Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: KPWN-DL5
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 101329129
• Group: Immigrant Ancestors

Notes:

From FindaGrave:

Philip Rounsevell was born in Honiton, England, whence he came to America before 1704 and settled in Freetown, Massachusetts. He was employed in the cloth dressing mills of Captain Josiah Winslow. Subsequently he purchased a large tract of land at Furnace Village, East Freetown, where he erected a dam and a mill, in which he conducted for many years the business of cloth dressing. (A cloth dresser assembled yarns on a beam and applied a paste to the wrap to smooth down the filaments of yarn and increase stiffness before weaving.) (Gen. & Fam. Hist. of the State of NH, Ezra Stearns, v. 2 p. 904)

Sailing from either Torquay or Topsham in 1698 or 1700, Philip Rounsevell left Honiton, Devonshire, England to live in East Freetown (Assonet Village) Bristol County, Massachusetts. His personality emerges from the historical material as a shrewd businessman, a stubborn, independent thinker and a devoted grandfather. (Avis J. Kirsch, A Rounseville Chronicle)

Philip was by trade a clothier or cloth dresser, remarkably possessed with the faculty of "taking time by the forelock." He gained an enormous estate, completely disproportionate to that of any of his neighbors. His intuitive foresight taught him to go into the wild woods and select just the sites and tracts that became most valuable. One of his favorite plans was to purchase lands which others discarded as worthless. But when mill sites became wanted, Philip Rounsevell was found to hold the key to almost every stream, brook, or rivulet having an available water power, for miles around. Neighbors had laughed at his land that "would starve a grasshopper." In derision, they called his land "Skunk's Misery", and "Beaver's Paradise." But now this same land controlled mighty water supplies. (Ebenezer W. Pierce, The Peirce Family, p. 93-94)

He is the son of William, and a "clothier" or cloth dresser by occupation, came to New England prior to Dec. 25, 1704, the date of a letter from Philip to his father. He later, it is said, removed to the site of the later Malachi Howland house to go into business for himself and built the dam of the "Howland mill." He removed from Freetown about 1721 to near Hunting House Brook in Middleboro and thence to that part of Tiverton which later became East Freetown. He purchased there a large tract of land and built the mill dam at Freetown village, where on the site of the old cloth mill his children erected a blast furnace, a sawmill and gristmill and still later a sash, door and blind factory. (Representative Men and Old Families of Southeastern Massachusetts, p. 201.)

Philip's name appears in the following public records:
1708--living in the house of Lieut. Josiah Winslow
1710, Apr 11--Petit Juryman for Freetown
1712, Jan 9--called a cloth worker from Middleboro who bought of Benjamin Durfee of Tiverton, some land in Tiverton (now East Freetown) for 60 pounds.
1727, Sept 7--late of Middleboro, now of Tiverton, a clothier, bought of Joseph Wanton of Tiverton a piece of land for 100 pounds.
1728, March 4--for 220 pounds bought of Benjamin Durfee a tract of land in Tiverton called the Square.
1729, Sept 7--bought of Joseph Wanton of Tiverton a piece of Bolton cedar swamp for 6 pounds current money.
1731, Jan 22--bought of Stephen Blackmar of Rochester half a swamp lot in Tiverton for 12 pounds 10 shillings.
1732, June 14--bought of Joseph Blackmar of Rochester for 13 pounds half the 28th lot in Tiverton.
1735, May 1--bought of Jacob Hathaway of Freetown the other half of 28th lot in Tiverton for 20 pounds.
1736, July 13--bought of Thomas Church, Esq. of Little Compton a piece of land for 100 pounds.
1737, Jan 10--bought of Benjamin Durfee a piece of Bolton cedar swamp for 60 pounds.

Philip lived to an old age in the pursuit of his trade and calling. He was at one time the wealthiest man in Bristol and the largest landholder in the colony. By practice he was a shrewd schemer, and a keen calculator. He was often referred to as "King Philip." He was considered purse proud, arbitrary and overbearing. His children were to keep their good behavior or he would cut them off without a shilling. Philip left a large estate which was divided in 1765 by Capt. John Paul, John Crane, and Capt. Babbitt. In the Rounsevell Cemetary in East Freetown are the gravestones of Philip and his wives.

