The Family

There were different variations of spelling of the Prichard name. Records show Pritchett, Pritchard and Prichard. According to Dr. Roy's book, Quaboag Plantation, "The prefix "Ap" meaning "the son of," was added to the christian name Richard. Thus, William Ap Richard, became William Prichard, and a family name was established."

William Prichard was born in England 1617 and came to Lynn about 1636. He owned a house lot in Ipswich as of April 9, 1639. Their children were, John, William, Samuel, Mary, Esther, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Sarah.

William owned a large amount of real estate in Ipswich, was married and had 8 children in 1665. Its unknown as to why the Prichard family moved to the Quaboag Plantation. The Prichard family was the orginal group to arrive at Quaboag in 1665.

William Prichard paid 4 pounds for his lot on the hill. That was three times more than the going rate. The lot was probably more than 55 acres. His lot was located at the East end of the settlement on the hill, at the bend in the road.

Town Affairs

William Prichard served as constable in 1673 and 1674. On March 20, 1675 he was appointed Clerk of Writs by the Hampshire County Court. In 1675 he was a selectman of Brookfield.

The biggest commercial enterprise was the grist mill. John Pynchon built the first mill in on the plantation. He hired William Prichard, as well as other men to built the mill. Prichard was paid over 11 pound by Pynchon. Prichard made an agreement with Pynchon to be able to use the mill at liberty to grind his own corn.

Family Affairs

September 19, 1672 - Mary Prichard was married to Judah Trumble by Magistrate Pynchon. August 2, 1675 William Sr was killed at the ambush in New Braintree. Samuel died soon after at the siege of the fortified house. The Indians captured him, killed him and decapitated his head and mounted it on a pole outside the fortified house.

After the siege the Prichards relocated to Suffield after the siege of Brookfield. At that time Mary was 23 and wife to Judah Trumble. The unmarried daughters were Esther 21, Elizabeth 19 and Sarah 13; and son Joseph age 17.

Prior to 1690, a portion of the estate in Brookfield was sold to to Hezekiah Dickenson of Hadley. Dickenson sold the land to Stephen Jennings of Hatfield in 1693. Stephen Jennings purchase the home lot and 55 acres which was thr future site of Jennings tavern.

Please send comments to  rchickering@holycross.edu Created by Becky Chickering Copyright ©1999,2000