THE BLOTT FAMILY
of ESSEX, ENGLAND and NEW ENGLAND

Generation 1
ROBERT BLOTT (mar. Susanna)

Generation 2
MARY BLOTT (mar. Thomas Woodford)

ROBERT BLOTT
Generation 1

ROBERT BLOTT was born about 1582 at Waltham Abbey in Essex, England. There are several Blotts in the early register of the town of Waltham Abbey, but the one “Robert” Blott found there was too young to have been the Robert who came to Massachusetts. The registers for Little Waltham and Great Waltham yield no Blotts.

ESSEX, ENGLAND and Waltham Abbey One of the “Home Counties,” i.e., those which immediately surround London, Chelmsford being the county town of this one. From its coastal waters come fish and oysters; from its fertile land, fruit and garden produce. Textiles and chemicals are important industries. Because of their proximity to London, the coastal and southern parts of the county were heavily bombed in World War II. Hitler failed, but much, much earlier Rome succeeded in rather quickly overrunning most of southeastern England by its legions, including what is now the county of Essex. Midway between these two military efforts came a successful second attempt and as one result, Waltham Abbey came to play a significant role in Britain's history. Essex seems to have had a discrete identity for some 1,400 years as it was a unit under King Ethelbert of Kent; a long history indeed. The “ham” ending of the name Waltham is a clue to its antiquity, for in Britain, names ending in -ing, -ham, and -ton are among the very oldest of Saxon names. Both a town and a church name, Essex is an urban district of London on the edge of Epping Forest, one of London's many suburbs. It can be reached by Highway A121. Nearby stands one of the “Eleanor Crosses” erected by King Edward I in 1290 in memory of his wife, Queen Eleanor of Castile. John Foxe, who wrote the Protestant account, The Book of Martyrs, lived here, as did the dramatist, Richard Sheridan, of the Restoration years. The Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St. Lawrence A long title, but this is the formal name of the Abbey, the central and dominating building in the town. It commemorates a 3rd century saint who played a role in the conversion of Rome. Tradition says that he was stretched out upon a gridiron, roasted, and dying, achieved martyrdom. The actual founding of a church here is to be found in legend rather than in history. The account is that a standard bearer of King Canute built a church as a resting place for a magical crucifix. To honor and to house it, Earl (later King) Harold built here an Abbey. It was consecrated on Holy Cross Day, 3 May 1060. The building now to be seen is the former nave of Harold's church, and is the oldest Norman church in Britain; "Norman" because these industrious builders from over the Channel transformed Harold's original building in their own style, but also because Harold's structure itself was erected after the Norman manner by this Saxon King. It is said that the Saxon King Harold, after his victory over the Norwegian, Harold Hardrada, at Stamford Bridge, on his way to the south, paused at the Abbey to pray for victory for his weary soldiers – victory over the second invading force, this one under the vengeful William of Normandy, intent on vanquishing Harold, whom he considered an interloper on the throne of England. Though King Harold repelled the Norwegian Harold, he was conquered in turn by William of Normandy. His body was brought back to the church he founded and was buried in it, though the exact spot is not known today. The marker is in the open air as the church is shorter now than earlier and that by about a half. The building you may see is the nave of Harold's Abbey. Gone are the crossing, the chancel and the apse. “St. Lawrence” was added to the name in 1242. In the violent days of Henry VIII the monastery was dissolved and orders given for its demolition. Much of it was destroyed but the people of the vicinity prevented its total razing.

Robert Blott, in his pre-Puritan days and perhaps later, was probably familiar with this venerable Abbey, so entwined with some of the decisive moments of England's turbulent history.

BLOTT IN MASSACHUSETTS
Charlestown and Boston

Robert Blott was married before he left England, but the name of his first wife is unknown. If she came to Massachusetts, she probably died within a short time for Robert apparently married again around 1635 [see below].

