Barbara’s family
John Kimball Sr
5 OCT 1631 – 6 MAY 1698 · 10th great-grandfatherJohn Kimball Sr. (5 October 1631–6 May 1698) was Barbara’s 10th great-grandfather. He was the son of Richard and Ursula (Scott) Kimball, emigrated from England to New England with his family, and lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He worked as a wheelwright, farmed extensively, and engaged in land transactions. Accounts supplied for this biography differ on his wife’s given name, describing her as either Bridget or Mary Bradstreet.
He came to New England with his parents and settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts. A published account identifies the family’s vessel as the Elizabeth in 1634. He remained in Ipswich for the rest of his life and died there on 6 May 1698.
John was a wheelwright by trade. He was also described as an extensive farmer and as a frequent buyer and seller of land; deeds recorded in Salem bear his name.
About 1655, he married a Bradstreet woman who had been born in England and came to New England with her parents on the same ship as John. The supplied sources disagree about her given name: one calls her Bridget Bradstreet, while another calls her Mary Bradstreet.
The account naming her Mary states that John and Mary (Bradstreet) Kimball had thirteen children, all born at Ipswich: John, who died young; Mary, who married Deacon Thomas Knowlton of Ipswich; Sarah, who married John Potter; Hannah, who died young; Rebecca, who married Thomas Lull; Richard, who married Lydia Wells; Elizabeth, born 22 September 1665; Abigail, who married first Isaac Estey and second William Poole; John; Benjamin, who married Mary Kimball; Moses, who married Susanna Goodhue; Aaron, born in January 1674; and Joseph, born 24 January 1675.
Historical context
John Kimball’s life in Ipswich combined skilled trade work, farming, and land dealing. The surviving description of Salem-recorded deeds indicates that his land transactions extended beyond his immediate household economy.
Sources & research
Genealogical and Personal Memoirs, by William Richard Cutter. Supplied Family Tree Maker notes state that John Kimball was born in Rattlesden, Suffolk, England, in 1631; was the son of Richard and Ursula (Scott) Kimball; settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts; died 6 May 1698; worked as a wheelwright and extensive farmer; conducted land transactions; and married about 1655 Bridget Bradstreet.
A Modern History of New London County, Connecticut, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1922. This account gives John Kimball’s birth year as 1621, identifies the Elizabeth in 1634 as the vessel of immigration, names his wife as Mary Bradstreet, and lists thirteen children.