David ALDEN

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The "Genealogical Letter" written by John Alden on 14 April 1801 to Zephaniah Leonard, Esqr., of Raynham, merely states that "David married Judah Paddleford-the genealogy of this family you can give more correct than myself" (MD, 6:111). David served on jury duty in December 1728 (Plymouth Co Ct recs, 2:92).

The will of John Alden of Middleborough, dated 23 September 1730 (proved 3 April 1731), names son David (4th share of 80 acres in "pachade men" in addition o fifty acres, etc., already given him by deed). David was appointed a co-executor with his mother, but renounced executorship and Hannah was appointed 3 April 1731 (Plymouth Co PR, #132; MD, 23:111-15). On 1 January 1732, John Alden, between the age of fourteen and twenty-one, chose David Alden of Middleborough as his guardian and David was also appointed guardian to Ebenezer Alden, under fourteen (Plymouth Co PR, #133; MD, 23:115-116). David Alden witnessed the will of his mother, Hannah Alden of Middleborough, dated 8 September 1732 in which he is not named (Plymouth Co PR, #101; MD, 23:116).

On 5 September 1746 Phineas Pratt; Ebenezer Barrow and Sarah his wife; Elizabeth Pratt, widow of John Pratt of Middleboro; Jabez Pratt and Nathan Pratt, all of Middleboro; and Nathaniel Washburn and wife Mary of Bridgewater quitclaimed to David Alden of Middleboro "land in Middleborough that belonged to father Samuel Pratt" (Plymouth Co LR, 38:231).

David and Judah Alden joined Isaac Backus's Titicut Church on 6 May 1748 their sons David Alden, Jr., and solomon Alden, and Davids brother Samuel, were among the charter members of the church on 8 March 1748. David and Samuel were received by the Council on 4 October 1751 and renewed 2 September 1752 (Titicut Church, 27, 29-30).

As a member of Isaac Backus's congregation, David is mentioned in the Reverend's diary a number of times. He "was one of the ore ardent New Lights in Titicut . . . . He signed the 1754 Separate petition to the General Court for relief from religious taxes. Apparently he did not become an antipedobaptist, for there is no record of his joining Backus's First Baptist Church.... David Alden, Jr., became a leading figure in Backus's church. The Aldens were involved in the iron trade, and Backus did some business with them on behalf of his brother's ironworks in Norwich" (Backus Diary, 24). In his record of deaths, Isaac Backus reported "His Son rufus was taken sick with ye bloody flux (dysentery) at Ashford & he set away to see him on Oct 12, 1754, & stayed till Rufus got better & then returned on Oct 21, & he was taken with ye same disease himself before he got home, tho he had it moderately & he got better, his Children Hannah & Silas were taken with it, after which David was taken on Nov 10. Peter was seized ye next Friday & Hannah & Phebe both died on thanksgiving day, Nov. 28. About that time, Job & Abigail were seized, Huldah died Dec 4, 1754 & her Mother & Solomon were taken about that Season. A distressing house indeed; but ye rest of 'em recovered in a fortnight or 3 weeks" (Isaac Backus "bills of Mortality"). In his diary he wrote on 4 November 1754 "Two of David Aldens Children ware seized with the feaver and bloody flux which has swept off So many in Connecticut lately; and I fear is a presage of that terrible distempers spreading among us here." On Saturday, 23 November, " preacht at the funeral of Peter, Son to David Alden who died yesterday morning with the blood flux. Five more of the family are now Sick with the same distemper. this disease has been terrible in Connecticut, but this family is the first which has had it among us...." On Friday, 29 November, he wrote "Just at night I attended the funeral of Br. D. Aldens 2 daughters Hannah and Phebe who were both laid in one grave. Hannah died a little before midnight lastnight. Three Children he has now buried in less than a week, who never buried a Child before." On Wednesday, 4 December, "Went to preach a leacture at Br. Eddy's, and learned just before meeting that Huldah Alden died this forenoon which seemed very shocking...Next day I went and preacht at Huldah's funeral from Job.23.3.4." Finally, on 3 September 1763 Backus recorded "Mr. David Alden (Sr.) died the 24th of Aug. A happy change I believe to him" (Backus Diary, 353, 356-57).

On 30 December 1755 David Alden and Joseph Alden of Middleborough sold to John Alden of Middleborough one half of the 10th lot of cedar swamp in the 26 Men's Purchase (Plymouth Co LR, 44:35).

