Michael Metcalf was the third of eleven children of Michael Metcalf and Sarah Elwyn. He is said to have been born on 29 August 1620 in Norwich, and baptized in St. Benedict Parish,1, although Don Blauvelt notes that the parish records for 1620 are missing.2
Michael’s father was a well-to-do Dornix weaver, but he was also a staunch Puritan who lost his property in a Star Chamber fine and had to flee the persecutions of Bishop Wren of Norwich. The family immigrated to New England, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts, on 18 June 1637,3 when Michael Jr. was sixteen. They settled immediately in the newly formed settlement of Dedham, Massachusetts.4 The Dedham Church records say "Michaell ye sone of our brother Mettcalfe was received giving good satisfaction ye 6d of ye 1t month 1640.5
Mary Fairbanks was received into the church, "11th of ye 10th month 1640.5 She was the daughter of Jonathan Fairbanks and Grace Smith. "Her birth date seems to have been in February 1621/22, so it is assumed she was born on 3 February 1621/2 as given by Torrey, and baptized on 18 April 1622 as given in other records."1 The Fairbanks were close neighbors of the Metcalfs in Dedham. On 2 April 1644, Michael Metcalf and Mary Fairbanks were married in Dedham.6 He was 23 and she was 22.
In the town records for 1 February 1644/45, Michael Metcalf Jr.’s name, along with that of his younger brother, John, first appear among those of the men of Dedham assembled to elect selectmen. On "4 of ye 12-month 1644[/45]," Michael received a grant of 2 acres 1 rod of woodlands.4
Michael’s mother died 30 November 1644 in Dedham,5 and in 1645, his father married Mary Sothy Pidge,6 a widow with children by her first marriage. When the Metcalf house proved to be too small for the combined family, Mary Fairbanks’ Metcalf’s family "adopted" Martha Pidge, the youngest daughter.7, 8
Michael Jr. and Mary had five children, all born of record in Dedham:6
Michael Metcalf. Born on 21 January 1644/5 in Dedham. Baptized on 26 January 1644/5 in Dedham when five days old. Died on 11 September 1693 in Dedham, 48 years old.
Mary Metcalf. Born on 15 August 1646 in Dedham. Baptized on 16 August 1646 in Dedham when a day old. Died on 22 March 1676/7 in Dedham, 30 years old.
Sarah Metcalf. Born and baptized on 7 December 1648 in Dedham. Died on 13 April 1718 in Wrentham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 69 years old.
Dea. Jonathan Metcalf . Born on 21 September 1650 in Dedham. Baptized on 29 September 1650 in Dedham when eight days old. Died on 23 May 1727 in Dedham, 76 years old. Buried in Old Village Cemetery, Dedham.
Dea. Eleazer Metcalf (our ancestor). Born on 2 March 1652/3 in Dedham. Baptized on 6 March 1652/3 in Dedham when four days old. Died on 13 September 1704 in Wrentham, 51 years old. Buried in Wrentham Center Cemetery, Wrentham.
Michael died on 25 March 1654[/55] in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.6 He was only 33 years old.
An article in the Connecticut Nutmegger reports,
"The inventory of his estate was taken 31 1m 1654 (prob. 31 March 1654/5) by Eleazer Lusher, Francis Chickering, Jno X Dwight, Petter X Woodward, £164.09.10. Power of Administration granted 26 April 1654 (sic) to Mary Metcalf widow in behalfe of her selfe and 5 children, "The Court it meete yt the widdow have £50 out of the estate; ye 4 youngest children £20 apiece. The debts discharged, the Eldest to have the Rest of ye Estate wch the Court conceives byt just bec ye Eldest after ye grandfather Metcalfe deceas is to have another portion by virtue of both Grandfathers agreement" (Reg. 8:128w, 182x, from suffolk Co. Mass. Probate, hereafter SfPr; the Index to Suffolk Probate lists as "Mis'l docket")9
Five months after Michael’s death, the Dedham records show "Christopher Smith & Mary Metcalfe was married the 2 of the 6 mo. (1654)".6
Christopher and Mary had one son, John Smith, born 19 November 1655 in Dedham.6
The Connecticut Nutmegger article also says:
"In his long will of 1 June 1668, Jonathan-1 Farebanck of Dedham made bequests to his wife Grace; to George, a second son; "And then my mind is that my dau. Mary shall have her first payment within the first year of my wives decease, otherwise shee is to tarry till the second yeare. I give my dau. Mary, the wife of Christopher Smith, the sume of L16 which (is to be) distinct from her husbands Estate, and to bee always at her dispose; this to bee paid in two Equall sumes (and) L3 to purchas her a suite of apparell with, to be paid within Three months next after my decease;" bequests to sons Jonah, Jonathan; to Sarah eldest dau of son John; to sonn in Law Ralph Day, 40s...to each of the fowre Children of the said Ralph, which hee had by my dau. Susan his late wife, 40s; and largest portion to Oldest son John who was to be sole executor; witnesses William Avery and Thomas Medcalfe who deposed 26 June 1668 (SfPr vi:15; abstract from Reg 19:32-4)."9
It sounds like Jonathan was especially concerned about Mary.
Christopher Smith died 7 November 1676 in Dedham.6 Mary Fairbanks Metcalf Smith died 4 June 1684 at Dedham.6 **
There has been a contention about Mary’s death date. A Mary Metcalf is recorded dying on 12 February 1672/3 in Dedham (VR p.13) but it is unlikely that the record would given her name as Metcalf rather than Smith. There is a death of a Mary Smith recorded in the Dedham Vital Records (p. 15) as 10: 3: [16]76 (that is, 10 May 1676). Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America misread that entry as 10 Mar 1675/6 in Dedham. (March is the 1st month on the Julian Calendar in use in 17th century New England.) There is also a 1684 Dedham record (p 20) which says, "Mary Smith, widow, deceased the 4: 4: 84." (that would be 4 June 1684). The Connecticut Nutmegger, Vol. 23 p 68-78 says:
"Mary-2 Fairbanks Smith died between 30 May 1684 (date of her will) and 11 July 1784 (sic – should be 1684) date of inventory; she was of Dedham, relict of Christopher Smith, deceased; she remembered her sons John Smith, Jonathan Metcalf, Eleazer Metcalf, Melatiah Metcalf (Melatiah Fisher mar Eleazer -4- Metcalf), daughter Sarah wife of Robert-2 Ware, daughter Hannah Metcalf (Hannah Kenric mar. Jonathan-4 Metcalf), daughter Mary Ware's two sons, John and Eleazer, and brother John Fairbanks (SfPr #1360)."
The the 4 June 1684 date fits in that window between her will and the inventory of her estate. The JFRC has concluded that is the most reasonable date to use.
Don Blauvelt, in his Findagrave Memorial for Mary Fairbanks also concludes: "Mary (Fairbanks) (Metcalf) Smith d. June 4, 1684 at Dedham."2
Descendants of the Rev. Leonard Metcalf by Howard Metcalfe
Find a Grave # 64231690 by Don Blauvelt
"New England's Generation: The Great Migration and the Formation of Society and Culture in the Seventeenth Century" by Virginia DeJohn Anderson, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1991 pp 140 – 185
Early Records of the Town of Dedham Vol 3
Early Records of the Town of Dedham Vol 2
Early Records of the Town of Dedham Vol 1
Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633 - 1897, by Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks
Oral presentation of the curator of the Fairbank’s House, Dedham Massachusetts.
Connecticut Nutmegger, Vol. 23 p 68-78: