Notes for Robert Ashley

Notes for Robert Ashley

!Much information found herein about Robert Ashley is from information by Barry Kistler (barlekis at cox dot net)

The records of Mr. Pynchon as quoted in "The Ashley Genealogy" (Towbridge, 1896), record the following instrument:
"August 7, 1641. Know all men that whereas there is a marriage shortely intended between the widdow Horton & Robert Ashly, both of Springfield. That the said widdow Horton in the prsence of Robert Ashly doth assigne & set over her house & house lott containing about eleven akers & 4 aker of woodland afore the house Eastward all wch is valued now at twelfe pounde: & all [soe] her hogges litle & grate wch are valued at eighteene pounde all together are valued at Thirty pounde, into the hande of Robert Ashly for the use & behofe of her two sonns one sucking and the other about three yeares ould caled Jarmy to be paid to them that is to say to eather of them fifteen pounds apeice when they shall come to the age of Twenty & one yeres."
There isn't any record of the actual marriage, but as The Ashley Genealogy points out, Robert married in 1641, his wife's christian name was Mary and widow Mary Horton disappears from the Springfield records shortly after the above insturment was witnessed.

Robert Ashley was adopted by Joseph Horton (b. 1754 in Mowsley, England) - his natural parents were William Ashley and Elizabeth Mary Schuyler.

The Last will and Testament of Robert Ashley dated October 9, 1679.
I, Robert Ashley, being aged and of infirme body but yet of sound minde and perfect memory doe now make this my Last Will and Testament. In the first place I doe comitt my Soul to ye care, grace and salvation of one God in three persons, the second person being incarnate, Who by His blood hath purchased it, trusting in His name for all that good of grace and glory He hath bought for His, having hopes only for His own sake and in His alsufficient mercyes, that He will at ye Resurrection of ye just reunite Soul and Body to enjoy a sinless state with Himself in that house not made with hands which He hath prpared for those who believe in Him. And my Body to such decent buriall as my friends and surviveing relations shall judge meete.
Nextly I doe confirme my deede of gift made to my beloved son Jonathan of lands, uplands, meadows on ye East side of Conitticut River all as in that said deede is expressed.
And to my beloved son Joseph I doe give all my lands on ye West side of ye sd River, that at Chickapy plaine and that over against the town plott on ye East side of ye sd River, and that below Agawame River, all these on the West side of Conitticut River. Also I doe give unto my son Joseph that lott I have this yeare bought of Major Pynchon, Esqr, lyeing and fronting on the lane that leades to ye upper wharfe on ye East side Conitticut River.
And to my welbeloved son David I doe give five pounds besides what I have given him alreadie.
And to my welbeloved wife Mary I doe give the full thirds of all the lands on both sides ye sd River, dureing the terme of her natureall life.
To my grandson John Ashley I doe give a colt.
And to the rest of the children of my beloved son David Ashley I do give ten shillings pr child.
And to the children of my beloved son John Root I do give ten shillings a peice.
And for the rest of my estate, all my debts being paid, and in particular that debt for the lot fronting upon the upper wharfe, I do give one third thereof to my well beloved wife during her natural life.
And the other two thirds to my son Joseph and my wife's thirds to Joseph at her decease, he being to pay her five pounds when she dyes, and in case my son Joseph dye without issue then this whole estate bequeathed hereby to my son Joseph I do order and bequeath to my son David and his children.
In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of October Anno: Dom: 1679.
Robert Ashley ?? his mark.
Signed sealed in ye presence of
John Pynchon, Sen.
John Holyoke."