Robert first appears in records of Charlestown, Massachusetts, 2 April 1634. He was then a resident of Charlestown and owned a house there. He was made a Freeman at the General Court on 4 Mar 1634/5. The law stated that: “noe man shalbe admitted to the freedom of the body polliticke, but such as are members of the churches within the lymits of the same.” No church record has been found for Robert Blott in the Massachusetts Bay Colony for 1634. Evidently, however, he was a church member in accordance with the law.

MARRIAGE

Robert Blott, in Boston with others, was admitted to be a townsman on the 28 March 1642. Also, there exists the 19 Dec 1644 record of the First Church in Boston, the notice regarding Robert Blott and his second wife:

“Robert Blott and Susan* his wife upon letters of Dismission from the Church of Charle-Towne having declared their spirituall Condicion to the Elders in private at their private meeting”.

Susanna and her first husband, John Black, had joined the church in Charlestown on 4 Jan 1634/5. She was born in England. Black seems to have died rather early on for twice in Charlestown records, Robert Blott’s name has been written against that of Black, indicating that he succeeded to Black's lands, perhaps by marrying Black's widow. The early disappearance of Black from all records, and the fact that the wife of both men was named Susanna, make this inference almost certain.

No mention of Blott is found in Charlestown after 11 Jan 1641/2. He lived for a short time in Concord, Massachusetts, for on 29 July 1648, Robert Blott “of Boston” sold his house and land in Concord to “Sam’l. Stretton”. The Boston streets bounding his property on the east and north are now known as Washington and Winter streets and are in the heart of the business section.

Records in Boston and Charlestown have confused Robert Blott’s given name. In Charlestown it was written as “John” and in Boston as “Thomas” as well as “Robert”. As Robert was the only man with the surname Blott who was admitted to the First Church in Boston during this period and the only one who owned land in Suffolk County before 1680, it is believed that the entries for John Blott and Thomas Blott refer to Robert also.

With his wife, Susan, Blott was admitted from Charlestown to the church at Boston 28 December 1644.

In 1657 Robert was appointed sheep-keeper for the year; in May 1659 he was chosen cow-keeper for the year receiving 2 shillings 6 pence for every head; and in 1660, he was appointed cow-keeper.

Susanna Blott died at Boston on 20 Jan 1659/60.

The will of Robert Blott was made 27 May 1662. He died at Boston, Massachusetts, between March 27th and August 22nd, 1665 (the dates of the codicil to his will, and the inventory of his estate). Robert gave his house and lot to his daughter Sarah and her husband, Edward Ellis, who also was his Executor. His daughter, our Mary Blott Woodford, was not mentioned, but he directed Ellis to pay £3 “to my eldest Daughters Children, whose names was Woodford of Conniticott”. The inventory was taken on 22 Aug 1665, valued the house and land at £100, clothing, household furniture, etc., at £112-05-00.