On 7 August 1758 David was appointed guardian to the children of his brother-in-law Francis Eaton: Elijah, Susanna, Benjamin, and Mary (MF, 10:27).

He is probably the David Alden who bought part of the homeplace in Middleborough from John Eaton of Greenwich (probably his nephew) (Plymouth Co LR, 68:63; MF, 10:81).

David Alden of Middleborough bought land in Ashford, Connecticut, 2 June 1750, from William Metcalfe of Lebanon, Connecticut (Ashford LR, H:22).

David Alden gave his son Solomon a double portion of his estate in Titicut in 1751 (Plymouth Co LR, 41:197); his son rufus 100 acres in Ashford, and 2/3 of a sawmill on 30 December 1752 (Ashford LR, H:156); his son David, of Middleborough, 40 acres bought of brother Ebenezer 12 December 1753 (Plymouth Co LR, 43:10); and son Job, of Middleborough, land in Titicut bought of Joseph Eaton and wife, 14 August 1760 (Plymouth Co LR, 48:232).

The will of David Alden of Middleborough, dated 14 May 1763, proved 24 August 1763, names "my loving wife Judith," his sons Solomon (land in Bridgewater already given by deed of gift), David (land in Middleborough already given by deed of gift), and Silas (land in Middleborough), and his daughter Abigail (two cows, six sheep and other items), and incidentally his brother John and his brother Joseph's homestead. "...my lot as ashford I give to my five children to be Equally Divided between then..." The account was made 5 November and sworn 7 November 1763 (Plymouth Co PR, #77, 16:503-04).

On 14 May 1768 Solomon Alden of Bridgewater, husbandman; David Alden, yeoman; Job Alden, yeoman; Henry Leonard, Jr., husbandman, and wife Silence of Middleborough; Zephaniah Leonard Esq. and wife Abigail of Raynham - with dower released by Sarah Alden, wife of Solomon; Rhoda Alden, late wife of David and Lucy Alden, wife of Job - sold to Joseph Leonard, Jr., of Bridgewater 100 acres and dwelling house on Mansfield town line, "the land our father David Alden bought of Mr. Metcalf of Lebanon and gave to us by will" (Ashford LR, 11:11).

Family/Spouse: Judith PADELFORD. Judith (daughter of Jonathan PADELFORD, III and Hannah KING) was born in 1708 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA; died on 12 Jan 1802 in Middleboro, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Solomon joined Isaac Backus' Titicut Church with his parents on 6 May 1748, withdrew 23 April 1752, then confessed and renewed 2 September 1752.

Solomon Alden of Middleborough bought land, sawmill, dam, etc., in Ashford, Connecticut, from Jacob Dana of Ashford, yeoman, 12 March 1750. On 18 March 1751, Solomon Alden of Ashford, sold this property to David Alden of Middleborouh, for the same amount, L330, he had paid for it (Ashford LR, H:53, 85). On 28 February 1751 David Alden, of Middleborough, gave to his son solomon 105 acres being his double portion of estate in Titicut and another 37 acres (Plymouth Co LR, 41:197). In his will of 14 May 1763 David Alden of Middleborogh confirmed to Solomon the land he had given him in Bridgewater and he was to share with his siblings in the lot at Ashford (Plymouth Co PR, #77, 16:503-04). On 14 May 1768 Solomon Alden of Bridgewater, husbandman participated in a deed with his siblings to sell the land in Ashford that had been his father's; Solomon's wife Sarah released her dower rights (Ashford LR, 11:11).

Solomon Alden was a signer of the statement of certain Middleborough citizens favoring annexation to Titicut, 11 August 1755; his autograph is on this document (MSA, 13:669).

On 14 May 1768, Solomon Alden, husbandman, of Bridgewater, sold 100 acres and a dwelling on the Mansfield town line in Ashford to Joseph Leonard, Jr. of Bridgewater; also signed by his siblings and their spouses (Ashford LR, 11:11)

He is probably the Solomon Alden, of Bridgewater, who was in the American Revolution as a second lieutenant in Capt. Abraham Washburn's company, Col. Edward Mitchell's regiment. He enlisted on 4 arch 1776 and was discharged on 10 March 177 with service of six days; the company marched o Horse Neck in Braintree. He was also in the 11th company, 3rd Plymouth Co. regiment and was commissioned on 23 March 1776; he was reported resigned (MSSR, 1:111).

