 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Aaron HOVEY Sr [Parents] [scrapbook] ¹ was born ^{2, 3} on 22 Apr 1735 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. He died ^{4, 5} on 10 Mar 1812 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. He was buried ⁶ in Mar 1812 in Storrs, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. Aaron married ⁷ Abigail FREEMAN on 18 Feb 1768 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

Other marriages:

FARWELL, Olive

Abigail FREEMAN [Parents] was born ^{1, 2} on 20 May 1743 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. She died ³ on 12 Feb 1831 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. She was buried ⁴ in 1831 in Storrs, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. Abigail married ⁵ Aaron HOVEY Sr ⁶ on 18 Feb 1768 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America.

John SLAFTER was born ¹ on 26 May 1739 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. He died ^{2, 3} on 8 Oct 1819 in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut, United States. He was buried ⁴ in 1819 in Waterman Hill Cemetery, Pompanoosuc, Windsor, Vermont, United States. John married ^{5, 6} Elizabeth HOVEY on 26 Mar 1767 in Norwich, Windsor, Vermont, British Colonial America.

Elizabeth HOVEY [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 22 Jun 1744 in Mansfield City, Tolland, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America. She died ^{3, 4} on 6 Jan 1811. She was buried ⁵ in 1811 in Pompanoosuc, Windsor, Vermont, United States. Elizabeth married ^{6, 7} John SLAFTER on 26 Mar 1767 in Norwich, Windsor, Vermont, British Colonial America.

William FARR (MRCA) [Parents] [scrapbook] ^{1, 2} was christened ³ on 3 Oct 1613 in Kempston, Bedfordshire, England. He was buried ^{4, 5} on 10 Jan 1683 in Haynes, Bedfordshire, England. William married ^{6, 7, 8} Faith TAYLOR on 24 Nov 1630 in Lidlington, Bedfordshire, England.

William's will was probated ⁹ on 12 Jan 1683/1684 in Haynes, Bedfordshire, England.

William Farr is the MRCA (Most Recent Common Ancestor) between our DNA participant from Bedford England and all of the DNA participants in the Stephen Farr of Concord group. Our Bedford participant descends through William's son Thomas and the Stephen Farr group participants descend through William's son Stephen. With the initial 12 marker test results, there was a 37% probability that William Farr could have been our MRCA. With the 25 marker test results, that probability went up to 81%. Now, with our 37 marker results, the probability is at 94%. This equates to 13 generations and about 325 years.

William is Listed in his father's will #92172 Fairfax #92, Stephen Farr.

In putting this family together I used the Will of William Farr the father of Elizabeth (Far) Dennet Heward b.1631, Thomas Farr, Roger Farr and Stephen Farr b.1640. Elizabeth and Stephen are in the vitals as children of William. Roger and Thomas are named as children of William in his will but not found in the vitals as his children. As you see in William's will below, he mentions grandchildren. These grandchildren are easily traced in the vital records to firm up which Elizabeth, Roger and Thomas were the parents and are found on the Farr CD. When used in conjunction with info included below about Elizabeth and also the info from Thomas Farr's will (son of William) and also the administration of Roger Farr's estate (son of William), the family is solid.

In the parish record below you can see that Elizabeth who married George Dennet was a Far, not a Farlye as show in the IGI extraction record. The 'lye' part is a separate word and is actually "the", and then the date is given. This is from the Bishop's Transcripts film #1066922

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The following image is the same record but from the Parish Register.

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George Dennet in his will mentions four sisters, one named Mary Farr. At first I thought this was Mary Farr wife of Lee Farr or Edward Farr. I looked for a father for George Dennet and found Thomas Dennet's will. In Thomas Dennet's will, he mentions his son George and his daughter Mary Farr the wife of Stephen Farr and her son John Farr. This Stephen Farr is the brother to the William Farr (MRCA) who's will is presented below. From the vitals we know that Stephen's first wife was Katherine and they had a daughter Ann. In the vitals Stephen has two more sons named John and Robert after Katherine's. death. His 2nd wife's name has been a mystery until now. From Thomas Dennet's will, FHL film #1066809, her name is obviously Mary and she is the mother of Stephen's son John.

