James Tiffany Sr.

Biography

James Tiffany settled on a farm at Attleborough after an earlier period at Swansea, both in present-day southeastern Massachusetts. The Tiffany family history dates the move to about 1690 and says that he built a house that remained in family use for generations. He was a son of Humphrey and Elizabeth Tiffany. His first wife, Bethiah, died in 1711; he subsequently married Elizabeth.

His will, dated June 28, 1732 and reproduced in the family history, provides a detailed account of the arrangements he made near the end of his life. Elizabeth was to receive the income from a third of the estate and the use of a room in the dwelling house. James appointed her and his son John to carry out the will together.

Three sons—Joseph, James and Samuel—were each left ten shillings. The small amounts were explained within the document: they had already received most of their portions. Benjamin was to receive one hundred acres at Ashford, in northeastern Connecticut. The will therefore distinguishes James's home at Attleborough from land he owned elsewhere.

The daughters received different cash legacies, while John and Noah received the estate subject to the other provisions. James required his two younger sons to pay the legacies when the youngest reached twenty-three. The youngest son's age therefore set the timetable for paying those legacies.

James died between the writing of the will and its probate on July 26, 1732. Elizabeth survived him and, according to the genealogy, married Andrew Grover in 1734. The will leaves a more precise record of James's household than the uncertain birth dates repeated in later memorials: a dwelling, land in two towns, earlier portions already delivered, and obligations still to be met.