ROBERT BLOTT'S WILL “27th of the third Month called May 1662" I, Robert Blott, Being in perfect memorye, Doe Make this my Last will and testament. I make Edward Ellis, my sonne in Law, Husband to Sarah, my Daughter, my Executor, and give unto him my House and the lot belonging thereunto, with all the appurtenances. Also my will is, that he pay my Daughters Children, whose names was Woodford of Conniticott, 3 (pounds). My will is that my sonne Edward Ellis, shall give to my dau. Tosiors children, 7 (pounds) and 3 bushells of wheate & two of Indyan Corne, besides, to her Eldest sonne, John Green, Cloth to make him a Coate. My will is that the said Edward shall give to my dau. Lovetts Children, of Braintree, 7 (pounds) and 3 bushells of wheate, and 2 bushells of Indyan, also to my sonne in Law, Danil Turins Children, 8 (pounds); - that my dau. Tosior, & my dau. Lovet shall have halfe the house hold stuffe equally Divided betweene them, and the other halfe to my dau. Ellis, also 3 bushells of Maulte to be Divided Between my three Daughters. Also to Daniel Lovett, my sonne in Law I give my Best Coate, in Witnesse whereof I have sett to my hand this 27th of the third Month called May 1662. I, Edward Ellis by god's helpe shall pay these Legacies, without Fraud or guile at or before twelve months after ye Death of my Father in Lawe. Robert Hall and Robert Walker, Overseers Robert Blott Witnesse, Robert Saunderson Alexander Baker CODICIL BOSTON, ye 27th of March 1665. Whereas since the time specified in my will on the other side, I have through god's Favour & Patience lived to expend the Corne of several Kinds then given by Legacye, my will is therefore that the aforesaid Legacies so far as related to the Corne, Do Cease and Determine. Also my will is that Daniel Lovetts eldest sonne have a remnant of Clothe, that I have my mee, besides that Clothe before mentioned. And further my will is that sicknesse and & Funeral charges be paid for out of my Household stuffe, and the Rest to bee as before is said to bee Divided. Lastly my will is that whereas I have given my house and Ground unto my sonne Ellis, my meaning & will is herein only this, that it is for the good & Benefitt of my Dau. Sara & the children of my sonne Ellis by her During their Lives or the surviver of them; but my meaning is not that it shall at all goe from him otherwise then for their Benefitt, & thereby of him in them. I also make my sonne & dau. Ellis Executor of this my whole will & heer unto put my hand being through Favour of competent understanding & memorye. The marke of Robert Blott Inventory of the estate was taken on 22 August 1665 by Alexander Baker, William Parson, Theophilus Frarye. Source: “Abstracts from the Earliest Wills on Record in the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts.” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 15/1 (January 1861) 73.

CHILDREN of ROBERT BLOTT and HIS FIRST WIFE

1. MARY BLOTT, was born in England, probably by 1615. She mar. between 1632 and 1636, Thomas Woodford.
   
   
2. A daughter, born probably by 1620; living 1662. She mar. first, a Green, perhaps Ralph Green, who had a son John born at Boston, 22 Dec 1642, and a son born January 1653/4. She mar. 2d, before 1662, (-) Tosher (Tosier).
   
   
3. Joanna Blott, born between 1620-1622 in England. She married bet. 7 Sep 1644 and 8 Jun 1645, Daniel Lovett, of Braintree and Mendon, Massachusetts.
   
   
4. Lydia Blott, born probably in 1625; died at Boston 23 Jun 1659. She married probably between 1645 and Aug 1646, Daniel Turell (Turin) of Boston. She died in 1659. Lydia and Daniel's youngest son, Samuel, was born 14 Jun 1659 and he mar. Lydia Stoddard.
   
   
5. Sarah Blott, born about 1631. She mar. at Boston 6 Oct 1652, Edward Ellis (born about 1621; died 23 Apr 1695 age 74). She died 1665 or later. Edward Ellis was the executor of Robert Blott's will.

MARY BLOTT
Generation 2

MARY BLOTT, was born in England, probably by 1615. She mar. between 1632 and 1636, THOMAS WOODFORD.

Go to the WOODFORD FAMILY

PRIMARY REFERENCES

Jacobus, Donald L. and Edgar F. Waterman. Hale, House And Related Families, Mainly on the Connecticut River Valley (Hartford, CT: Connecticut Historical Society, 1952). Under "Robert Blott", pp. 480-482. At SLC 929.273 H135j.

Knoff, Dorothy C. and Gerald E. Thirty-one English Emigrants Who Came to New England by 1662 (Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1989). Under "Blott", pp. 38-40; and "Essex", pp. 41-43. At SLC 929.273 Al53k.

SECONDARY SOURCES

“Abstracts from the Earliest Wills on Record in the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts.” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 15/1 (January 1861) 73.