Archdeaconry of Bedford - Will
William Farr of Haynes - Yeoman
1683/4 84 - Films 0088084 and 1066822
Will transcribed by Dean Hunter

In The Name of God Amen
The Twelve Day of Janry 1683 & in the Thirty fifth yeare of The Raigne of King Charles the Second of England & I William ffarr of Hawnes in the County of Bedford yem being weake in body but of good and prfect Remembrance God be praised for I Do make and ordaine this my Last will and Testament in mannor & form followinge that is to say first I committ my soule unto The hands of Almighty God whoe gave it, hoping Through the only merritts of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ To be made pertaker of Everlasting life and my body I Committ to the earth where of it was made To be decently Buried at the Discretion of my executor, hereafter named, and as to These worldy blessing which it hath pleased almighty god to Lend me in this mortall life I Devise and bequeath Them in mannor ffollowinge Item I give and bequeath Elizabeth and John ffarr my Grandchildren tenn shillings a peece Item I give and bequeath unto Ann and Thomas ffarr my Grandchildren Tenn shillings a peece, Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Heyward my Grandson Tenn shillings, Item I give devise and unto Roger ffarr my sonn for the terme of his life All that Messuage with the appurtenances in Marston Mortayne in the said County and two Rightles of pasture neare their unto adjoining and seaven Roods of Meddow by estamation in the parish of Marston aforesaid That I lately purchased of Samuel Keenes and after the Decease of my sonn Roger ffarr as aforesaid Then I give and bequeath the said Messuage Rights of pasture and meddow with their appurtenances unto William ffarr my Grand son, The son of Roger farr aforesaid and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten He paying out of the aforesaid premuses unto william ffarr my Grandchild the son of Thomas ffarr my sonn the sum of Twenty pounds of Lawfull money of England within six months next after william my Grandchild shall be actually possessed of the premisses and in cases of the said william farr my Grandchild shall happen to Depart this life without Issue of his body lawfully begotten, Then I give & bequeath the said Messuage rights of pasture & meaddow ground with their appurtenances unto william ffarr son of Thomas ffarr my sonn his heirs & Assigns forever Item I give unto Thomas ffarr my sonn two Cartts and wheeles and all my plows & hurrows & plow timber and also my will is & I give unto my sonn Thomas aforesaid so much of my stock graine and other goods To the value or worth of fifteen pounds whom I make and ordaine sole executor of this my Last will & Testament All the Rest of my goods & Chattle whatsoever unbequeathed I give Devise and Bequeath unto Roger ffarr Thomas ffarr and Elizabeth Heyward my Three Children, To Be equally Devide between them each ones part To Bee of equally worth and vallue with the other, but it shall soe happen That my tow sonns and Daughter as aforesd shall nott accord or satisfy them selves in parteinge Those my good and Chattles, Then my will is and I Doe hearby nominate In power and appoint my two loveinge ffrinds John Dunham and John Carter Bothe of hawnes aforesd To make that Devision of my goods and Chattles between my Two Sonns & my Daughter, and To sett out each ones part as in theire judgement shall seeme most equall and Doe appoint Those my two Frinds as aforesd overseers of this my will In witness where of I the said william ffarr the elder have so this my last will and Testament sett my hand and seale dated the Day and year first above written
William ffarr
Published sealed & Delivered in The presence of Jno Hoskett, John Carter The mark of Jane Quaite

From the parish records of Lidlington:
Fur William, Chr 1612 8 Mar, s. Roger, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Fur John or William, Chr 1615 27 Jun, s. Roger, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Furre Roger, Chr 1617 17 Aug, s. Roger, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Fur Sarah, Chr 1620 7 Mar, d. Roger, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Fur Mary, Chr 1621 18 Mar, d. Roger, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Far Thomas, Chr 1626 27 Aug, s. Roger [Farr-T.], Lidlington, FHLQ942.565 B4e v. 29
Farre Wm,  Mar 1630 24 Nov, Faith Taylor, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Farre Elizabeth,  Chr 1631 11 Dec, d. William, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Farre Jn, Mar 1638 17 Jan, Ann Midleton, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29
Farre Roger, Bur 1638 5 Dec, Lidlington, FHL British Film #845460
Farr Stephen, Chr 1640 29 Dec, s. William, Lidlington, FHL Q942.565 B4e v. 29

Faith TAYLOR [Parents] [scrapbook] was christened ^{1, 2} on 4 Dec 1613 in Lidlington, Bedfordshire, England. She was buried ^{3, 4} on 29 Dec 1683 in Haynes, Bedfordshire, England. Faith married ^{5, 6, 7} William FARR (MRCA) ^{8, 9} on 24 Nov 1630 in Lidlington, Bedfordshire, England.

