William Titcomb

On 24 March 1633/4 he took the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance at Southampton, England, "to pass for New England in the Mary and John of London, Robert Sayres, master." The majority of his fellow passengers were from Wiltshire and Hampshire. Included in the group were three Puritan parsons, Mr. Thomas Parker, Mr. James Noyes and Mr. John Woodbridge. William Titcomb was one of six who were left behind "to oversee the Chattle (cattle) to pass in the Hercules," John Kiddey, master, which embarked from Southampton on 16 April 1634 Both ships arrived at Boston, New England, in May or early June, 1634, and most of the company went to Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. From there, a year later, they moved a few miles up the coast and founded the village which was to become the town of Newbury.
The name of William Titcomb is in the list of original proprietors who had grants of eighty acres or less. In 1670, the town granted to "William Titcomb and Amos Stickney the little pine swamp, to be their property, with skirts of the common, provided they make and maintain a sufficient fence about the hole for the safety of the cattle from time to time." The pine swamp is the tract of land on the south side of Oak Hill cemetery, and was, it appears, surrounded by the common.
William Titcomb's will, dated 18 September 1676, was probated at Ipswich eight days later. He gave to his eldest daughters, Sarah and Mary, twenty shillings each as they had received their portions during his lifetime' to daughter Elizabeth Bartlett ten pounds she having received part of her portion during his lifetime; to sons Benaiah, William, Thomas and John, and to his other four daughters, Rebecca, Tirzah, Lydia and Anne, twenty pounds each to be paid within one year after his decease to as many as shall be of age, but sons under twenty-one and daughters under eighteen years of age are not to receive their portions until they are of age; to his wife the thirds of his lands and housing during her natural life, then to return to his heir; son Penual to be his heir and executor; in case his heir should die without children, all of his land and housing to be posessed and enjoyed by his son Benaiah. Witnesses: Richard Bartlett, Thomas Bartlett. An inventory was taken on 26 September 1676 by Anthony Somerby, John Bartlett, Sr., Samuel Plumer, Sr., and Richard Bartlett, Sr. His clothing was valued at £10, his housing and lands at £420. There were the usual farm implements, cattle, and furniture. The inventory totalled £829