Richard Rich (about 1635 - 1690) Part Three

Thee post are in reverse order now so they will later appear in correct order in the archives (see Agust 20 and 22 for more). Here is a note on Richard Rich’s origins:

Richard Rich was born about 1635 and was probably the son of another Richard who came to Dover Neck, NH in 1625. However, this needs to be confirmed. The older Richard married Sarah York before 1635. He was a son of Edward (or Edwin) Rich who was a son of Robert Rich, First Earl of Warwick in 1616. Robert was President of Plymouth Colony and a grandson of Richard Rich, the Lord Chancellor, born 1498 who was one of the wealthiest men in England.

Note on Thomas Roberts, father-in-law of Richard Rich:

Thomas Roberts, born 1600, Colonial Governor of Dover, New Hampshire, was one of the earliest settlers on Dover Neck, New Hampshire. He settled at the Point in 1623, in company with Edward and William Hilton (who became his brothers-in-law), being the only settlers there at the time. Land which he occupied was preserved in the Roberts family in uninterrupted succession for two centuries. In 1638 the people of Dover chose him "President of the Court" in place of Captain John Underhill, whom they had expelled for his various crimes. In 1640 he was elected Governor. Thomas Robert's people came from Worcestershire to London, and their ancestors came from Haverford, Wales. Thomas Roberts was a member of the Fishmongers Guild in London.

In 1626, he married Rebecca Hilton (1602-1673) from Wearmouth, Durham, England, sister of Thomas’ two co-founders of Dover Point. They had eleven children: Elisabeth, William, Esther, Jane, John, Ann, Thomas, Hester, Anna, Elizabeth, Sarah.

Comments

[andrea]

Dear Bill Ives,

You have a very informative and well-organized website.

I had a question regarding some Hilton family members that you referred to in your Ives Family Blog.

You mentioned Rebecca Hilton (1602-1673) and her spouse Governor Thomas Roberts (1600-1674), who were the in-laws of Richard Rich (abt 1635-1690). You wrote that Rebecca Hilton was the sister of Thomas's 2 co-founders of Dover: Edward and William Hilton.

Do you know whether Rebecca Hilton and her brothers Edward and William were also the children of Mark Hilton (1560-1605) who's parents were William Hilton (1516-1562) and Margaret Metcalfe?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks:)

[bill Ives]

Andrea

Thanks for your interest. All the information I have is listed on the blog. You might look at my resources for some ideas. There is also a Rich Family Association that might know more. Good luck. Bill

[Elizabeth Beyus]

After much research by many members of the Rich Family Association, there appears to be NO factual evidence to back up the assumption that Richard Rich, husband of Sarah Roberts, was the son of Richard Rich and Sarah York. There are NO documents to even prove Sarah York's existence. Also, there is nothing to back up the assumption that Richard belongs to the line from Earl of Warwick. Significant research by many of our members has not been able to establish that link. Many of us at RFA have come to the realization that Richard Rich of Dover Neck, NH, and Eastham, MA, is where the line starts. We can not take him back any further than that.

[Bill Ives]

Elizabeth thanks so much for your clarification. As I wrote, the question of Richard's father needs to be confirmed. You have disconfirmed it so this is very useful.