Stephen FARR [Parents] [scrapbook] ¹ was christened ^{2, 3, 4} on 29 Dec 1640 in Lidlington, Bedfordshire, England. He died after 1692 in Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. Stephen married ^{5, 6, 7} Mary TAYLOR ⁸ on 15 May 1674 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America.

Stephen was also known as Steven Farre.

We can't find any sources to prove that Stephen Farr was a son of Thomas Farr of Lynn, MA. or Haynes, Bedford, England. It appears that Thomas Farr of Lynn was really Thomas Farrar of Lynn and Salem. Reports from both ¹Robert Charles Anderson (see report below) and Dr. Arlene Eakle, state that Thomas Farr of Lynn did not exist but Thomas Farrar did. Any reference to Thomas Farr of Lynn is really Thomas Farrer.

The ²DNA that descends from this Stephen matches the DNA that descends from Thomas Farr(b. abt 1637 Lidlington, Bedford, England) down to our English DNA participant who now lives in Belgium. This, along with other records, proves that Stephen is Thomas' brother and both are sons of William. Stephen disappears from the English records and is the only Stephen that can't be accounted for. This is the Stephen that shows up in Concord, MA., and is why he shows in the parish records as a son to William but not mentioned in William's will. The DNA results between our Farrs and our English cousin are as follows:

#14723(David Jackson Farr)-----13 23 14 10 11 12 12 12 12 14 13 30 18 9 10 11 11 24 15 19 29 15 16 17 17 11 10 19 23 17 15 17 17 36 38 12 12
#15659(Steven Timothy Farr)----13 23 14 11 11 12 12 12 12 14 13 30 18 9 10 11 11 24 15 19 29 15 16 17 17 11 10 19 23 17 15 17 17 36 38 13 12

The above results show a two-marker one-step mutation. The following two paragraphs from FamilyTreeDNA's website explain why this is not a problem:

When you compare a 12 Marker result to another 12 marker result of someone with the SAME surname, and the results match 12/12, there is a 99% probability that you two are related within the time frame included in the MRCA tables. If the match is 11/12, there's still a high probability that you are related IF the 11/12 match is within the same surname. If you compare a 25 Marker result to another 25 marker result for the SAME surname, and the results match 24/25, then there is also a 99% confidence that the two individuals are related…and at a much closer time interval than with the 12 marker test. If you compare a 37 Marker result to another 37 marker result for the SAME surname, and the results match 35/37, then there is also a 99% confidence that the two individuals are related…and at a much closer time interval than with the 12 or 25 marker test.

Our bodies work as copy machines when it comes to the Y-DNA. You can have a copy machine doing 1,000 copies without a problem, and then, the 1,001 copy may have an "o" that looks more like an "e". And when we use this copy to make additional ones, all the new ones will now have an "e" instead of an "o". This is a simple way to explain how mutations occur in our Y-DNA when it's transferred (copied) from father to son. Mutations don't happen frequently, on the contrary, very seldom, but they can happen randomly in time, which means that I could be one mutation off from my father. That is why all those matches or close matches on 12 markers will, in most cases, go away when they happen between different surnames and when we increase the number of markers that are compared with more mutations showing up. This means farther back in time to when the common ancestor lived.

I was searching the 'New England Historic Genealogical Societies' online archives and ran across the New England Friends Cemetery Inscriptions. As I began to search the different Friends cemeteries I noticed more Farrs than I expected. When I finished the search I had found 35 Farrs whom had been buried during the 19th century in Quaker cemeteries.

I then decided to do more searching for available friend records in the SLC FHL and could only find records from the late 1700's to the 1900's. I then contacted the Archivist of Friend records at the Rhode Island Historical Library by email and asked if they knew if any Quaker records existed for the mid to late 17th century and early to mid 18th century for the state of Massachusetts. A few days later I received an email from Marnie Miller-Gutsell who is the archivist over the Friend's records. She informed me that the Massachusetts Friend records where all on file at the Rhode Island Historical Library with the exception of a few western Massachusetts Friend records that are housed at a university in Pennsylvania and a few in New York.

For years Maybeth Reimann urged me to check the Quaker records for Farrs but I couldn't find the records for the years needed to check on Thomas and Stephen Farr. It didn't occur to me that the records would be in Rhode Island instead of Massachusetts. I was very surprised when Marnie wrote back and said that the records were in RI. not MA.

