Elisha Bourne

  General Notes:

Elisha2 Bourne (Richard1), born probably in Sandwich about 1641, died there 21 Dec. 1706 (Sandwich Town Records).

He married there, 26 Oct. 1675, Patience2 Skiffe (Sand­wich Vital Records in Mayflower Descendant, vol. 14, p. 110), born there 25 March 1652, died "Patience Bourne, widow," 25 Oct. 1716, aet. 66[A] (ibid., vol. 29, p. 25), daughter of James1 Skiffe and a sister of Bathsheba Skiffe who married his brother Shearjashuh Bourne (Charles Edward Banks, History of Martha's Vineyard, vol. 3, p. 432).

As we have seen the Rev. Richard Bourne deeded a tract of land in Manomet, 19 May 1677, to this son (Dykes, op. cit., p. 21; also p. 29, passim). Elisha Bourne was propounded freeman 7 June 1681 and his brother Shearjashub's name appears on a list of 6 June 1682 of "such as took up their free­dom." He was appointed Constable of Sandwich 6 June 1683 (Records of the Colony of New Plymouth-Court Orders, 1856, p. 63, 86, 107). Otis (op. cit.) tells us that Elisha2 lived in Manomet near the present (i.e. about 1860) location of the Monument Depot on the Cape Cod Railroad. He served as Deputy to the last Plymouth General Court in 1691.

The earliest Sandwich Church records known to us begin with the ordination of the Rev. Rowland Cotton in 1694. He recorded, 8 Sept. 1695, the baptisms of "Abigail, Barsheba, Hannah & Elisha Bourn." The three eldest children may have been baptized earlier by their grandfather Bourne or by the Rev. John Smith. In 1695 also liberty was granted to Elisha Bourne to set up a grist mill upon Herring River provided the toll shall not exceed 2 quarts per bushel.

The will of "Elisha Bourne of Sandwich," dated 9 June 1698 and proved 3 March 1706/7, gives to his beloved wife Patience for her own use the house that the testator "had of her father James Skeffe now deceased." She was made co-executor with their son Nathan, and was to have the use of much of the real and other property. The lands at Herring River and Mannamet were to be divided between the sons Nathan and Elisha, the former to have the house in which he then dwelt. The son Elisha was to have the house and housing where he then lived, but "in the case my son Elisha should not live to be twenty one years of age or have a child of his own body lawfully be­gotten"-then all real property to the elder son Nathan, still subject to the mother's equity during her life. He willed his own residence and certain lands "to my five daughters if they be then living," but he does not name them. Witnessed by Joanna Cotton, Rowland Cotton, Elizabeth Cotton. When the will was proved Mrs. Cotton was deceased. The inventory, presented 21 Dec. 1706, shows real estate totalling some £500. (Barnstable County Probate, vol. 3, p. 39-40). The identities of the five daughters are made clear in the settlement of their mother's estate:

"Whereas Mrs. Patience Bourne widdow relict of Mr. Elisha Bourne late of Sandwich deceased dyed intestate and was seized of some personal property, being to the value of about £100. 14s. Now know ye that we Nathan Bourne the only son and John Pope who married the oldest daughter of the sd. deceased, in the right of his children which he had by his sd wife & who are all minors; William Bassett and Abigail Bassett his wife another daughter of sd deceased. Seth Pope and Hannah his wife, another daughter. Micah Blackwell and Bathsheba Blackwell his wife, another daughter, all of sd Sandwich and John Parsifal of the town of Barnstable and Mary Parsifal his wife another daughter . being all, as we suppose, by law interested in the Rightfull (division) of the estate left by our sd mother, it being some time since she deceased, being the 25th day of October Last Past, we ... find sd estate is but little indebted & having pd that small matter which the widdow owed aft the time of her decease…." The estate was then divided into six equal parts 6 Aug. 1717 and the agreement signed by Nathan Bourne; the four surviving daugh­ters and the five sons-in-law. It was witnessed by William Bassett, Nathan Bassett and Cornelius Tobey. Sworn 8 April 1718 (ibid., p. 472).
[A] George E. Bowman, Editor of The Mayflower Descendant, notes that the grave­stone reads "1716." Oddly, the probate record gives the precise date (vide post). [The Rev. Richard1 Bourne of Sandwich, Mass. (c. 1610-1682) by Lydia B. (Phinney) Brownson and Maclean W. McLean, NEHGR 118-9, 1964-5]

  Noted events in his life were:

• Will, 9 Jun 1698, Sandwich, Barnstable, MA. ¹⁹⁶

Elisha married Patience Skiffe, daughter of James Skiffe and Mary Reeves, on 26 Oct 1675 in Sandwich, Barnstable, MA.¹⁹⁶ (Patience Skiffe was born on 25 Mar 1652 in Sandwich, Barnstable, MA ^34,196 and died on 25 Oct 1716 in Sandwich, Barnstable, MA ^34,196.)