The Minor Family of Somerset

In 1639 Robert Eldred entered into a contract of service (as wa
s the custom for boys of that Day) with Nicholas Simpkins and Th
omas Prence, "the latter topay four pounds per annum and a ew
e goat at the end of his ter...and ten shillings more claimed b
y Robert." He was listed to bear arms in 1643 in Plymouth wher
e he lived until he went to Yarmouth about 1645. There he marri
ed Elizabeth. He was constable in 1657. Later the family move
d and lived on a farm North of Oyster Pond in what is now West C
hatham on part of the propertydeeded to Elizabeth by her father
. The first estate inventory on record in Monomoit was that o
f Robert's estate and was typical of the average citizen oftha
t time. The inventory of his entire estate was valued at 316 po
unds.His wife Elizabeth, as a widow, signed an agreement wit
h her daughters Hannahand Martha, 16 Jul 1695, to share the pro
perty with their sister Bridget after her death. This was recor
ded as a will 3 May 1706.