I sent information on Thomas Farr's alleged family and information on Stephen Farr and his children in the mail to Marnie. The following is her response back to me shortly after she received my mailing:

Marnie Miller-Gutsell, Archivist
New England Yearly Meeting Archives
Rhode Island Historical Library
121 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906

Hi Tim--

I received your family information today, and did a preliminary search. I'm sorry to tell you that there wasn't a single Farr/Farre in the Quaker records of the Salem/Lynn/Boston area during the time period you are interested in. Those were the only active Quaker worshipping groups anywhere in that vicinity at that time. Even if there were some small worshipping groups in Stow or Billerica, two other locations you mentioned, they would still have connected with the main groups nearer the coast.

To tell the truth, when I saw that Stephen was a veteran of King Phillip's War, I wasn't really surprised not to find him. Quakers were (and often still are) pretty strict pacifists, and there are many records of their paying large fines or having property confiscated for refusing to train with the militia. Men who did train or serve could be "disowned" by their Meeting for doing so. If Stephen had become a "convinced" Friend after the war, he or his children would still have shown up in the record.

Sorry to report such disappointing news. Best of luck in finding the Farrs elsewhere.
Marnie

Note: Stephen was a soldier in King Phillip's War and was present when his commander, Capt. Nathaniel Davenport was slain, April 21, 1676.

The following was taken from the NEHGR Vol. 151, Jan, p. 59, 1997 and is why we can't find vitals on some of Stephen's children:

UNRECORDED EARLY BIRTHS
IN BILLERICA, MASSACHUSETTS:
BACON, FARR, BROWN, AND HINDES

Melinde Lutz Sanborn

Most genealogists are only too familiar with frustrations caused by records that are inadequate because of such hazards as illiteracy, court house fires, water damage, and occasional theft. Negligence was often a factor as well, as shown by the following communication from a frustrated registrar in 1686. The document was unearthed recently among Middlesex County Court Files.

Billerica decembr 15, 1686
Capt Hammond, sr I received yours, dated Novembr 6th wherein you are pleased to signify to my self, ye Honrd County Court appointing myselfe to take the account of births & deaths in our Towne, sr, I have here enclosed a list of all that I have heard in our Towne, since my last returne, with a penny a name, according to former customes, but I have not sent ye shilling over pluss, for my purpose is not to hold ye Service any longer; if I may obtaine that favour of ye Honrd Court, & therefore do intreat your self to motion it to ye Court to appoint another. I have served in ye place about twenty year and have returned many a name, & money with them, that I never got a penny for. here is six names in this returne, that none take care of to pay for, in deed ye law made is strikt enought, if p[er]sons would regard it, or that there were a way found to execute it for my owne [blot] I am weary of running after many p[er]sons, & minding them of ye law, unless [blot] would reguard what ye law is. Sr. I will only mention ye names of 3 or 4, which have bin often spoken to, as Michail Bacon, Steven Farre, John Browne has had 2 children since he came into this Towne, & has given account of none. John Hindes, was married 4 year since, often Called upon, but to no purpose, & now is removed to lankastere. So, if men may be p[er]suaded to attend ye law in these respects, I shall be willing to do any service in this kind, w[he]n called to it, but to have so much labour to looke after these things & nothing but ill will for my paines, this I am weary of Pray P[ar]rdon my boldness with yr selfe, I humbly request ye Honrd Court to appoint another in my stead
Sr, I remaine yor Humble, servt, Jonathan Danforth, Senr.

Note by Tim Farr: Stephen Farr and Michael Bacon in another Billerica town record (FHL film #901876) were warned to show at a town meeting in 1681 and they attended. Also in the records p. 247 a Job Caine was warned by the selectmen not to entertain Stephen Farr upon his farm, so as to bring him in as an inhabitant amongst us without ye consent of ye town.

I believe that Stephen was a Puritan because of the following record from the NEHGR Vol. 136, p. 45:
George Farley was active in town affairs: in March 1659/60, he served on the Grand Jury (ibid., 59); also in 1660 he was a corporal in the train band, a group formed to train and protect the town. On 14 August 1675, in a period of frequent Indian attack, his house was selected as a garrison in time of extremity. He was also on the march which took the life of his son Timothy at Brookfield, Massachusetts, 1675.

