August 30, 1720- Abigail Sisson, widow of William Tew and daughter of George Sisson & Sarah Lawton, dies at the age of 35 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island.
She had a sad life, full of tragedy and loss. In 1718, her husband had died, along with her father-in-law and two of her young children. I suspect this was due to the plague which raged through Europe in the years 1718-1720. Another son would die in 1723, leaving only daughters Dorcas and Sarah to survive into adulthood. Apparently, Dorcas was disabled, and Sarah went on to marry Caleb Arnold.
The following documents provide some insight into that terrible time:
Document dated November 12, 1731-
Acct. of Richard Tew, George Sisson & William Sanford, Executors of Estate of William Tew of Tiverton, 'who Dyed 5th 2 mo,' ... Mentions payments to 'Henery Tew Guardian to Sarah and Dorcas Tew,' & 'To the widdow Abigail Tew.' Includes item 'To the funeral Expenses of Two Children Abigail & Edward Tew who Dyed ye 11th & 22d of August 1718.' Payment for 'Time and Trouble Expended in Removing ye familey of Said Tew from Tiverton to Portsmouth.' Payment 'To Scholing Sarah Tew and William Tew 10 weeks.' Item 'then Received under my Care Dorcas & Sarah Tew by the Request of their mother who Departed This Life the 30 pf the Sixth month 1720.' Various items for tending for Abigail Tew in her sickness and paying for her funeral. An item to 'Richard Tew in money to pay his Sister Peckom.' An item to 'Anna the wife of Henery Tew for the Grave Stones for William Tew his Wife and Three Children.' Mentions "Sarah Tew Left my house to Live with her aunt Wrightington.' Item 'To the abode of Dorcas Tew from the thirteenth of September 1723 until the thirteenth of September 1731'
Rcpt. by Caleb Arnold of Newport and Sarah Arnold Lately Named Sarah Tew, for legacy from Est. of her father William Tew of Tiverton, as paid by Richard Tew, George Sisson & William Sanford, Execs, dtd. at Newport 7 March 1732/3. Also incl. 'all Satisfaction for the personal Estate of Abigail Tew widdow of the said Wllm Tew,' excepting for that portion reserved to support Dorcas Tew, dau. of said William Tew and an idiot.
(Abigail Sisson is my eighth great grandaunt.)
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