7.Addenda - Bellsouthpwp.net

Page 335
T4. NATHANIEL 4 KIRBY, yeoman, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, born Dartmouth, Mass., date unknown, say
1705-1710, and died there before 21 Aug. 1748, when his will was approved. He married in Dartmouth, Mass. 25
Mar. 1731, Abigail Russell, born Dartmouth, Mass. 25 June 1712, and probably died there after 5 Nov. 1747, the
daughter of James 4 Russell (Jonathan 3 ; John 2 ; Ralph 1 ) and Rebecca Howland.
“Nathaniel Kirby of Dartmouth, Mass., born ?; married March 25, 1731 Abigail Russell, born June 25, 1712, daughter
of James and Rebecca (Howland) Russell of Dartmouth. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He probably died
early In the year 1748. In his will, dated Nov. 5, 1747, and approved Aug. 21, 1748, he speaks of himself as “being very
sick and weak in body,”; mentions his wife Abigail, his “two sons,” Weston Kirby and Justus Kirby, between whom
he divides the homestead farm, and “my three daughters,” Rebecca Kirby, Lydia Kirby, and Mary Kirby. Witnesses:
Benjamin Tripp, Nathaniel Tripp, Restcome Sanford.
The Dartmouth Town Records state that Nathaniel Kirby and Abigail Russell were published 2 mo., 22, 1730, and were
married 2 mo. 22, 1731, but the records of the Friends' monthly meetings in Dartmouth contains the original marriage
certificate. This states that they were married “the twenty-fifth day of the first month ((page 242)) called March in the
year according to English account one thousand seven hundred and thirty-one.”
As a matter of interest to the descendants of Nathaniel and Abigail Kirby, as well as on account of the signatures attached
to it, this certificate is here given entire:
“Whereas Nathaniel Kirby son of Robert Kirby of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol in the
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Abigail Russell the daughter of
James Russell of the town and County aforesaid, having declared their intentions of taking
each other in marriage, before several public meetings of the People called Quakers in
Dartmouth according to the good order used among them, whose proceedings therein after
a deliberate consideration thereof with regard unto the Righteous law of God and example
of his people Recorded in the Scriptures of Truth, in that case was allowed by said
Meetings, they appearing clear of all others and having consent of Parents and others
concerned. Now these are to Certify all whom it may concern that for the full accomplishing
of the said intentions this twenty-fifth day of the first month called March in the year according
to English account one thousand seven hundred thirty one, they the said Nathaniel Kirby and
Abigail Russell aforesaid in a public assembly of the aforesaid people and others, met
together for that purpose in this public meeting place at Dartmouth aforesaid, and in a
solemn manner the said Nathaniel Kirby taking the said Abigail Russell by the hand did
openly declare as followeth: Friends I desire ye to be my witnesses that I take this my friend
Abigail Russell to be my wife promising with God's assistance to be a loving Husband till
death separate us; and then and there in that assembly the said Abigail Russell did in like
manner declare as followeth: Friends I desire ye to be my witnesses that I take this my friend
Nathaniel Kirby to be my Husband promising with God's assistance to be a loving wife till
death separate us: and the said Nathaniel Kirby and Abigail Russell as a farther
consideration thereof did then and there to these presents set their hands; and we whose
names are here subscribed, being present among others at the solemnization of this said
marriage and subscription in manner aforesaid, as witnesses hereunto have also to the
presents subscribed our names the day and year above written.
Signed:
Nathaniel Kirby Lydia Allen Holder Slocum
Abigail Kirby Rebecca Howland Samuel Hall
Robert Kirby Reuben Allen Henry Hedley
James Russell Rachel Allen Peter Allen
Joseph Russell Mary Ricketson Benjamin Wing
John Howland Elizabeth Ricketson Daniel Russell
Benjamin Allen Joanna Mott Paul Russell