Douglass, Penny G. “The English Origin of Robert Blott of Charlestown and Boston, Massachusetts.” The American Genealogist 67/2 (April 1992).
This article speculates that Robert may have been the son of an earlier Robert of Harrold, who left a will dated 3 Jan 1609/10. He mentions a wife Elizabeth, and sons William, John, Robert, Thomas; and daughters Marye, Alice, Edith (or Judith), and Joane. This article, and the subsequent one, "John Black of Charlestown Was Really Robert Blott", by Robert Charles Anderson, both concur that Robert had only one wife, Susanna Selbee.

Effingham de Forest, Louis. Our Colonial and Continental Ancestors (1930) pp. 50-51, for Robert Blott.

Hotten, John C., ed. The Original Lists of Persons of Quality 1600-1700.

Pope. Pioneers of Massachusetts". Under "BLOT (BLOTT)". Robert, Charlestown 1634, Freeman March 4, 1634/5. With wife Susan, admitted to church Boston from Charlestown 28 (10) 1644. Sold land at Concord gr. to Sam’l Stretton 29 (5) 1648. Daughter Mary married Thomas Woodford. Wife Susanna died in Boston Jan 20, 1959-60. Will dated 27 (3) 1662. Codicil 27 Mar 1665. Probated 2 Feb 1665/6.

Records of Massachusetts, for Robert Blott.

Roberts, Gary Boyd. Ancestors of American Presidents. Found within this book are lineage connections through Blott-Woodford-Sheldon to Presidents Grover Cleveland, Ronald Reagan, Harry Truman, FDR, and with Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales and her sons (p. 358).

Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England. 4 vols. (Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1994) pp. 205-6, for Robert Blott. See also 4:638f.

Shurtleff, N. B., ed. On Robert Blott as Freeman, see Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. Vol. I, 1628-1641 (Boston: William White, 1853) p. 370. A copy is in this writer's files.

Suffolk Co Mass., Probate Records, copy, vol. 1, orig. p. 456 (Robert Blott).

Starr, Frank F. comp. Various Ancestral Lines of James Goodwin and Lucy (Morgan) Goodwin of Hartford, Connecticut. Hartford, Connecticut, 1915. Vol 2: “The Family of Robert Blott” (here called: “Goodwin”), pp. 193-201. At SLC and Stockton Califorinia’s Cesar Chavez Public Library.

Virkus. Immigrant Ancestors, for Robert Blott.

Wyman. Charlestown [Mass.] Genealogy and Estates. Vol. 1 A-J, p. 94. For Blott: Robert, Inhabitant 1634 (wrongly called John or Thomas), married Susanna (-) who died in Boston 20 Jan 1659-60. Both admitted First church Boston 28 (10) 1644 or 1646. Estate: Garden plot next Walford. His possession referred to as “Blotts corners” near Eastfield 1638.

DATA FROM GENEALOGY.COM BLOTT FORUM Below are a few posts I found on the Blott Forum at www.Genealogy.com. Some of it could be right, much could be wrong. As time permits, I will be checking this information out from sources as yet unconsulted. I put them here as a matter of interest only. Mary Blott, born 1609 at Harold, Bedfordshire, England. She died 10 Jan 1660 at Boston, Suffolk co., MA. Married 4 March 1635. Children: Mary (1636), Hannah (1638), Thankful (1648), Sarah (1649), Joseph (abt. 1651), Nehemiah (1652). There are also listed 4 more unnamed daughters, born in the years 1642, about 1642, 1645, and about 1654. (Posted 3-11-2002, Willison). Mary Blott married Thomas Woodford, 4 March 1635, in Lincoln (England). (Posted 3-9-2002, Boone). Robert Blott, born about 1582 at Waltham, Essex, England. His father was John Blott of Ridgmont, England. His grandfather was William Blott, about 1525. Robert married Susannah Selbee (born about 1586; died 20 Jan 1659 at Boston). Robert Blott died 1 Mar 1663 at Boston, Mass. Among the children of Robert and Susannah were Mary Blott (born before 1609 in England). (Posted 7-10-2000, Moore)

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