Edward Ruggles Genealogy

Edward⁸ Ruggles (Edward⁷, John⁶, John⁵, Thomas⁴) was born in Roxbury, Mass., June 22, 1724, died in Montague, Mass., Dec. 25, 1797. He married in Pomfret, Conn., April 2, 1747, Ann Sumner, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Griffin) Sumner. She was born in Pomfret, according to its record, Sept. 25, 1724, and died in Montague, July 10, 1808.

In 1732 Geo. Sumner of  Milton died, and by his will gave his "eldest son Samuel all my land in Pomfret." But this Samuel was of Pomfret as early as 1723, as: "Samuel Sumner of Pomfret married Nov. 20, 1723, by Mr. Nehemiah Walter, Elizabeth Griffin of Roxbury." Edward Ruggles joined the church in Roxbury, March 3, 1744, and the next we know of him is the account of his marriage in Pomfret, April 2, 1747. Edward was a yeoman, or farmer, and resided in the west parish of Pomfret; known as Abington parish. When Edward went to Pomfret, about 1747, he found Joseph Craft, his mother's brother, with a large family of children, residents. It was one of these cousins, Samuel Craft, aged 33, 'who was with himself, aged 29, elected to be deacons in 1753, soon after the Abington church was formed. It is in the record of the church, that in 1782 they asked a dismission from the office, which was granted, and Mr. John Trowbridge and Capt. Samuel Ingals took the office. Ruggles and Craft were again elected in 1785, and probably held the place until the death of Craft in 1791, aged 68, and the removal of Ruggles in 1744, aged 70. The first Pastor of this church was Mr. David Ripley grandson of Joshua & Hannah (Bradford) Ripley of Windham: -the latter a grand-son of William & Elizabeth (Thaxter) Ripley of Hingham. He was pastor from 1753 to 1785. Walter Lyon was the 2d pastor from 1783 to 1826. Edward Ruggles married life in Pomfret was nearly coincident with this Abington church Society. Not much more can be said of Ruggles. As usual with farmers, in the course of years he bad bought and sold or exchanged parcels of land, probably mostly for convenience. Ruggles, Craft and Sumner were from Roxbury, with Roxbury associations; but in the west parish there were many of the heads of families who went there from various towns in Essex County, Mass., Andover being largely represented. Among the forty-two men who formed this Abington church, Ingals, Osgood, -Holt, Abbot were from Andover; Goodell (or Goodale), Shaw, Allen were from Salem, or their parentage was of these places; and Richard Peabody, particularly an Eastern name. Roxbury furnished, among others, three by the name of Lyon, two of Craft, two of Sharp, one of Griggs.

Edwards Ruggles' children, eight in number, were probably born in the west parish; five of them were baptized there.

They were:

1. BENJAMIN, b. Aug. 18, 1747, m. Elizabeth Durkee, her ancestors being of Windham 2d parish, and remotely, of Gloucester, Mass. He died July 10, 1794.
2. ABIGAIL, b. June 23, 1749.
3. SAMUEL, b. Feb. 26, 1752; d. Oct. 23, 17i8, in Killingly, Conn., leaving two sons, Ebenezer, b. Dec. 17, 1773, d. 1823; and John, b Feb. 3, 1776; d. Feb. 19, 1831, in Rutland, Vt., to which place he had removed in 1801. Hem. 1st, Polly Gould, 2d, Eunice Kingsley of Rutland, Vt.: m. 3d, Sally Beaman.
4. ELIZABETH, b. April 10, 1754.
5. ANNA, b. Oct 1,17i6.
6. HANNAH, b. Aug. 15, 1758.
7. EDWARD, b. April 3, 1763 ; m. June 6,1784, 1st Jerusha ------- who died Jan. 9, 1785, aged 25, leaving one dau., Jerusha, b. Dec. 31, 1784, d. 1815. He m. 2d, Sybil Taft, and had twelve children. He moved in 1794 to Montague, Mass., and with his family, probably Edward, Sen., and his wife, Ann (Sumner) Ruggles.
8. THOMAS.