William Sprague was born 1609 in Upway, Dorsetshire, England to Edward Sprague (1576-1614) and Christina Holland (1576-1651) and died 28 October 1675 Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts of unspecified causes. He married Millicent Eames (1615-1696) 1636 in Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Biography
In Prince's "Chronology" we find the following "Among those who arrived at Naumkeag are Ralph Sprague, with his brothers Richard and William, who were employed by Governor Endicott to explore and take possession of the country west ward. They traveled through the woods to Charleston, on a neck of land called Michawum, between Mystic and Charles rivers, full of Indians named Aborginians, with who they made peace." On February 10, 1634 the order creating a Board of Selectmen was passed, and Richard and William signed it.
William settled first in Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he lived until 1636. He then moved to Hingham, landing on the side of the cove, on a tract of land afterward granted him by the town, and he was one of the first planters there. His house lot is said to have been the best situated in the town. Many grants were made him from time to time. He was active in public affairs, and was constable, fence-viewer, etc. (taken form the SPRAGUE FAMILY found on usgenweb)
By 1636 William was a proprietor and in ensuing years received several grants of land. He served as a fence-viewer, constable and disbursing officer as well as a selectman in 1645. In February of 1673 he deeded a grant of land to his son, Anthony. He was one of seven members of the Prudential Committee in 1645. William made his will 19 October 1675, he died a week later, in Hingham MA, 26 October 1675.
Marriage and Family
Married by 1635, Millicent Eames, daughter of Anthony Eames; on 3 April 1635 Millicent Sprague was admitted to Charlestown church; she died at Hingham on 9 February 1695/6.
Children
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Alice Sprague (1592-1668) | |||
| Ralph Sprague (1599-1650) | 20 June 1599 Upwey, England, United Kingdom | 24 November 1650 Malden, [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts]|Middlesex County]], Massachusetts, United States | Joanna Warren (1603-1680) |
| John Frances Sprague (1601-1683) | |||
| Edward Spargue (1601-1633) | |||
| Richard Sprague (1604-1668) | |||
| Christopher Sprague (1607-1625) | |||
| William Sprague (1609-1675) | 1609 Upway, Dorsetshire, England | 28 October 1675 Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts | Millicent Eames (1615-1696) |
References
- Edward Sprague (1576-1614)/List of Famous Descendants
- Source: Great Migration Study Project
- Memoirs of Seth Sprague
- MainTour Duxbury