Richard Truesdell

     Richard was born before 11 October 1606 in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. On 11 October 1606, he was christened in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. In April 1630, Richard left his home in England aboard one of the ten vessels of the Winthrop fleet, bound for New England. Listed among the passengers was Richard Truesdell aged 24 years. They arrived at the Boston Harbor in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.. Richard married Mary Hood before 1646 in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. She was married when Governor Winthrop referred to Mary as Sister Truesdell. He became a freeman of the colony 4 March 1634. On 27 May 1634, "Richard Trewsdale and Margaret Burnes, servants to our teacher John Cotton" were admitted members of the First Church. Cotton, who had been vicar of St. Botolph's from 1612 to 1633, migrated with some three hundred other non-conformists and was minister of the First Church of Boston, Massachusetts from 1633 to 1652. He was at first was a butcher in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1650 he was chosen deacon in the First Church ained as such until 1669 when he seceded to the Third or Old South Curch. At first Deacon not a party in the church dissension but as the controversy continued he espoused the cause and became its leader. Richard made his will on 9 September 1669. In it, he made provision for his wife, Mary & bequeathed to "my cozen Samuell Truesdall -- fity pounds in sterl money either at his marriage or half a yeare after my decease -- and that they divide equally my dwelling house after my wife' decease, cozen Rebecca Trewsdall £40 half a year after (his) decease. To my cozen Thomas Trewsdale and Richard Trewsdale each 20 shillings". Richard departed this life before 5 December 1671 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He was buried 5 December 1671. His will was probated on 4 January 1672. Edward Rainsford having deposed on 29 December 1671 that Deacon Truesdell had stated verbally that his "Kinsman William Gilbert" (then husband of Rebecca) was to have choice as to the end of the house desired. This was further defined by Peter Brackett and Jacob Elliott to be the new or south end. Richard Truesdell's estate inventoried £916.1.0.