BIRD-L Archives

From: "Steven Bird" <>
Subject: Thomas Bird, apothecary of Braintree (d. 1661) identified as member of 4 & 20
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 17:15:43 -0500

Hello Birds,

I have been attempting to prove (or disprove) that the Thomas Bird found on
the Select Vestry (the so-called "4 & 20") in 1628 in Braintree, Essex,
England was perhaps a different person than Thomas Bird the apothecary of
Braintree, who died in 1661.

To that end, I sent off to the Essex Record Office for a copy of Thomas
Bird's signature from the minutes of the Braintree "4 & 20" and a copy of
Thomas Bird the apothecary's will of 1659, proved in 1661. I compared the
signature from the will (1659) with the one found in the minutes (1628).
Despite the passage of almost thirty years, the two signatures are
IDENTICAL. The identical appearance of the two signatures proves that
Thomas Bird the apothecary was also Thomas Bird, member of the 4 & 20.

It can be said, therefore, with 100% confidence, that Thomas Bird, the
apothecary, found in Colcester early in life (1615) and later in Braintree
(1632) is in fact one and the same person with the member of the select
vestry. It appears from a search of SEAX, at the Essex Record Office, that
this Thomas Bird may have been the only adult by that name in Braintree,
during the period in question. (1620's-1630's).

This is very disappointing to me personally, because it means that I have to
seek Thomas Bird, the immigrant to Connecticut (who d. in 1662) elsewhere.

Ah, well, back to the brick wall. At least we know now one more person that
he ISN'T. :-)


Steven Bird, DMA

This thread:

• Thomas Bird, apothecary of Braintree (d. 1661) identified as member of 4 & 20 by "Steven Bird" <>