His name appears frequently in the selectmen's records. On 22 November 1674 he was chosen surveyor of highways, and 11 August 1682, he was elected a tithing man for the ensuing year with the following families under his care: John Lame, Steven Far, Nathaniel Hill, Sq. Hill, Jno Hill, Isaac Sternes, Mr. Whiting, Henry Jeffs (sic), John Sternes, Samuel Farley (his son), Widdow French (sic), Wm Chamberlain, John Chamberlain, John Shed, and Dan'l Shed, Sr. (sic). The tithing men were each responsible for ten families, supervising their moral behavior and church attendance. He is mentioned on several other occasions in various town matters.

George Farley was a Baptist, and as such his church activities are of interest. He was on the committee to build a church and provide for a minister at Billerica, 10th of 6th mo 1658 (Hazen, History of Billerica, 153), yet he was frequently at variance with the views of the church. The Puritans, who had left England to escape the restrictions of the established church, reversed positions and cast the Baptists into the role of dissident in the new colony. The principal Baptist belief was freedom of religion, and, therefore, the Puritan insistence on infant baptism was particularly offensive to them (Francis H. Russell, “A Cobbler at His Bench: John Russell of Woburn,” Register, 133 [1979]:125-133). They frequently turned their backs during baptism or walked out. Samuel Farley, son of George, was fined for eating and drinking in church, probably more an indication of his defiance than a reflection of his boorishness (Superior Court records no. 1689, 131-133).

The following is a research report by ¹Robert Charles Anderson for the ³Winslow Farr Sr. Family Org., 1996:

THOMAS AND STEPHEN FARR

1)        PASSENGER LISTS

Attempts have been made to find Thomas or Stephen Farr in passenger lists, but the only Farr entries mentioned in the research files are Edward Farr and Barnabas Farr. Edward is listed on a 1635 ship to St. Kitt's. There is no evidence that this man ever came to New England, and examples of passengers on these ships bound for the Caribbean later coming to New England are vanishingly few. Barnabas Farr, who sailed on the James in 1635 with Rev. Richard Mather, is in all New England records Barnabas Fawer, a different surname.
Thomas and Stephen Farr do not appear in surviving passenger lists, and the prospects of finding more lists for the appropriate period are quite slim. Further research in this class of records at this time should not be conducted.

2)        THOMAS FARR

The existence of Thomas Farr depends on the existence of records which show that such a man was in New England in the middle of the seventeenth century. The next thing to do is examine each of the records supposed to apply to this man.

a)        The Holmes-Corey researchers stated that a record of Thomas Far had been found in Boston in 1645, but did not provide a citation for this record. A Thomas Farrar of Boston, husbandman, son of Thomas Farrar of Burnley, Lancashire, in 1645 gave a power of attorney to his brother Henry Farrar. if this is the record referred to by Holmes-Corey, then it has nothing to do with a supposed Thomas Farr. The Farr and Farrar names are quite distinct, although, as we shall see, they can be confused by misunderstandings of written versions of the name.

b)        In 1654 Daniel King of Lynn sold to “Thomas Farr” of Lynn several sizeable parcels of land in Lynn [Essex Deeds 1:30]. This record is certainly the basis for much of the belief in the existence of Thomas Farr, and of his possible connection with George Farr of Lynn. I believe, however, that the grantee in this deed was Thomas Farrar of Lynn, a person who certainly did exist.. The version of these deeds which we now consult is a nineteenth-century transcript, the original of which is no longer available. Many seventeenth-century scribes would write “Farr-ar” by converting the last two letters into a flourish, so it might look to a person unfamiliar with the older scripts as “Farr” with a fancy termination. It should be possible to resolve this point by examining the later land transactions of Thomas Farrar of Lynn, to see if any of the parcels purchased from Daniel King appear in his hands.

c)        Suffolk Court Files Case #24440 involves Thomas Powers and Thomas Farr-who are both of age, but the deposition is not dated. However, two of the principal players in the deposition are Ebenezer Parkhurst and his wife Mary, a couple who were not known to have married before 1695, and so the deposition must have been made no earlier than this date, and probably some years later. The deponent would therefore be the Thomas Farr born about 1688, son of Stephen Farr.

d)        The supposed Thomas Farr- is given sons John, Thomas and Jonathan, in addition to Stephen. John is said to be of Lynn, but this must be John, son of George Farr-of Lynn, as evidenced by John's probate of 1672. I find no evidence for the existence of Thomas and Jonathan Farr, supposed sons of the supposed Thomas.

