Mary Harvey

     Mary was born circa 5 June 1605 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England. On 5 June 1605, she was christened in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England, at St. Mary's Church.¹ Mary married William Beardsley on 26 January 1631 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England, at St. Mary's Church. On 2 April 1635, Mary & her husband, William, left London aboard the ship, "Planter", under the command of Captain Nicholas Trerice, enroute for New England. Before being permited to board, William had to present his certificate from the minister of St. Albans in Hertfordshire and attestations from the justices of peace according to the Lords order. Among the passengers listed on the ship were William Beadsley aged 30 years, Mrs. Mary Beadsley aged 26 years, Mary aged 4 years, John aged 2 years, Joseph aged 6 months. Also aboard this ship was Mary's brother Richard Harvie & possibly her sister, Ann. The ship arrived at Boston the 7th of June..^2,3 He was a mason. They first lived in Concord, Massachusetts, where he was made freemam on 7 December 1636. By 3 October 1639, the couple had moved to a place in Connecticut that William named "Stratford", (he was the founder) it is now called Bridgeport. William served for eight terms within thirteen years in court sessions; it is obvious that he was a man of great influence and worth to this New England settlement. In the old colonial documents he was often referred to as the "Goodman Beardslee". Mary's husband, William, died before 6 July 1661 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, leaving her a widow. Mary departed this life after 6 July 1661 in Connecticut.