My Family Tree

BIRTH: Birth may be in Ipswich.

BIOGRAPHY:
From "Early days in New England": On Jan. 5, 1641, HE received lot no. 6, which is 8 rods in breath, for planting

In 1645, Thomas Stebbins and William Warrener were chosen assurveyors for Springfield, MA. After this date his name appears frequently in town records, indicating that he was quite a prominent citizen. He received several different grants of land over the years, and he served as townsman, or selectman in 1652, 1653, and 1655. In addition, he served as the Towne Measurer in 1654, 1672, 1674, 1675, 1681, and 1682 (Greenlee, Ralph Stebbine & Greenlee, Robert Lemuel, The Stebbins Genealogy, 1904, p. 65). He took the oath of allegiance along with other Springfield inhabitants on 3 Dec 1678. John Pynchon performed that duty.

Sept. 24, 1653: John Pynchon bought Nonatuck of the Indians; a large tract on the west side of the Connecticut River, including Northampton and other towns. The Sachems, of Chiefs, who signed the deed, were Chickwallopp, or Wawhillowa, Nenessehalant, Nissicohee, and Paquahalant. The witnesses were Elizur Holyoke, Henry Burt, Thomas Cooper, and Thomas Stebbins.

Thomas is listed among those who served under Capt. William Turner against the Indians in the Turner's Falls Fight, 19 May 1676, Upper Falls of the Connecticut River, Massachusetts. Negotiations with the Indians had begun in 1676, but the Americans decided to attack after the Indians took about 70 head of cattle in Hatfield. The Americans attacked while the Indians slept, and they destroyed the Indian village.

Thomas and his wife were brought before a grand jury, along with other citizens, on 26 March 1676. They were accused of extravagancies not becoming a wilderness state: "for wearing of silk & yt in a flouting manner & attire for Long haire & other extravegancies, Contrary to honest & Labor Order & Demeanor not Becoming a Wilderness State at Least ye Professional of Christianity & Religion" (Greenlee & Greenlee, 1904, p. 70).

According to Burt (Burt, Henry M., The First Century of the History of Springfield, Vol. II, Springfield, MA, 1898), Thomas was probably a tailor, judging by the items purchased from John Pynchon. He opened an account in Aug 1652 and by the following Feb. it amounted to over 14 pounds. One of the items shown in John Pynchon's account book is "Delivered to Thomas Stebbins 54 yds of white shag cloth for wastecoates & Stockens..." Later he delivered to Pynchon 17 doz. caps and over one hundred "wastecoates."

From Descendants of Deacon Samuel Wright: Documented events in his life were:
1. Immigration; 1634; Roxbury, Suffolk Co., MA 10. Listed as a passenger, age 14, on the FRANCIS which left Ipswich, England in April 1634, along with parents Rowland & Sarah Stebbins and siblings, Sarah (11), Elizabeth (6) & John (8)
2. Town Office; 2 Nov 1647; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. "Thomas Stebinges was Sworne Constable according to the oath of the Generall Court: under Mr. Nowells hand."
3. Employment; 25 Jul 1653; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 4. [torn]n accot of what I haue laid out [torn] Mill dam 25 July 1653 pd Goodm Stebbins for 7 d 00 11 08
4. Oath of Freemanship/Allegiance; 24 Apr 1654; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. "(before us John Pynchon & Elizur Holyoke) Sworne to be freemen of this Jurisdiction.": Thomas Stebbins "made free in the Bay"
5. Provided Bond; 24 Mar 1654/55; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. Joined with Deacon Samuel Wright in providing bond that Samuel's son, Samuel Wright Jr., would abide by the order to support the illegitimate child that he fathered upon Mary Burt.
6. Jury Duty; 27 Sep 1659; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3.
7. Jury Duty; 7 Apr 1660; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. Served on the jury investigating the death by drowning of Ebenezer Herman, youngest child of John Herman who was found dead in the brook in Nathaneell Pritchard's yard. The death was ruled accidental.
8. Jury Duty; 26 Mar 1661; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3.
9. Jury Duty; 30 Sep 1662; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA.
10. Lawsuit; 30 Sep 1662; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. Thomas Stebbin Plantiffe contra Widow Sacket defendant in action of debt with damages to the vallue of Three pounds: In this last action the July fynd for the Plantiffe vizt Thomas Stebbin the summe of forty shillings and the coust of the Corte vizt 10s for the entry of the action.
11. Military Service; 30 Sep 1662; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. Chosen to be the "Eldest Serjeant" of the Springfield Train Band.
12. Served as Attorney; 17 Mar 1662/63; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. "Serjant Stebbins of Sprinfeild Atturney for Mr. Goodwin of Hadley complaynes against Widdow Sackett late of Sprinfeild Admistratrix and William Blomfeild Administrator to the estate of Symon Sackett deceased in an action of debt due upon account together with damage to the value of Six and Thirty shiflings."
13. Mention in Will, Inv. or Prob.; 1 Jan 1668/69; Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA 11.
14. Signed Petition; 2 Feb 1668/69; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 12. Signed a petition protesting the imposition by England of customs upon goods being exported into and from Massachusetts Colony.
15. Employment; 10 Mar 1671/72; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 13. From John Pynchon's Account books: Accounts Paid out for John Artsell [n.d. but before 25 May 1671]
To Tho Stebbings Jun 01 00 00 Volume V, Part 1, 1672 - 1693 . Page 156 [p 421] Accounts Paid out for "My Son John Pynchon DR" March 10 1671/72 To paymt for you to Tho Stebbing 01 07 00
16. VR - Marriage; 19 Sep 1672; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 14. Thomas Stebbings Jun. & Abigall Munn Joined in Mariage Sept. 19 1672
There is also a record for Lt. Thomas Stebbins & Abigail Mun widow for 15 Dec 1676
17. Military Service; 19 May 1676; Upper Falls of the Connecticut River, MA 15. Listed in 1736 as being among those who fought under Capt. Wm. Turner against the Indians in the Falls Fight.
18. Oath of Freemanship/Allegiance; 1 Jan 1678/79; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 16.
19. Lawsuit; 23 Sep 1680; Springfield, Hampden Co., MA 3. John Pope plantiff against Leiutenant Thomas Stebbins for Taking him off from a peice of Joinery worke and promising him sattisfaction which he now refuses: to the Damadge of said Pope 39s. Leiutenant Stebbins not owning it and noe profe being made either of Damage nor yet of any promise made by Leiutenant Stebbins to make him sattisfaction: I find of the defendant costs.

DEATH: After the death of Thomas, who died intestate, an inventory was done, and his sons agreed on the division of the estate in March, 1683-84. On Oct. 16, 1683, The sons agreed to pay their step-mother a sum of 17 pounds, 12 shillings, but the payment was in corn, port, and neat cattle. Abigail relinquished her interest in the house and the sons paid her 40 pounds and "a bed stead with a cord in it." Finally, the sons agreed that "there shall be one cow wintered by ye said heirs... for one winter and when it is said paid to the widow or Relict of their father it is intended they shall complete the payment unto the heirs of the widdow."