Research by Patsy Hendrickson
John Bullard was the son of William and Grace Bignett Bullard of Barnham, St. Martin in Suffolk, England. 1 He was married in England to Magdalene. This was probably Magdalene Martyn, the sister of Anne Martyn who married John’s brother, Robert.2 If so, she was the daughter of John Martyn and Anne Hosmer, and was still single on 28 December 1629 when she was mentioned in her father’s will. Genealogical research being done by Samuel Antonio Minter shows her as Magdalene Martyn, born 29 January 1607 in Barnham, Suffolk, England, and the marriage date of John Partridge and Magdalene as 2 May 1632. In his will, her father, John Martyn, identifies himself as a cook. He may have been employed at one of the manor houses in Barnham – Calthorp Hall Manor, or Baggot’s Manor.2
After their marriage, John and Magdalene Bullard had a son, John who died and was buried in St. Martin’s Parish in Barnham on 14 October 1635. Four days later, on 18 October 1635, their daughter, Magdalene Bullard, was christened in Barnham. This daughter is the ancestor of Julia Hills.
Along with John’s brothers, William, Robert, and George, John and Magdalene and their new daughter imigrated to New England sometime between the birth of Magdalene in 1635, and 1638, when John is shown as a proprietor in Watertown, Massachusetts. He, with his wife, Magdalene, was admitted to the church there on 2 May 1639. He took the freemen's oath 13 May 1640.1
With his brother William, John became a proprietor of the settlement at Dedham, when the company of Watertown church members established themselves there. He became the 71st signer of the Dedham Covenant on 1 June 1636. His dismissal from the church at Watertown to the one at Dedham was dated 30 May 1641, "Mr. Phillips, the pastor, and Elders Carter and Howe, testifying in his favor. John received lands adjoining his brother William's property." According to Bullard and Allied Families written by Edgar J Bullard in 1930, the brothers were rated among the most able citizens and private accounts against John Bullard abroad were entered as "one of the two Bullards at Dedham." Samuel F. Haven, in the "Dedham, Mass. "Historical Address" (1837)" said, "William and John Bullard next appear... these men were Puritans... men of character and standing in their own countries."
In 1650, John became a proprietor in Medfield, Massachusetts, where, with other proprietors, he enjoyed a great degree of confidence from the General Court. He and the other proprietors were not bound by the General Court, in the act of incorporation, to "build within a specified time a meeting house, settle a minister, and establish a school," as was most common for that time. According to the General Court, the characters of John and the other proprietors was "sufficient pledge that these things will be done soon enough."4
A house lot of eight acres was assigned to John Bullard in Medfield, Massachusetts in 1652. His lot (on what is now Main Street) stood nearly opposite the head of what is now Spring Street. Additionally, he received 100 acres in the west section (probably today’s Millis or Medway). He served with the train-band and in 1675 he is on the list of subscribers to the fund for the "new brick college" (Harvard), his contribution to be a bushel and a half of "Indian corn".4
Magdalene died in Medfield, Massachusetts, 29 November 1661. John married second, Ellen, widow of Thomas Dickerman of Dorchester. She died in 1676.
John died at Medfield, 27 October 1678 as the result of an accident - the "overthrowing of a cart”. In John's will, the homestead went to his son, Joseph, with legacies paid to John Partridge (son-in-law) and two daughters, Abigail Stockwell and Hannah Allen.
John Bullard Jr (b 1632 in Barnham, Suffolk, England - d 14 October 1635 in England)
Magdalene Bullard – Julia's ancestor (christened 18 October 1635 in Barnham, Co Suffolk, England - d 27 December 1676, married John Partridge 18 December 1655).
John Bullard (b 1637 in Dedham, Norfolk, MA - 4 Jul 1668 in Dedham, Norfolk, MA)
Abigail Bullard (b 8 Aug 1641 in Dedham, Norfolk, MA - Married Quintaine Stockwell in 1666)
Joseph Bullard
Hannah Bullard (b 1 Dec 1645 in Dedham, Norfolk, MA - Married Benjamin Allen 6 Mar 1669)
Michael Bullard (b 21 Mar 1648 in Dedham, Norfolk, MA - probably dies young)
Find a Grave Memorial 3625
NEHGS Register Vol. 146 p 280, "The Martyn Wives of Robert and John Bullard” by John Plummer
NEHGS Register Vol 57 p 51
Bullard and Allied Families p10-14 by Edgar J Bullard, 1930
https://www.geni.com/people/John-Bullard-of-Barnham-Dedham-Medfield/6000000005588074585