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KPWN-DL5

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101329129

Group:
Immigrant Ancestors of New England Halls

Phillip married Mary Howland about 1705 in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of Samuel Howland and Mary Sampson) was born in 1673 in Duxbury, Plymouth Colony; died on 8 May 1744 in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts; was buried after 8 May 1744 in Rounsevell Cemetery, Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LHTJ-ZW2
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 101328780

Notes:

From Findagrave:

Son of Philip & Mary Rounsevell
abt 1733 married Elizabeth Macomber

William Rounseville
Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials
Name: William Rounseville
Gender: Male
Death Date: 31 Jan 1744
Death Place: Freetown, Bristol, Massachusetts
Father's Name: Philip Rounseville
Mother's Name: Mary Rounseville
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B03765-4 , System Origin: Massachusetts-EASy, GS Film number: 1993524 , Reference ID: P 291
Citing this Record
"Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FH9N-V8Q : accessed 07 Oct 2014), William Rounseville, 31 Jan 1744; citing Freetown, Bristol, Massachusetts, reference P 291; FHL microfilm 1993524.

Other children:

Joseph Rounsevell aka Joseph Rounsival, Esq
b Jan 3, 1737, Freetown, Bristol, MA
m Nov 5, 1757 Freetown, Bristol, MA
Charity Spooner 1737-1766

April 1767 Bristol, MA
married Bathsheba Holmes
b 1743 Rochester, Plymouth, MA
d Jan 1772 Middleborough, Plymouth, MA

Apr 1, 1772 Braintree, Norfolk, MA
married Elizabeth Hayward
Sep 2, 1750 Braintree, Norfolk, MA

d Feb 22, 1796 Washington, Sullivan, NH

abt 1770 Joseph moved from Freetown MA to Washington, NH and was very influential there. His name is on Washington Town Hall.

Elizabeth Rounsevell Peirce
b Aug 25, 1743, Middleborough, Plymouth, MA
d June 9, 1790 Middleborough, Plymouth, MA
m May 28, 1761, Middleborough, Plymouth, MA
Capt Job Peirce
b Nov 29, 1737 Middleborough, Plymouth, MA
d Jul 22, 1819 Middleborough, Plymouth, MA

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHTJ-ZW2

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101328780

William married Elizabeth Macomber on 20 Feb 1731/32 in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island. Elizabeth (daughter of John Macomber and Elizabeth Williams) was born on 15 Mar 1715/16 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts; died on 3 Jan 1815 in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: 9KMD-C36
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 97717048

Notes:

From FindaGrave:

He was Captain in the Militia Military Service from 1751 to 1762 in Freetown Mass. Captain John Rounsevell owed his title to the fact that King George II (in 1751) conferred upon him the commission of Captain of the 3d company of militia in Freetown, an honor then seldom meted out save to scions of the first families. In his house were many ample apartments, with unusual convenience for the accommodation of travelers, and he became the tavern keeper of the settlement. The antique and elaborate signboard, preserved by a descendant, Capt. Marcus M. Rounsevill, of Freetown, shows that the gallant Captain was not above sharing that honor with his wife. The sign read, "CIVIL ENTERTAINMENT BY J. & S.R." (Ebenezer W. Pierce, The Peirce Family, p. 93-94)

He was a Sash and Blind manufacturer in Freetown Mass.

1731 married Sarah Holloway
b 1706 d Jan 1743
Children
Sarah b 1731 d Oct 25, 1774
Hope b 1735 d Dec 28, 1820
John b 1738 d Feb 1739

1745 married Sarah Spooner
b 1716 d Apr 28, 1793
Children
Mary b 1747 d Feb 15, 1761
Elizabeth b Mar 17, 1750 d Dec 14, 1813
Thomas b 1746 d Jan 31, 1826

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/9KMD-C36

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97717048

John married Sarah Waite on 2 Sep 1745 in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Waite, II and Mary Tripp) was born on 23 Sep 1713 in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island; died on 28 Apr 1793 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; was buried after 28 Apr 1793 in Rounsevell Cemetery, Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LZ4N-JS8
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 73739849
• Group: Descendant of Mayflower Passenger
• Group: Mayflower - Thomas Rogers
• Group: Veteran or Patriot of Revolutionary War

Notes:

From FindaGrave:

Levi Rounsevell was Captain of the only Freetown company of Minute Men "that responded to the call at Lexington Alarm, and he afterwards raised and commanded a company in the 9th regiment of the Continental Army." Nathaniel Morton, grandfather to Gov. Marcus Morton, was his Lieutenant in the company of Minute Men, and Henry, a younger brother of Capt. Job Peirce, was his Lieutenant in the 9th regiment of the Continental army. (War Rolls in office of the Secretary of State, Boston, cited by Ebenezer W. Peirce, The Peirce Family)