On this evidence I see no reason to believe that Thomas Farr ever existed. If I have overlooked any records thought to prove the presence of a Thomas Farr in early New England, I would be glad to examine them.

3)        STEPHEN FARR

Stephen Farr first appears in New England records in 1674 when he married in Concord. Since we have eliminated Thomas Far as his possible father, we are left with little else in New England. The only earlier Farr family is that of George Farr of Lynn. From the probate records relating to George Farr and his son John, it is clear that Stephen was not a son of George. Given his marriage date and his participation in King Philip's War, Stephen cannot have been born much later than 1650; but, inasmuch as those sons of George Farr who did marry were married much later than 1650, Stephen Farr also cannot have been a grandson of George Farr.
The conclusion from all this is that Stephen Farr was born in England, of unknown parents, probably in the 1640s.

4)        RECOMMENDATIONS

From the above arguments, we conclude that Stephen Farr came to New England as a single man, which will not make finding him in England an easy prospect. Only two lines of research suggest themselves:

a)        Since we first find Stephen Farr in Concord, he may have been related in some manner to a Concord family, or possibly came with a Concord family as a servant. All records for Stephen Farr should be examined to determine if he had any frequent associations with families in Concord.

b)        Search English records systematically for any Stephen Farr- born in England in the right time period, without any preconceptions about the names of his parents. This approach can be combined with the first suggested avenue of research, should anything suggestive appear from those efforts.

In this regard I would note that previous research has turned up one possibility that is at least worth pursuing - the Stephen Farr baptized at Lidlington, Bedfordshire, on 29 December 1640, son of William Farr. The baptismal date is a little early, but not terribly so, and many early Concord residents were from Bedfordshire. This may turn out to be a false lead, but I believe that your search for the origin of Stephen Farr will run along these lines - searching English records for a likely Stephen Farr, and then examining each candidate to see whether he can be eliminated, or whether any supporting evidence can be found.

I would be willing to make myself available to the Farr-Family Organization, at no further charge, in two specific areas. First, if I have failed to address any record which purports to prove the existence of a Thomas Farr in New England prior to the appearance of Stephen Farr, I would be glad to study it and give an opinion on its evidentiary value. Second, if some other researcher finds in England a Stephen Farr who appears to be a strong candidate for identification as the immigrant, I would be glad to examine the records and express an opinion.

5)        APPENDIX

Nearly twenty years ago I was involved in a study of early examples of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). One of the earliest cases described was that of a Farr family of Vermont. Enclosed are two articles in medical journals which describe the disease as it appeared in this branch of the Farr family, and also a few Farr vital records which I extracted from the Vermont vital records which apply to this branch of the family. ALS usually strikes a person in the fifth decade of life, and in more than eighty percent of cases leads to death within five years. Nineteenth-century medicine had not yet classified neurological degenerative diseases in the way we do now, so when one sees records in which a person is dying in his or her forties or fifties, with the cause of death listed as paralysis or palsy or some similar designation, a diagnosis of ALS or something similar may be in order. I hope this information is of some use and interest to the members of the Farr family organization..

Robert Charles Anderson
27 March 1996
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¹Robert Charles Anderson is the over the New England Great Migration Project.
²Farr Surname DNA results can be found online at: www.dustyhills.net/FarrDNATestResults.htm
³The Winslow Farr Sr. Family organization can be contacted through their website at: www.winslowfarr.org/index.htm

Notes about Stephen from Famous and Infamous Farr Family:
Stephen Farr was a soldier of King Philip's War, serving under Capt. Nathaniel Davenport in the Narragansett Campaign of 1675. This group of foot soldiers attacked the Narragansett Indian fort at Kingston, Rhode Island and attempted to wipe out the Narragansett Indian tribe in a battle known as “The Great Swamp Fight” The Narragansett Indians were believed to be allies with the Wampanoag Indians under King Philip's leadership who had attacked many Engliah settlements and killed a great many English settlers and their families. It was a very sad time in New England history when cultures in conflict were part of everyday life.

