Daniel Hovey

     Daniel Hovey was born in August 1618 at Waltham Abbey, Essex Co, England.¹ He was the son of Richard Hovey. Daniel Hovey was baptized on 9 August 1618 at Waltham Abbey, Essex Co, England. He married Abigail Andrews, daughter of Robert Andrews, circa 1641 at Essex Co, Massachusetts.² Daniel Hovey died on 24 April 1692 at Ipswich, Essex Co, Massachusetts, at age 73.³ His estate was probated on 3 October 1692 at Salem, Essex Co, Massachusetts.³
     Soon after his arrival in Ipswich, the town granted him an acre of land on the south side of the river, and six acres of planting ground on Muddy Creek 5 Feb 1636/7. Soon thereafter, he acquired more and more land. on 4 Mar 1649/50 he was granted a highway to his lot and by 14 Feb 1658/9 built a wharf. He held several offices in Ipswich.
Daniel and his wife, along with five of his youngest children set off for Quaboag in 1668. The two oldest and their families remained in Ipswich. By then he was called Deacon.
He eventually returned to Ipswich and sold off some of his land. He still had a considerable amount of real estate by the time of his death in 1695.⁴
     Daniel Hovey was a prominent member of Ipswich, and held several town offices, selectman, constable and surveyor of highways, and juror.
     He was of Topsfield in 1663 and 1664, and Brookfield in 1668, and Hadley in 1675, but Daniel returned to Ipswich in 1678, after many dealings with the Indians further west. He left a will on 21 March 1691/92; "To my oldest sons Daniel and John Hovey and my daughter Agnes, I have given them their portions of that estate I had to our mutual consent. The one at Ipswich, the other at Topsfield, now in their possession, Abigail paid by my son John to my son Ayers.
To my son Thomas and James his son Daniel, I give all that my upland called Hovey’s Island which with the thatch banks and low marsh belonging to me on the other side of the creek which I allowed Quarter Master Perkins to improve, holding my possession till I had occasion for the same. Also all the houses and Land in Ipswich that I shall not dispose of before death.
I give to my sons Joseph and Nathaniel Hovey one hundred rods of ground apiece. Joseph bounded next to Mr. Emerson’s land from the highway to that land of Daniel Ringe. Nathaniel one hundred rods of my land next to my son Daniel with the dwelling house, barn, part of the orchard to butt on Daniel Ringe, half planting lot, about three acres, with a way to it over the bridge I made to go to it. Three acres at Plumb Island also, which lands I leave in the hands of my executor and over-seers that are left after my death to be disposed of as follows: The children of Joseph Hovey to have an equal proportion of what is left after my death as to their father legatee. The children of my son Nathaniel to have an equal proportion among them, only Nathaniel Hovey the son of Nathaniel Hovey to have a double proportion if he lives to the age of one and twenty. If not, then to be divided amongst the other children of that family.
My movables to my son Nathaniel, those sheep he hath of mine, to his children; my cart and plow, irons, chains, great trammel, great brass Kettle, iron Kettle, little iron pot, my pewter porringer and drinking cup, with one chamber pot, my wife’s wearing apparel to Nathaniel Children.
The other to Joseph his brother’s children: all my wearing cloaths, my great brass pot and pewter quart pot, and my great Bible and books as follows: Come to Christ and Welcome, Cotton on the Covenant, Mather’s seven sermons, to Nathaniel Children.
To Daniel, grandchild those sheep with which ———- and books also, Christian Warfare, Calvin on Job, Ten Divines, The Golden Scepter, with what other books undisposed of by me of mine and such tools for his trade as a suitable of mine.
To Abigail Hodgkins wife of Thomas Hodgkins the brass pan and pewter salt seller; my part of the mare and colt to grandchild Daniel and Ivory.
My interest in Brookfield and Swampfield I give to my son Joseph and Nathaniel’s children.
I make my son Thomas Executor and would have his Nephew (Daniel) in case he lives to the age of being capable to join in the same with him–and he pays out of his part to his brother James and sister Pricilla and John Ayers ten pounds apiece within three years after his possession, and in case of his death, I put James Hovey in his room and let them four equally divide his part.
My bed, bolster and pillow with my green rug, a pair of blankets with the bedstead to Daniel the grandchild.
I would have my son John at Topsfield take his possession along with his books.
I would appoint my loving sons Daniel Hovey and John Hovey to be my overseers of this my last will and see to discharge my funeral charges which I allow four pounds estate and to take an inventory of my estate and to discharge all of my debts and make probate of my will and see his nephews have their equal proportion, Joseph and Nathaniel children who have lately deceased for which I allow my overseers three pounds apiece for their care and trouble.
This is my will as witness my hand and seal:
Daniel Hovey, Sen'r., Aged 73, and going into my 74, this 21 of March 1691-2. Witnesses: Philemon Dane, and Thomas Hodkins, Proved Oct. 3, 1692.⁵