Per the History of Freetown: He was a Tory in 1768, but later became a Whig, and was captain of the Minute Men of Freetown who responded to the first call, known as the "Lexington Alarm," April 19, 1775. The roster of the company was as follows: Captain Levi Rounsvill. Lieutenants, Samuel Taber, Natt Morton: Sergeants, John White and Consider Crapo: Corporals, Joshua Lawrence and Seth Hilman. Privates, Philip Taber, Uriel Pierce, Benjamin Lawrence, Abiel Cole, Consider White, Jesse Keen,Jacob Benson, John Clark, John Braley, Percival Ashley, Ichabod Johnson, Michael Ashley, Seth Morton, Jeff Sachems, Israel Haskell, Louis DeMoranville, Abram Ashley, Charles DeMoranville, Aaron Seekel, Abner Haskins, Benjamin Runnells,Thomas Rounsvill, Peter Crapo and Joseph Hacket.

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZ4N-JS8

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73739849

Group:
Passenger or Descendant of the Mayflower

Group:
Descendant of Thomas Rogers of the Mayflower

Group:
Revolutionary War Patriot or Soldier.

Levi married Mary "Molly" Gouch after 1775 in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Mary was born on 30 Sep 1739 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died on 29 Apr 1809 in Milton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; was buried after 29 Apr 1809 in Rounsevell Cemetery, Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LCCH-SGD
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 138275227

Notes:

From FindaGrave:

Wife of Hon. Alden Spooner.
In her 64th year.

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCCH-SGD

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/138275227

Elizabeth married Hon. Alden Spooner on 5 Apr 1770 in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Alden (son of Judge Walter Spooner and Allathea Sprague) was born on 2 Mar 1749/50 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; died on 28 Sep 1844 in Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts; was buried after 28 Sep 1844 in Long Plain Cemetery, Acushnet, Bristol County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LT9N-T64
• Group: Descendant of Mayflower Passenger
• Group: Descendant of Revolutionary War Veteran
• Group: Mayflower - Thomas Rogers

Notes:

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LT9N-T64

Group:
Passenger or Descendant of the Mayflower

Group:
DAR or SAR Eligible Descendant of a Revolutionary War Veteran

Group:
Descendant of Thomas Rogers of the Mayflower

Frances married John Tobey on 2 Sep 1804 in Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts. John (son of Jonathan Tobey and Love White) was born on 31 Aug 1779 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts; died on 16 May 1816. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch ID: LCCH-SPD
• FindaGrave Memorial ID: 91334184
• Group: Descendant of Mayflower Passenger
• Group: Descendant of Revolutionary War Veteran
• Group: Mayflower - John Alden & Priscilla Mullins

Notes:

From FindaGrave:

Parents:
Alden Spooner 1750 –  1844
Elizabeth Rounseville 1750 –  1813

Siblings:
Ruth Spooner 1770 –  1856
Walter Spooner 1772 –  1808
Sarah Spooner 1774 –  1859
Jane Spooner 1782 –  1862

Spouse & Children:
Susan Elliot 1779 –  1846
Edward Pope Spooner 1803 –  1877
Walter Spooner 1814 –  1887

Spouse:
Elizabeth Pope 1780 –  1800

FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCCH-SPD

FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91334184

Group:
Passenger or Descendant of the Mayflower

Group:
DAR or SAR Eligible Descendant of a Revolutionary War Veteran

Group:
Descendant of John Alden and Priscilla Mullin of the Mayflower

Rounsevel married Elizabeth Pope on 22 May 1799 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Elizabeth (daughter of Judge Edward Pope and Elizabeth Ballard) was born about 1779; died on 6 Dec 1800 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts; was buried after 6 Dec 1800 in Acushnet Cemetery, Acushnet, Bristol County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rounsevel married Susanna "Susan" Eliot on 25 Apr 1802 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Susanna (daughter of Samuel B. Eliot and Elizabeth Greenleaf) was born on 19 Dec 1779 in New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts; died on 27 Apr 1846 in Acushnet, Bristol County, Massachusetts; was buried after 27 Apr 1846 in Long Plain Cemetery, Acushnet, Bristol County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]