Robert Harrington was born 1 October 1616 in Somerset, England to James Harrington (1592-1630) and Ann Clinton-Fiennes (1595-1632) and died 11 May 1707 Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts of unspecified causes. He married Susannah George (1631-1694) 1 October 1649 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Biography[]
ROBERT HARRINGTON, born probably in England about 1616, died at Watertown, Massachusetts, 17 May 1707, aged 91 years.
He took the oath of fidelity, 1652, and was admitted a freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 27 May 1663, at which time he was undoubtedly a member of the First Church in Watertown, He was a proprietor of Watertown as early as 1642, and owned a homestall, "given him by Deacon Thomas Hastings" a kinsman or a generous patron.
He was a member of Captain Hugh Mason's Watertown Train Band, 1652, (local militia) the captain having been commissioned 5 May 1652; and Mr. Harrington served as Selectman of Watertown, fifteen years, between 1679 and 1700. (Society of Colonial Wars, Index of Ancestors, 1922, p. 221). Evidently he was a man of ability and highly respected by his fellow townsmen to be chosen so often for this important and responsible office. He was a mill owner and miller, and his house and mill were valued at £120, as shown by the original inventory of his estate.
Watertown Founders Monument[]
Watertown Founders Monument
He is listed on Watertown Founders Monument, commemorating the first settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts. The town was first known as Saltonstall Plantation, one of the earliest of the Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements. Founded in early 1630 by a group of settlers led by Richard Saltonstall and George Phillips, it was officially incorporated that same year. The alternate spelling "Waterton" is seen in some early documents.
Gravesite[]
Gravestine of Robert Harrington in Watertown MA.
Gravestone Inscription:
HERE LYES BURIED Ye BODY OF ROBERT HARRINGTON AGED 91 YEARS DIED MAY ye 11 1707
Burial: Old Burying Place, Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA Plot: 98
Marriage & Family[]
He married at Watertown, 1 October 1647, Susan George, born about 1632, died at Watertown, 6 July 1694, the daughter of John George of that town. (Watertown Marriages) (Harris and Savage says Oct. 1, 1648, see also record below)
- John Harrington (1651-1741)
- Daniel Harrington (1657-1728) -
- Benjamin Harrington (1661-1724) -
- Mary Harrington (1663-1716) - md Bemis
- Thomas Harrington (1665-1712) -
- Sarah Harrington (1671-1710) - md Winship
Children
Siblings[]
Vital Records[]
Watertown Gravesite[]
Gravestine of Robert Harrington in Watertown MA.
Gravestone Inscription:
HERE LYES BURIED Ye BODY OF ROBERT HARRINGTON AGED 91 YEARS DIED MAY ye 11 1707
Burial: Old Burying Place, Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA Plot: 98