Ruhamah Jones1
F, b. circa 1650, d. after 1735
Ruhamah was born circa 1650 in Yarmouth, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Teague Jones. Ruhamah married Joseph Nickerson, son of William Nickerson II and Anne Busby, before 1677 in Yarmouth, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Ruhamah was a very colorful person as well as quite beautiful in appearance. She has been described as a person of a “disagreeable nature”. She harassed her neighbors, both Indian and white to the point that people made every attempt to stay out of her way in order not to provoke her. She was said to have created havoc with neighbor's wash, their best plants, and the fruits of their orchards. It was thought by many that she was involved in a fire that burned a neighbor's barn down. This last incident went to court, but eventually no verdict was rendered. This may have been more because of sympathy for her husband, as he would have been liable, then anyone's belief of her innocence.
In 1735, the town of Hartwich was ordered to pay for her care while she lived with John Eldredge. Ruhamah's husband, Joseph, died between 1725 and 1731 in Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, leaving her a widow. Ruhamah departed this life after 1735 in Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. She was buried at Monomoit, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, in Burial Hill. She lived to a “great age” and at the end of her life spent all of her time sitting in a chair. At her death it was decided by the town to bury her in “the same crooked position.
In 1735, the town of Hartwich was ordered to pay for her care while she lived with John Eldredge. Ruhamah's husband, Joseph, died between 1725 and 1731 in Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, leaving her a widow. Ruhamah departed this life after 1735 in Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. She was buried at Monomoit, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, in Burial Hill. She lived to a “great age” and at the end of her life spent all of her time sitting in a chair. At her death it was decided by the town to bury her in “the same crooked position.
Family | Joseph Nickerson b. Dec 1647, d. bt 1725 - 1731 |
Citations
- [S290] Nickerson Family Association, The Nickerson Family, page 23 - His wife, Ruhamah, apparently was one of the most colorful if not the most admirable of our ancestors! She was a "great beauty", but "of a disagreeable nature" and delighted in harassing others, so that both her Indian and white neighbors tried not to offend her. It is said that, if provoked, she would play havoc with their washing, their choice plants, and the fruits of their harvest. She was ready for an argument or a fight at any time. She was even suspected of complicity when Edward Bangs' barn was burned - after they had quarrelled. Upon subsequent trial, Ruhamah was said to be ill and unable to attend court. For Joseph, an adverse action regarding security for his wife would cause him to lose his estate and render them destitute for life. This affair was decided favorably after he petitioned for an abatement.
Ruhamah lived to a "great age", and had remained sitting for so many years that, at her death, it was thought best to bury her in "the same crooked position" - on Burial Hill, south of Ryder's Cove where many early Nickersons were buried.