Nathaniel Colburn (1611-1691) and Priscilla Clarke (abt 1620-1692)

{Ellis Ancestors}

Research by Joneen J. Matsen and Carol Walters

Nathaniel Colburn and Priscilla Clarke were among the first of the English settlers of Dedham, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Nathaniel Colburn was the 45th person to sign the Dedham Covenant. On 25 July 1639, Priscilla Clarke and Nathaniel Colburn were married in Dedham, Massachusetts.1 p 126

Over the years, there has been much speculation and misinformation about the parents and birth places of Nathaniel and Priscilla; but more recently some of the questions have been answered. There is a 1611 entry in the parish registers of Woolverstone, Suffolk, England for "Nathaniel the sonne of Leonard Colborne baptized the 10 of May." There is another entry for "1601 Leonard Colborne and Sara[h] Lewes both single married the 24 of August". That Nathaniel the son of Leonard and Sarah is the Nathaniel of Dedham Massachusetts is verified by the will of "Sarah Colborn of Woolverston … spinst[er]," (a daughter of Leonard and Sarah). It was written 13 March 1672, and bequeaths "…my house & tenam[en]t with ye ground and all yt pertains to it…Lyeing in Woolverston…unto my Loving Brother Nathaniel Colborn living now in Dedha[m] in New England to be enjoyed by him for ever…"2

Priscilla Clarke’s date and place of birth are still unknown, but she may have been related in some way to the other Clarkes of Dedham.

The Dedham Church Records show, "The wife of Nathaniell Colborne was received into ye [church] ye 23d of ye 8m 1640."4 and "Nathaniell Colborne was received into ye church after long & much inquisition into his case 29th of ye 11m 1640." 4 It would be interesting to know why much inquisition into his case was necessary.

Dedham Town Records show that Nathaniel Colburn was given the assignment, along with five other men, to assist John Oliver in laying out the bounds of Dedham. He was also chosen as a surveyor on other occasions. He was assigned, along with Sergt. Fisher and Peter Woodward to negotiate for the building of a sawmill for the town.5

Nathaniel and Priscilla Colburn had 11 known children born in Dedham:1

  1. Sarah, born 15 April 1640, who married William Partridge, the brother of our ancestor, John Partridge.

  2. Rebeckah, born 17 February 1641/42, who married John Pratt.

  3. Nathaniel, born 3 March 1643/44, who married Mary Brooks

  4. Priscilla, born 1 April 1646, who married Joseph Morse.

  5. John Colburn, born 29 July 1648, who married Experience Leland.

  6. Mary Colburn, born 21 January 1650/51, who married John Richards.

  7. Hannah Colburn, born 20 January 1652/53, who married Thomas Alderidge.

  8. Our ancestor, Samuel Colburn, born 25 January 1654/55, who married Mercy Partridge.

  9. Deborah Colburn, born 28 January 1656/57, who married Dea. Joseph Wight.

  10. Benjamin Colburn, born 24 September 1659, who married Abiah Fisher, the daughter of our ancestor, Anthony Fisher.

  11. Lieut. Joseph Colburn, born 1 December 1662, who married Mary Holbrook.

Remarkably, all 11 live to adulthood, married and had children.

Nathaniel Colburn died 14 May 1691 at 79 years old in Dedham, Priscilla Clarke Colburn died the following year, on 12 August 1692 in Dedham.1

Sources

  1. Early Records of the Town of Dedham Vol. 1

  2. New England Historical Genealogical Register Vol. 153 p 180

  3. New England Historical Genealogical Register Vol 152 pp 3-23

  4. Dedham, MA: Church and Cemetery Records 1638-1845: from AA. Dedham Church Records p 24:

  5. Early Records of the Town of Dedham, Vol 3.