Joseph Farnsworth of Dorchester, MA the 1st person bearing the name Farnsworth known in this country. He is first heard of there abt 1632 but prob. came over with the Dorchester company in 1628 tho perhaps not in the 1st vessel. He was admitted freeman Mar 14, 1638/9. The name is spelled in the records as "ffarnworth". He d. Jan 12, 1659 and his will was proved and is recorded in Suffolk Registry of Wills, vol. 1, folio 327 and printed in the NEHGS General Register, vol 9 page 140. Joseph's 1st wife Elizabeth, surname unknown. His 2nd wife was Mary, widow of John Long. After Joseph's death his widow soon m. John Wilcox then a resident of Dorchester. She was executor of her husband, Joseph Farnsworth's
will. Joining her husband Wilcox she made a deed of part of Joseph's land, April 20, 1660 to William Pond (see Suffolk Deeds, B.VII, folio 296) She died 1671 in Middletown, CT. |