Edward Erasmus Bobet

Wales, England

Taunton, Bristol, MA

Death Notes

Edward Bobet and King Phillip's War

   We have now come to that time of terror and disaster to the settlers - the uprising of the Indians, known as King Phillip's War. It can easily be imagined how many anxious hours were passed by Edward and Sarah Bobet, so far removed from the garrison stockade, with their large family of children. Judging by the quantities of Indian relics found on his home farm it would seem that it was a peculiarly favorite haunt of the Indians before Bobet bought it. Finally their position became too dangerous to admit of further delay and being warned of the commencement of hostilities, on June 25, 1675, they took refuge in the garrison at Taunton, leaving behind the home which had been the fruit of so much labor in the wilderness. We must depend upon tradition for the account of Edward Bobet's last hours. This tradition has been so faithfully handed down from generation to generation and seems so fully confirmed by his place of burial that there is no reason to disbelieve it. According to this tradition Bobet returned to his house to secure some necessary article - perhaps the cheese hoop, as the story says: he was accompanied by his dog in the thought that perhaps warning of prowling savages would be given by it. He secured the needed article and was on his way back to the fort when he became aware of his pursuit by Indians; he climbed a tree and was effectually hidden, but his faithful dog disclosed his presence and his life was the forfeit of his hazardous adventure. His grave is in a private yard, near Berkley Bridge, and is thought to be the spot where he was killed. The spot was marked by a bronze Memorial Tablet in 1911 - its cost being defrayed by small contributions from his descendants, from all over the United States and Canada.
   When he failed to return to the fort the searching party probably buried his mutilated body where it was found and later the old headstone was placed there, which is now in Historical Hall, it having been taken away from the grave in after years and placed on a stone wall near by. This old stone reads:
                                                                 "Edward Bobbett                                                                     Kld June, 1675."

General Notes

Children of EDWARD BOBET and SARAH TARNE are:

i. EDWARD BOBET, JR., b. July 15, 1655, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; d. 1732, Dighton, Bristol County, MA; m. (1) ABIGAIL TISDALE, February 01, 1682/83, Taunton, Bristol County, MA; m. (2) ELIZABETH THAYER, December 22, 1698, Taunton, Bristol County, MA.

ii. SARAH BOBET, b. March 20, 1657/58, Taunton, Bristol County, MA; d. Aft. 1715; m. (1) SAMUEL PITTS, March 25, 1680, Taunton, Bristol County, MA; m. (2) SAMUEL BLAKE, May 19, 1701.

iii. HANNAH BOBET, b. March 09, 1659/60, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; m. JOHN MACOMBER, 1683, Marshfield, Plymouth County, MA.

iv. DAMARIS BOBET, b. September 15, 1663, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; d. March 24, 1720/21, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; m. JOHN SMITH, 1688, Taunton, Bristol County, MA.

v. ELKANAH BOBET, b. December 15, 1665, Taunton, Bristol County, MA; d. December 22, 1735, Berkley, Bristol County, MA; m. ELIZABETH MACOMBER BRIGGS, June 25, 1689, Taunton, Bristol County, MA.

vi. DORCAS BOBET, b. January 20, 1666/67, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; d. April 09, 1674.

vii. ESTHER BOBET, b. April 15, 1669, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; d. November 15, 1751; m. EDWARD PAUL, August 23, 1693, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA.

viii. RUTH BOBET, b. August 07, 1671, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; m. SAMUEL CASWELL, 1701, Taunton, Bristol County, MA.

ix. DELIVERANCE BOBET, b. December 15, 1673, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA; d. Bef. January 1746/47, Taunton, Bristol County, MA; m. NATHANIEL HOLLOWAY, March 13, 1699/00, Taunton, Plymouth County, MA.
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   In preparing a sketch of Edward Bobet, the founder of our family, we are unable to find recorded much that throws light on his early years. The few items that are on record, however when considered together lead themselves in the formation of a presumptive account of his life, which seems to be reasonably sure to be correct. His appearance at Taunton when a mere boy, evidently possessed of means, can only be explained by the hypothesis that he came here in the company of near relatives perhaps as the step-son of one of the early proprietors of Taunton, whose name is withheld from us. In this connection the name of Jonas Austin suggests itself, it being he who sold Edward Bobet his first land in 1652 (before his marriage) and where he built his first house and brought his bride. Then, too, the Holloways and Hathaways could well be supposed near relatives from their close association with Bobet.

   The first mention of Edward Bobet on record in this country is at Plymouth, where under date of 1643 we find his name among fifty-four others in a list of those between sixteen and sixty years of age, who are able to bear arms. From this we know that he was over sixteen years of age at this date, and presumably barely that age since he does not appear in any earlier record of this nature.

   His next appearance is in the Plymouth Court records, the charge against him being an example of the strict discipline of those days:-

"At the Generall Court holden at Plymouth aforesaid, the sixt day of June 1649, xxx Presentments of the Grand Inquest. xxx Wee p-sent Edward Bobbit, of Taunton, for receuing pay for stollen wampon." xxx

   Upon the margin of the same page, against the name of Edward Bobet, and opposite the charge is the official entry "Cleared."

November 19, 1652, Edward Bobet bought his first land as shown by the following deed:-

FROM PLYMOUTH COLONY RECORDS.

This prsent writing made the 19th day of November Anno dom 1652, between Jonas Austin of Taunton within of New Plymouth in New England yeoman on the one pte and Edward Bobbett yeoman of Taunton aforsaid on the other pte witnesseth That the said Jonas Austine for and in Consideration of seaven pounds of Current New English pay to the said Jonas made, hath bargained sold alliened given Graunted; and by these prsents doth fully Clearly and absolutely bargaine sells, Give and Graunt unto the above said Edward Bobbitt a Certaine pell of land sett lying and being within the Plantation or Township of Taunton aforesaid on the Southsyde of the Great River between the land of Edward Rew; which lyeth on the one syde of it; and the land of William Parker which lyeth on the other syde of it, extending it self from the said Great River with those lands by which it is bounded; containing twelve pole in breadth and in quantity by estimation; six acrees broad more or lesse; To have and to hold the same pssell of land with all and singuiare the appurtenances unto the said Edward Bobbitt, his heires and assignes forever To the onely use and behoofe of the same Edward Bobbitt his heires and assignes forever; And the said Jonas Austine doth for himselfe and his heires and assignes Covenant and by these prsents promise unto the said Edward Bobbitt, his heires and assignes full quiett possession use occupying and enjoyment of the aforsaid prmises for the time to come without any trouble re'ga'tion or molestation whatsoever; In virtues wherof the said, Jonas Austine hath heerunto sett his hand and seale the day and yeer above written.

Signed, sealed and possession of the said prmises Given in

the prsence of Willam Parker.

PETER PITTS

The mark of A JONAS AUSTINE and a [seale].

This Conveyance was acknowledged by the man and his

wife this 23 of Aprill 1650 before us

JOSIAH WINSLOW

       WILLIAM BRADFORD,             Assistants.

Click here for details of Edward's family with Sarah Tarne