Genealogical and Personal Memoris of Worchest County MA Vol 1 by Crane: Richard Hildreth was an early settler in Cambridge and Woburn. Richard was admitted a Freeman to the Massachusetts Bay Colony on 10 May 1643. He was one of the founders of Chelmsford, MA and had a special grant of land in 1663 on account of having lost his right hand. "Massachusetts and Maine Families, Vol II, Hildreth of Dracut and Lewison" Shows Richard Hildreth came to Massachusetts Bay Colony sometime before 1642 with his wife Sarah and their two children. "The First Settlers of New England" Richard Hildreth, Cambridge, freeman 1642, was a petitioner for the grant of Chelmsford in 1653, where many of his descendants have resided. Sarah, his wife, d. 15 June 1644, and by another, Elizabeth, he had Sarah, b. 8 Aug 1648 "Guide to the Early Settlers of America" Hildreth, sometimes Hildrick: Richard Hildreth, Cambridge, freeman, 1643, had wife Sarah, who died 1644; by wife Elizabeth, who died at Malden, 1693, age 68, had Elizabeth, 1646, and Sarah, 1648. He was serg. of the grantees of Chelmsford, 1653; there had Joseph 1658; Persis, 1660; thomas, 1662; Isaac, 1663' besides Abigail, who married Moses Parker of the same. The father died at Chelmsford, 1688, age 83. "Hildreth Family" by Philip Hildreth Reade 1909 39 pages Richard's will dated 11 Feb 1686/7 and Probated 26 May 1693 Chelmsford, MA. Middlesex Probate Office of the Register, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., Mass. Probate Records 1692 to 1696. vol. 8 Pages 186--188. File No. 11971, No. 8004. Richard Hildreth, 1693. Probate Vol 8-185. Will Vol 8-186. Proved 26 May 1693 Quoted as written: "Know ye that I Richard Hildrith of ye towne of Chelmsford in ye County of Middlesex in ye Massachusetts Colony in New England, being aged, sick and weakly in body, tho sounde in mind, Judgement and understanding, taking into Consideration my own mortality, do here in make known my minde and will in the disposall of myself, and Estate that Remaineth to be my own to Dispose. First, I beqbeath my precious and Immortall Soul unto Christ yt hath Redeemed it and my body to ye Grave till Christ shall raise it. And for my beloved wife Elizabeth I have obliged my naturall son Ephraime Hildereth for her maintainance in all respects so long as shee remaineth with him: and as for my Sons and Daughters children god hath given to me I have discharged my duty in som measure in all respects so that they are disposed in marriage and I have doone for them all as I could but now my hand is as cut of because of inpotency and infirmyty I have been constrained to make use of what I hade for the relief of my self and my wife so that I have neither house nor lands to bequeath to them but after my decease credtors being payed and debts discharged what so ever shall be fond to be my estat I will that it be equally divided to all my children that each one may have a token of their fathers love after his death, they or theirs, and after my desease my son Ephraim shall pay or cause to be payed to my eldest Son James Hildreth out of his own estat the sume of twenty Shillings or one pound as a full fee and part or portion more than the rest of my children. I have betrusted my son Ephraim with the use of my estat whilst I live and after my death to execut this my las will and testament." witnesses: Peeter Talbott, John Butterick, Sarah Steevens, Ely Fostere,. Proved May, 26, 1693, and an inventory of £17:3:6 entered, the "prizers," Samuel Foster and Eliazar Brown, having listed the small possessions on May 19, 1693. There were "four Books at five shillings," two cows and a calf, simple furniture including the three chests, one being a wainscot chest, four chairs including a table chair, a few pieces of pewter and ironware and seven trenchers which would have been the wooden plates commonly in use.