In 1790 the household of Solomon Alden of Bridgewater included four males over 16 and three females (M637-4, p71). In 1800 there was only one male and one female, both over 45 (M32-16 p.49). The two Solomon Alden's listed in Bridgewater in 1810 are presumably for this man and his son. His household probably has one male 10-16, one male 16-26, one male over 45; two females 26-45, and one female over 45 (M252-21 p.41).

Solomon Alden of Bridgewater, yeoman, made his will 27 November 1813, proved 7 February 1814, mentioned but did not name his wife; left to each daughter $500; Sarah Shaw wife of Azel, Molly Alden wife of elijah, Bethaniah White wife of Eliphalet, and Hannah Miller wife of Seth, Jr.; and property to his sons Amasa, Solomon, and Noah; Alexander having already received his portion (Plymouth Co PR, #182, 45:231, 232, 47:188).

At the Court of Common Pleas held in Plymouth in August 1817, Elijah Alden of Middleborough, yeoman, and Molly his wife sued Amaza Alden of Bridgewater, yeoman,executor of the estate of Solomon Alden of Bridgewater, yeoman, for two sums of $500 and interest due Molly under Solomon's will dated 27 November 1813. the sums were supposed yo have been paid one year after both Solomon and his wife were dead, with the second sum due only on condition that Elijah pay a note for L222.8s. with interest. Solomon and his wife had been dead more than one year and Elijah had pad the note. The court ruled for the defendant; the plaintiff's appealed, but no further record appears (Plymouth Co Ct Recs CD, vol. 13(26:373-378).

Solomon married Sarah HALL on 9 Jul 1755 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of James HALL and Sarah WILLIAMS) was born on 24 Feb 1729/30 in Raynham, Massachusetts; died on 28 Aug 1815 in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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David joined Isaac Backus's Titicut Church with his parents on 6 May 1748 (Titicut Parish Church, 27).

His father David Alden of Middleborough, deeded 12 December 1753 to David of Middleborough, forty acres he bought of his brother Ebenezer (Plymouth Co. LR, 43:10). His father confirmed this land to his son in his will of 14 May 1763, and David was to share with his siblings in the lot in Ashford (Plymouth Co PR, #77, 16:503-04). On 14 May 1768 David Alden of Middleborough, yeoman, participated in a deed with his siblings to sell the land in Ashford that had been his father's: David's wife Rhoda released her dower rights (Ashford LR, 11:11).

David Alden, Jr., was a signer of the statement of certain Middleborough citizens favoring annexation to Titicut, 11 August 1755. His autograph is on this document (MSA, 13:6369), The "Diary of Isaac Backus" has many entries for David Alden, including a biography (Backus Diary, 24).

David was a deacon (gravestone Purchade Burial Ground, Middleboro Deaths, 1).

In 1790 David Alden of Middleboro had two males and four females in his household (M637-4, p. 358).

David Alden, yeoman, on 21 Mach 1794, sold to his son Rufus land in Middleborough he had bought of Isaiah Keith and other land given him by his father (Plymouth Co LR, 78:133).

In 1800 the household of David Alden of Middleborough had one male over 45, one female 16-26, and one female over 45 (M32-16, p. 69A). In 1810 there was only one male and one female, both over 45 in David's household; listed next to Andrew Alden (M252-21, p.100).

David Alden of Middleborough, yeoman, made his will 30 November 1813, proved 23 February 1814. In it he named his wife Rhoda (all indoor movables and homestead furniture, all farming tools, neat stock, and the use and improvement of all the real estate); sons Rufus ($5), David (after wife's death, all his land lying north and west of the road which shall include his dwelling house and barn), and Andrew (the remainder of the estate); daughters Huldah Weston ($20) and Rhoda Vaughan ($100)' granddaughter Huldah Butler ($100, 1 cow, and 1 feather bed); and the heirs of Caleb Alden, deceased ($2) (Plymouth Co PR, #78, 45:260-61, 486).

David married Rhoda LEACH on 18 Dec 1755 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Rhoda (daughter of Joseph LEACH and Anna HARRIS) was born about 1737; died on 5 Jul 1814 in Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Rufus resided in Mansfield, Barnard, Bt., and Lebanon, NH. (Royalton VT Hist, 98). On 2 Nov. 1756 Jerusha Alden made the following request: "...I have a desier that you would put my father alden in administrator on the Estate of my husband Rufus alden Late of Ashford Deceast." David Alden of Middleborough signed the bond (Pomfred PD, #65). There were no children.

