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Note: These articles were originally published by The Connecticut Society of Genealogists in the Connecticut Nutmegger, volume 22 (1989-1990), issues 24 & 25;
Richard Seymour's Father
| Richard Seymour's Father by S. Allyn Peck, 1989 Connecticut Nutmegger, volume 22, issue 24 from The Connecticut Society of Genealogists |
Reputable genealogists galore have stated that Robert Seamer, father of Richard Seymour the Colonial American immigrant, was buried in England without making a will. I therefore have qualms about asserting the contrary. Where such a will should be expected to be, the Bishop of London's Commissary Court of Essex and Hertfordshire, it isn't. But other courts of probate there abound. While indexing and abstracting the records of the Consistory Court of London including occasional Essex and Herfordshire wills, I was startled to see peering at me the recognizable name and place: Robert Seamer of Sabrudsworth in the County of Hertfd. Appreciating the significance of the find in the Register Allen at folio 336, I made the copy annexed herewith.
| T Robrti Seamer | Memorand that the xxth Day of August Anno Dni 1637 Robert Seamer of Sabrudsworth in the County of Hertfd Shooemaker beinge sicke in bodye but of good & perfect remembrance Did make & Declare his will nuncupative by wordes of mouth in manner & effect followinge that is to say first he bequeathed his soule to God & his body to the earth to bee Decentlie buried; And hee willed & bequeathed all his moveable goodes whatsoever hee had in this present world as well within Dores as without vnto Elizabeth his lovinge wife; for the terme of her naturall life shee payinge & Discharging his Debtes & funerall charges And the remaynder of his goods over & besides to pay his Debtes and funerall charges after the Decease of his wife hee willed to his sonne Richard Seamer And hee appointed the said Elizabeth his Executor And this hee published to bee his very will & mynde, in the prnce & hearing of vs Willm Waller & John Waller. (Probated 10 Nov. 1637) |
The will leans to the presumption that indeed Richard Seymour of Norwalk, Conn. was an only child as Nature prescribes for some couples; and excludes other contemporary Seamers in America and Hertfordshire, England, dangled like wash on a clothes line in the New England Genealogical Register volume 71 as sister and brothers. The will makes very unlikely that these random contemporary individuals are his progeny.
Additional Notes on S. Allyn Peck's Article
| Additional Notes on S. Allyn Peck's Article by Brainerd T. Peck, 1989 Connecticut Nutmegger, volume 22, issue 25 from The Connecticut Society of Genealogists |
Richard Seymour (or Seamer) was bapt. 27 Jan. 1604/5 at Sawbridgeworth, co. Hertfordshire, England, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Waller) Seamer. Apparently he came to New England in 1638, was in Hartford, Conn. in 1639 and Norwalk by 1651. He died at Norwalk 10 Oct. 1655. Mr. S. Allyn Peck of New York City has been researching the origin of many of the first families of Fairfield County, Conn. by examining English records. He has kindly furnished the Connecticut Society of Genealogists Inc. with a copy of the hitherto unknown will of Robert Seamer, the father of Richard, the immigrant to New England. Very likely the William and John Waller, witnesses to Robert Seamer's nuncupative will, were brothers or other close relatives of Elizabeth (Waller) Seamer. Robert Seamer, the father, was buried at Sawbridgeworth 23 August 1637.