Double Proof: The Farr Family DNA Project http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2006/08/14/double-proof-the-farr-family-dna-project/
Many genealogists in the past believed Stephen Farr, who married Mary Taylor 24 May 1674 in Concord MA, had to be the son of a Farr who lived in Massachusetts or possibly Maine. Rev. Charles N. Sinnett, in his The Farr Genealogy (filmed by the Genealogical Society of UT in 1951) proposed Thomas Far of Lynn MA as the ancestor. There was a George Farr of first Boston and then of Lynn; he was also a candidate. Thomas Farr of Lynn turned out to be named Farrar with ties to Lancashire, England and George left a will naming his children and Stephen was not one of them.

The Farr Family Organization wrestled with the problem of their origins for decades. Finally in 2003, Tim Farr, a computer-savvy descendant, with the blessing and financial support of the family organization, launched a DNA Farr Surname Project. Two cousins were tapped to be tested first. They matched exactly with 12 markers, then 25 markers, and today with 37 markers. (There is now a 59 marker test!) Other male descendants were invited to participate and some asked to be included. A total of eleven descendants matched exactly.

Another male descendant, living in Belgium, contacted the family–he was born in Bedfordshire, England, where there were pockets of Farrs going back as far as the records themselves. And there was a Stephen Farr christened 1640 in Lidlington, Bedfordshire. He had already been highlighted as a good prospect for origins.

When (Belgium) Farr was tested, 35 of 37 markers matched exactly. The markers that matched indicated a probability of 99% relationship, and the 2 mutations indicated a different generation for the most recent common ancestor.

What makes the Farr DNA Surname Project unique? First, a computer database of English wills for the Farr surname was professionally created and circulated to family members on CD. Family members, with professional oversight, translated and transcribed the wills for analysis. This CD of wills was completed before the results of many of the tests were in.

Then, Tim with the aid of his sister Karen, added all the parish register entries for the Farr surname to an excel spreadsheet for comparison and careful analysis–so that every possible candidate for Stephen Farr’s parents and siblings could be identified and accounted for. These were added to the CD. At present more than 25,000 Farrs from records all over England are on this CD available from the family organization (see contact information below).

As the test results were coming in, each and every key lineage was also proven and documented with a clear paper trail–linking each generation from the dna match all the way back, son to father to grandfather and so on.

Stay tuned for the next episode, 21 August, 2006: I will show you why it is essential to check all the places where the ancestors resided for evidence. Some ancestors provided information beyond our wildest thoughts.

What makes a project like this possible?

1. The International Genealogical Index compiled by the LDS Church principally from parish registers. Bedfordshire was microfilmed early and all parishes are included in the database. Where there is a question of reading or interpretation, original registers are available on microfilm to check. The project had a few entries to be checked against the originals.

2. Computer software to speed the collection of data into spreadsheets: where the IGI batches are arranged alphabetically by location; and LDS Companion 2.12 from Archer Software. These remarkable tools enable you to convert parish register entries for your surname of interest in to comparable charts for analysis.

3. Dedicated, computer-savvy, personnel willing to spend the hundreds of hours needed. Few organizations can afford to use professionals for such a study. This massive effort includes the volunteers who in-put the data in the IGI, the dedicated genealogists who created the index utility for the batch numbers, Ancestry.com who ensured that freepages at rootsweb survived as a free site, and others who were unpaid participants willing to donate their time and energy to achieve success. And we all are indebted to the LDS Church whose foresight and financial resources have acquired the record sources on microfilm in sufficient quantity and completeness to ensure success.

4. Male descendants willing to have the DNA testing done through a reputable and careful lab. The Farr Project was powered by Family Tree DNA of Houston TX Other labs are available, descriptions can be found on the internet. Down-line research may be necessary to locate living male descendants. And only male descendants carry the Y-Chromosome dna (in spite of claims made on the internet). Each and every male carries a copy of the dna of his male ancestors. “There is no need to dig up dead bodies” for tests, Tim says.

Add to your summer reading:
Stephen Farr of Concord < Massachusetts b. 1640: His Family, Descendants, and Probable English Origins (A DNA Study) written by Timothy M. Farr, 2006. Available for $34.00 from Winslow Farr, S., Family Organization, 26561 Campesino, Mission Viejo CA 92691. CD also available, $5.00.

Mary TAYLOR [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 19 Feb 1649 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. She died in 1699 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America. Mary married ^{3, 4, 5} Stephen FARR ⁶ on 15 May 1674 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America.

Refered to as daughter ffarr in her father's will. Marriage to Stephen found in Concord Reg. marriages of Middlesex County reference # US/CAN 974.44/C4 v2c p. 17