Family/Spouse: Jerusha BICKNELL. Jerusha (daughter of Zachariah BICKNELL and Katharine TIFFANY) was born on 1 Dec 1739 in Ashford, Connecticut; was christened on 4 Nov 1740 in At home. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Job was a corporal in Capt. Joshua White's company, col. Ebenezer Sprout's Regiment, in the American Revolution; he enlisted on 6 September 1778 and was discharged on 12 September 1778 with service of six days, on an alarm at Dartmouth (MSSR, 1:132).

In 1790, Job Alden of Middleborough had four males over 16, two males under 16, and two females in his household (M637-4, p. 357). In 1800 there was one male under 10, one male 16-26, one male 26-45, one male over 45, one female under 10, one female 10-16, one female 26-45, and one female over 45 (MM32-16, p 69A). In 1810, there was only one male and one female, both over 45 (M252-21 p.102).

Job Alden is mentioned in "The Diary of Isaac Backus (Backus diary, 557, 1311)".

Bond for the estate of job Alden, yeoman, was made 21 march 1825 by Job Alden, Azel Perkins, and Bradford Harlow; order to appraise was given 7 march 1825; inventory was taken 16 March 1825 by Seth Eaton, Andrew Alden, and Solomon Alden, Jr; and dower was given to the widow Lucy 2 April 1825. The real estate was insufficient to divide and was assigned to Ebenezer, he paying the heirs Job Alden, Peter O. Alden, Spooner Alden, Augustus Alden, Phebe Cole wife of Edward, and the heirs at law of Lucy Goodwin, deceased, 1 July 1828 (Plymouth Co PR #124).

Augustus Alden of Hallowell, Maine, made his will 11 Feb 1842, proved 25 Feb 1850, naming his brothers Job, Peter Ebenezer, and Spooner ($1 each); the children of his deceased sisters Lucy Goodwin and Phebe Cole (50 cents each); his nephew Augustus, son of brother Spooner (His library); his nephew Augustus, son of brother Ebenezer (wearing apparel and silver plate); his sisters-in-law Mrs. Lucretia F. Bond and Martha K. Bond (Some of wife's wearing apparel); and his "sister Anna Bond deceased (Kennebec Co PR, 83:12).

Job married Lucy SPOONER in 7 Sep or Oct 1764 in Middleborough, Massachuetts. Lucy (daughter of Ebenezer SPOONER and Mary MORTON) was born about 1743; died on 17 Jul 1833. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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In his will of 14 May 1763 (Proved 24 August 1763) David Alden of Middleborough gave his son Silas land in Middleborough; and Silas was to share with his siblings in the lot in Ashford (Plymouth Co PR #77, 16:503-04).

Silence Alden was appointed administratrix for the estate of her husband, Silas Alden of Middleborough, yeoman, 5 November 1764. the inventory dated 4 February 1765 included L774.2s.4d in real estate. As Silence Leonard, administratrix, she rendered the account, 18 May 1768 (Plymouth Co PR, #180, 17:135, 19:207, 20:331). Silas Alden's share of his father's Ashford, Connecticut, land was signed for by Henery Leonard Jr. husbandman of Middleborough, and Silence Leonard,dated 14 May 1768 (Ashford LR 11:11). Silence Leonard of Middleborough petitioned the court of the third Tuesday of May 1770 to sell real estate of Silas Alden, late of Middleborough yeoman, request signed by her husband Henry Leonard (Suffolk Files, #142,354).

Solomon and David Alden requested that Job Alden be appointed the guardian of the children of their brother Silas. On 22 November 1770 he was appointed the guardian of Roscinda, under 14 years of age, and on 10 December 1770 he was appointed the guardian of Silence, under 14 (Plymouth Co PR, #181).

Silas married Silence DEAN on 7 Sep 1761 in Raynham, Massachusetts. Silence (daughter of Abial DEANE and Abigail SMITH) was born about 1745; died in poss. 1770. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married Zephaniah LEONARD on 29/30 October 1765 in Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachustts. Zephaniah was born on 18 Jan 1736/7 in Raynham, Massachusetts; died on 11 Apr 1814 in Raynham or Dighton, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]