Person Page - 2409

       Dea. Edward/1 Converse was born in England circa 1590, known from a suit in Dec 1658 in which he gave his age as "about 68."¹ Probably then of Shenfield, Essex, he married (1), in England, Sarah (–?–).^2,3 Edward Converse, Mrs. Sarah Converse, and sons Phineas, John, Josiah and James came with the Winthrop Fleet in 1630 to Massachusetts Bay, where they settled at Charlestown.^2,4 Edward was included on a list of "such as desire to be made ffreemen" of Massachusetts Bay," 19 Oct 1630, and so admitted 18 May 1631.⁵ On 14 Jun 1631, he was licensed by the court to operate a ferry between Charlestown and Boston.⁶ 2 Jun 1640, he was fined 10s "because the ferry had bene neglected."⁷ 5 Nov 1640, the Church of Charlestown chose seven men, Edward Convers the first-named of these, as commissioners or agents for the erection of a church and town upon the recent grant of Charlestown Village, which became Woburn.⁸ 17 Jun 1651, Edward Converse of Woburn, yeoman, sold to Henry Brooks of Woburn seven acres.^9,10 Edward Converse, about 68, was a witness in the slander suit brought by Captain Edward Johnson, Dec 1658, against Ensign John Carter.^1,11
     10 Mar 1662, Edward Converse, aged 73, and Dea. John/1 Mousall, aged about 66, deposed, "they being two of the selectmen for the town of Woburn from the beginning of the plantation to this present time," that with James Thompson Sr., John Tidd Sr., Nicholas Davis, Mr. John Green and Mr. Nicholas Trarice, they had previously exchanged lots granted to them in Charlestown "now lying within the said town of Woburn" for conveniency of arable pasture and meadow lands in Woburn proportionately with the rest of the inhabitants. "[T]he said town of Woburn have enjoyed for near 20 years past without let or molestation in their improvement of them," the deponents stated.¹²
     Edward Converse's wife died at Woburn 14 Jan 1661/62.¹³ There he married (2), 9 Sep 1662, Joanna Sprague.¹⁴ There he died 10 Aug 1663.¹⁵ His widow died his relict at Charlestown 24 Feb 1680.¹⁶
     "There is evidence that indentured servitude was known among at least one generation of Converses (the family of the first house-builder). The will of Samuel Converse (1637-1669) includes a 'man servant' as part of his estate. This is probably not an African slave, since he is not identified as a Negro and since a time period of 'about a year' is specified in connection with this servant."¹⁷
     See The Great Migration Begins, 1634-35, 461, and Woburn Records, 3:325–331, "Notes on the Family of Dea. Edward Convers" by Alfred C. Vinton.⁹

       Dea. Josiah/2 Converse was born in England circa 1619.¹ He came to Massachusetts Bay with his parents in the Winthrop Fleet of 1630.^3,4 He married, 26 Mar 1651 at Woburn, MA, Esther/2 Champney, daughter of Elder Richard/1 Champney and Jane (–?–).⁵ Josiah Converse, about 40, was a witness, Dec 1658, in the slander suit of Captain Edward Johnson against Ensign John Carter.^6,7 9 Jun 1676, appointed one of Woburn's tithingmen, "who by law are to haue the oversight of their naighbours, and see that they keepe good orders in their howses."⁸ He died at Woburn 3 Feb 1689/90.¹

       Elder Richard/1 Champney married, in England, Jane (–?–).¹ Rich^rd Champnes of Cambridge was one of a committee, appointed by the towns of Boston and Cambridge, MA, to settle their boundaries, which reported its findings to the General Court 7 Oct 1641.² He was ruling elder of the church at Cambridge.³ He died at Cambridge 26 Nov 1669.⁴