Robert Sharp

Robert Sharp, whose ancestry is unknown (or not traced here), was born probably shortly before his baptism at St Mary's, Islington, Middlesex, England, 21 September 1617.¹ He died at Muddy River, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, July 1653.²

Robert married Abigail Wright, daughter of Richard Wright and Margaret (…), about 1642.^2,3

Jones cites the parish registers of St. Mary's, Islington for Robert Sharp's baptism. Bishop's transcripts for this parish are at the FHL (film #0413719) but the event does not appear in the IGI. There are at least two other Robert Sharps baptized in this time frame, so Jones' conclusions is questionable, although it does track with Woods' Historical Sketches of Brookline (1874).^4,1

Robert Sharp 20, is on the list of passengers (made from 4 May to 10 July 1635) in the Abigail being transported from London to New England, Richard [or Robert] Hackwell, master.⁵

Robert Sharp first lived at Dorchester, Braintree, Rehoboth, and finally, in 1650, he with Peter Aspinwall bought from William Colborne a large farm at Muddy River (Brookline).

After he died, his house and land were bound over to the court for the children's portions, the son to pay his sisters, as his father wished, the house and land to be wholly his. The estate totaled £172.

Abigail Sharp requested that Thomas Meekins and Peter Aspinwall be appointed trustees of the estate, and that John Sharp be placed in the care of Meekins to learn his trade, and Aspinwall to have charge of the girls, Abigail and Mary.^6,7

Robert died intestate. The inventory was taken 19 January 1654/55 and totaled £172 7s. 6d. with debts of £83 6s. 8d. £110 was real estate, consisting of "the house & land & meadow." Subsequent administration orders identify the children:
On 26 January 1654/5, the court ordered that the estate "is to be divided into three parts in the former order of the magistrates dated 26th July 54 the house & land as prized at one hundred & ten pounds is at the request of the widow & her friends set apart for the children's portion so far as it goes, the rest the widow is to make good, & the said land & house is hereby bound over to the court for the said children's portions, the son paying his sisters their portions, the house & land as the said Robert Sharpe his father desired is to be wholly his."

On 24 April 1656, the "Governor and Magistrates at Bostion ordered an "addition to the former order in reference to the division of Robert Sharp's estate. It is ordered on request of the former widow of Robert Sharp that Thomas Meekins and Peeter Aspinwall shall & hereby is appointed to take the children of the said Sharp's portions and to improve them for the best advantage of the son & daughters defraying all necessary charges for their clolthes & keeping, by letting the land and improving the rest of the estate belonging to the children to the best advantage. Later, Aspinwall and Meakins requested and adjustment to the terms, which was granted by the court, 31 Jan 1656/7.

On 15 April 1665, "Abigaile Clapp the relict and administrtrix to the estate of the late Robert Sharpe & John Sharp the eldest son" requested "that whereas the late Robert Sharpe left three children behind him in the year 1654, one son & two daughters Abigail & Mary, the son being 22 years of age, the eldest daughter about 17 years, the youngest daughter about 12 years & the estate of th said John Sharpe amounting to one-hundred seventy-two pounds seven shillings & 6 pence as the inventory given into the court in the year 1656 appeareth which by order of this court was divided into three parts one part to Abigail the mother the widow the other two parts amongst the tree children, the eldest to have a double portion, the children's parts to be in the house & land & these portions were committed per order of the court with the children to Thomas Meekinnes & Peter Aspinwall, the said Aspinwall to be allowed £5 per annum towards & for the bringing up the daughters & Thomas Meekinnes had the son to bring up to his trade who was also to have five pounds a year allowed to & for the benefit of the son. Now the son being of age & married & we the said Abigail the mother, John the son, Abigail the daughter having perused the accounts of the said Peter Aspinwall who managed the house & land & educated the daughters & found them meat & suitable apparel with all which we rest ourselves satisfied and humbly desire that this court would be pleased to discharge Peter Aspinwall & ThomasMeekinnes who have faithfully discharged their trust & that they would be pleased to order them to deliver yo the house & land & other estate portions of the said John, Abigaill & Mary to the said John Sharpe and to take this bond & engagement of the land & house for the payment of the sum of twenty-eight pounds odd money to each daughter as they shall come to age with fifty shillings apiece per annum as the increase thereof to the time & when he taking these receipts for their portions & increase to be discharged of that his bond & engagement & that Mary be at her mother's dispose as guardian." Peter Aspinwall then delivered his accounts for managing the Sharpe estate from 1656 to 1665 where were accepted and Aspinwall discharged.

Ten days later on 25 April 1665, "John Sharp son of the late Robert Sharp of Muddy River" gave his bond to pay "unto Abigaile & Mary his two sisters the full & just sum of twenty-eight pounds apiece in good & current pay as they shall attain their several ages."

In her own will, dated 28 November 1702, proved 13 February 1707/8, "Abigaill Holbrook of Scituate . . . left to
"my daughter Abigall Vorce" moveables
"my grandaughter Elizabeth Crafts" moveables
"my grandson William Sharp 12 shillings in money"
"my daughter Abigall Tilden" moveables
"Martha Buckmaster my graddaughter the sum of 12 shillings in money"
"my gradson Nathaniel Tilden the sum of 12 shillings in money
residue to be divided "between my 2 daughters Abigall Vorce and Abigall Tilden
"my loving son-in-law Stephen Tilden to be sole executor."⁶